By the early 1970s, Honda had separated itself from its Japanese competitors and become the world's largest motorcycle company on the strength of its four-stroke engine designs. Yet Honda wanted to be a player in the booming U.S. motocross market, and at the time that meant two-stroke power. The blockbuster 1973 CR250 Elsinore was the result, used by team rider Gary Jones to take the AMA 250 national championship. It was followed a year later by the CR125, on which a young Marty Smith added another title to Honda's growing tally of off-road accomplishments. Showroom sales exploded.

The pace of development in motocross was brutally quick, though, and within two years the CR125's 4 inches or rear suspension travel was looking pretty skimpy. A redesigned chassis with moved-up shocks gave a competitive 7 inches of travel and the CR125 was back in the hunt. A coat of bright Honda Red paint on virtually everything except the motor announced the changes.

This 1976 Elsinore is unrestored and in lightly used shape, a rare find. It even retains its original low-mounted expansion chamber, almost unheard of as these were easily damaged in use. Likewise, the aluminum gas tank is amazingly undented and still has both its warning stickers affixed. A competition-only model, the bike is sold on a bill of sale.