Martin and CAS Honda CRF450
By TMX Archives on 9th Apr 08
Whilst Team Martin received four full factory bikes from Japan for Marc De Reuver and Julien Bill, CAS Honda have restricted their HRC input to specific parts, but this is no indication of a two-class society.
CAS team owner Harry Ainsworth: We each got the same budget and could decide how to spend it. Martin decided to buy complete bikes, but we felt we could spend it more effectively elsewhere. The dimensions of the frames are identical anyway, simply the factory frames have been strengthened and have a smoother finish.
The most obvious external expenditure by CAS is the full factory Kayaba suspension from Technical Touch Team Martin use Showa.
Amongst the HRC parts ordered by CAS during their visit to Japan at the end of last year are factory triple-clamps for Mike Brown, though Billy MacKenzie prefers and uses X-Trig
Magnesium casings and clutch covers, extensive use of titanium and billet for parts such as footrests, bolts and brake calipers are evident, and MacKenzie uses, as do the Martin team, a white magnesium carb; this has a weight saving and altered internals.
Paolo Martin said that the factory engines offered the complete package' with stronger, wider power. Both of his riders use the same factory triple clamp, and these are dialed in to the individual rider style by changing the angle at the head.