BBR Motorsports pays tribute to a Motocross Legend with Custom CRF50 Bailey Replica
On the way home from the Indianapolis Dealer Expo, earlier in the year, Duane, Chris and Brent Brown, of BBR Motorsports, began to think about creating something in the spirit of those early 80’s factory Honda works bikes. The brothers always have more ideas than they do time, so it sometimes takes a unique sequence of events to make the idea jump to life. A few months ago the BBR team learned of some bad news about the health of motocross legend David Bailey. In a nearly instant response, Duane Brown said…”Lets build a bike for him.”
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The Brown Brothers quickly gravitated toward a vision that was deeply rooted in their childhood memories. This vision was to build a BBR minibike that paid homage to the early 80’s works bikes that the brothers Brown had plastered across their bedroom walls as kids. The very bikes that were piloted by legendary riders Bob Hannah, Johnny O’Mara and of course David Bailey. Those bikes were ingrained in the Brown Brothers DNA at an early age, played a pivotal role in their life choices and truly were the impetus for what was to come.
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It was that no-boundaries, no-limits approach to motocross bikes that forever changed the way Duane, Chris and Brent think. Duane reflected, “Honda was throwing enormous resources into those bikes and they were changing, modifying and customizing components all the time.” The big innovation push really sparked something in Duane and Chris and is reflected in their work to this day. Now they have an opportunity to say thanks to one of the riders who made these bikes come alive. So they set off to create a one-of-a-kind David Bailey factory Honda works replica based on the signature BBR CRF 50 minibike.
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Perhaps the biggest challenge was finding the exact paint specifications. Having the right industry contacts and a 20-year relationship with a local car paint supplier from the Mopar restoration days allowed the Brown Brothers to get the exact hue of early 80’s Honda red. True to the times, a custom blue seat was made from scratch and the blue number plates with the yellow #1 were created. Every detail was fashioned to reflect the look and feel of that genre right down to the original 1983 Sunline De Bruizer bar pad which was salvaged from a box of throw-away parts at a local motorcycle dealer. “Our lives revolved around visions of those works bikes at and early age. Not a day has gone by that we haven’t thought about those bikes. “ –Duane Brown
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With the spirit of an 80’s works bike fused into the form of a BBR 50, this tribute bike is complete. BBR has built scores of custom bikes over the last 10 years, but this one is perhaps the most meaningful to date. David Bailey is a motocross legend, icon of strength and perseverance and a dear friend to many in the industry. This one is for you David Bailey!
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David Bailey Tribute - Honda Works Bike Replica BBR CRF 50
Features & Technical Specifications:
BBR SuperPro Aluminum Frame With Custom Tahitian Red 1983 Honda Works Bike Paint
Custom Fabricated Retro Honda Swingarm with Retro Wrangler Decal
BBR E-6 Evolution 6” Travel Fork with Custom Magnesium Paint and Retro Showa Decal
Custom Blue Fork Boots
BBR Rear Disk Brake Kit with Custom made Retro Rotors
Custom Replica Front Disk Brake Kit with Custom made Retro Rotors
Retro Brake Lever Grip Tape
BBR Gold Aluminum Rims
Dunlop Tires
BBR XR/CRF 50 Aluminum Skid Plate
BBR Heavy Duty Foot Peg Mount
Carbon Fiber Tank Cover
Custom Painted Fenders & Shrouds with Custom Replica Sponsor Decals
Hand-Made Custom Retro Blue Honda Works-Style Seat
1983 Debruizer Bar Pad
CRF 50 Motor with Custom Retro Paint and Custom Retro Decal
BBR 88cc Flat Top Piston Engine Kit
BBR Big Bore Exhaust System with Custom Retro End Cap
BBR SuperShock by Elka with Silver Finish and Modifications to connect to Custom Swingarm