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1982 Yamaha Seca XJ550

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

It would be easy to assume that the engine in the XJ550 was just a destroked 650, but that ain’t fair. It was almost an all-new design, with a 6-speed transmission, chain final drive, and a new cylinder head with Yamaha’s YICS system that enabled 50+ mpg fuel consumption. It was a solid mid-sized motorcycle with a love it or …

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Nice Price – 1982 Honda Ascot VT500

In Japan, Less than 5k, Standard by Abhi6 Comments

Named after Ascot Park, a former flat-track raceway in Los Angeles, the Honda Ascot (also known as the VT500) was a V-Twin standard that was styled after flat-track bikes. I used to think the front headlight looked silly, and in the process I unfairly over-looked the Ascot. It didn’t sell well, but owners are passionate about this bike – an …

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1975 Kawasaki Rickman CR900

In England, Japan, Sport by Abhi1 Comment

Post Listing Update: This Rickman did not meet reserve despite 39 bids up to $25,000. There’s a lot to like about this early Rickman kit. It’s powered by the engine from a Z1 that was rebuilt at 1,105cc with 10:1 compression ratio, with a claimed 125 horsepower at the rear wheel. It’s got all of the invoices and paperwork going …

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1968 Honda CB350

In Japan, Standard by Abhi2 Comments

Introduced in 1968, the Honda CB350 became Honda’s best selling model when it was released – in its first year of production it was the best selling motorcycle in the world. Even though over 250,000 were sold in just five years, here’s one of the first 200 examples that rolled off the line.

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$2,800 – 1983 Suzuki GS1100E

In Japan, Less than 5k, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the early 80s, Suzuki knocked off the CBX as the superbike du jour. The Suzuki GS1100E came into the market and instantly became the bike of choice for the power hungry. American press mags constantly raved about not just the power, but also the surprising handling abilities for such a large bike. The shame for Suzuki was that this …

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1989 Honda CB-1

In Japan, Sport by Abhi4 Comments

The Honda CB-1 was a wonderful mid-sized standard in a time of replica racers. Originally built for the Japanese market, it was a beautifully balanced motorcycle that lost out in an American market that was obsessed with having as much horsepower as possible.

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Nice Price – Restored 1987 Honda VFR700F2

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

For a few years in the US, Honda was importing a VFR700 in conjunction with the legendary 750 to get around the “Save Harley” tariff. But by ’87, Honda stopped shipping the big brother, and in ’88 and ’89 they stopped sending over the VFR in any displacement. Here’s a final year example of the second generation VFR, which is …