1963 Honda Juno M85
A rare early automatic scooter

Registration No: XMW 821A
Frame No: M856331334
MOT: Exempt

• A very original, running machine
• One of very few examples that exist in Europe
• Registered with UK V5C

The Honda Juno first appeared in 1954 as the single-cylinder four-stroke Juno ‘K’. Honda’s first scooter model, it was designed to compete with the Fuji Rabbit and Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon. A very technologically advanced machine, it was one of the first scooters in the world to offer an electric starter and fibre-reinforced plastic body construction. Only in production for a year and a half, only 5,980 were produced before production ended.

In 1961, Honda revitalised the Juno name with the Juno M80. Again, technologically advanced, the Juno M80 was a complete departure from the ‘K’ and was much more modern. Now powered by a horizontal opposed twin-cylinder boxer four stroke engine which was mounted transversely behind the front wheel for optimum cooling and ideal weight distribution, it incorporated hydraulic tappets and was coupled to a variable-ratio hydraulic transmission. A twist-grip on the left handlebar altered the ratio. Initially only available in 125cc form, the engine was later enlarged to 169cc and the model was redesignated as the M85. Honda hugely overestimated the scooter market's appetite for complex and expensive machinery, and production of both Juno models had ceased by early 1964. Only 5,880 M80s and M85s were made. Not surprisingly, given its innovative new technology and necessary complexity, the Juno was not sold outside Japan and there are very few examples that made it to Europe.

Purchased by the vendor during a ‘scooter shopping trip’ in Belgium, this extremely rare Juno M85 was found to be in an extraordinarily original, running condition. Little is known about its early history other than that it was imported to Belgium from Japan as part of a collection of machines, however it has evidently been extremely well cared for during its previous life.

Imported to the UK immediately after purchasing it, the vendor immediately gave the rare Honda a service and used it to commute on for several months through London. Now registered and offered with a UK V5C, it is said to be in ‘good running order’ and would be a deserving addition to any suitable collection.

PLEASE NOTE: The registration number attached in the photographs is not the correct one.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430