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1970 Honda CB750 K0

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: Per the comments, this bike later sold for $13,500. Post-Listing Update: This CB750 sold for $15,000 but was then relisted and then did not meet reserve at $11,100. Built by the multiple show-winning restorers at Vintage Motorcycle Rescue, this K0 CB750 is an excellent example of an early die cast CB.

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Japanese Harley – 1959 Rikuo VLE

In Cruiser, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: After being relisted, this Rikuo VLE did not meet reserve at $9,200. During the Great Depression, Harley-Davidson was on the verge of bankruptcy – partially due to the 1921 Safeguarding of Industries act which imposed a 33.3% tariff on American products like Harleys that were threatening UK manufacturers. Because this pretty much shut Harley out of the …

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1 of 500 – 1999 Yamaha R7 OW-O2

In Japan, Race by Abhi1 Comment

I think this is beautiful road bike to ever come from Japan, the Yamaha R7, also known as the OWO2. Right from the factory floor, it was a ready to race World Super Bike (WSB) racer with the trimmings (lights/signals/plate) necessary to make it street legal. Prices were incredible – with an MSRP of approximately $32,000, it was twice as …

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1987 Yamaha SRX250

In Japan, Sport by Abhi1 Comment

For decades, Kawasaki ruled the 250cc ‘sport’bike market – though Honda has recently taken a chunk of the market with their CBR250R. Honda also challenged the little Ninja in the 80s with the VTR250, though it did not have much commercial success. For one year in the States, even Yamaha threw their hat into the ring with the Yamaha SRX250.

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The Raider – 1968 Suzuki T-305

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Also known as the Raider, the Suzuki T-305 was a small two-stroke twin that produced 37 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and was capable of 94 miles per hour. Here’s a reasonably priced example that was recently restored – the only flaw is that the speedometer is broken. This bike has 28,342 miles and looks like a fun runabout with the …

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1983 Honda CB1100F

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: This CB1100F sold for $3,100. Built for just one year, the Honda CB1100F was a sleek looking standard that evolved from the 900F. In the process, it had tremendous performance – in January of ’83, Cycle World said it was the fastest stock bike they’ve ever tested.

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568 Miles – 1975 Yamaha DT125

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

With a 123cc two-stroke engine that produced about 10 horsepower, the Yamaha DT125 was a competent enduro. It was more capable than you’d expect because it shared almost everything but the engine with the DT175, so you got better components than the average 125. Here’s an example that looks almost new because it’s barely been ridden.

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1979 Honda CBX

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the late 70s, the big four Japanese companies kicked off a horsepower war by stuffing big engines into their usual frames, creating the notion of superbikes. When it came to Big Red’s turn, Honda decided to push boundaries and utilize their first 6-cylinder engine in a production motorcycle. Benelli actually beat Honda to the punch in terms of 6-cylinder …

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1992 Yamaha TDM850

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

1-17-15 Update: This TDM850 did not meet reserve at $3,050 last time around. But reader John K. just alerted me that nearly a year later, it’s back up for sale. Find it here with bidding up to $895 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $5,500 here on eBay. The Yamaha TDM850 is definitely an oddball…a well-rounded …

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Japanese Indian – 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter

In Cruiser, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After 21 bids on eBay, this Vulcan Drifter sold for $3,601. In 1996, Cobra USA created a show bike homage to the ’48 Indian Chief based on a Kawasaki Vulcan. It was so popular that it inspired a production model – the Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter. Indian experts will never confuse this for an original Chief, obviously, but …

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1969 Honda CL70

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Here’s a very pretty example of the Honda CL70 with 3,345 miles. The seller suggests it’s near museum quality and that it has a new piston and cylinder. Everything works without issues and there’s only minor flaws: a small rip in the seat and a crack in the left side engine cover. Find this CL70 (VIN: CL70108136) for sale in …

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Dealer Display – 1975 Suzuki RE5

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Suzuki called the RE5 the future of motorcycling, thanks to its innovative rotary engine and distinctive styling. This is the ’75 model, which had more interesting design characteristics like the ‘tin can’ instrument cluster. The ’76 (and final model) was a little neutered in an attempt to make the bike more conventional.

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1970 Yamaha HS1

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

A tiny ‘sport’ bike that incorporated Yamaha’s Autolube system, the HS1 was a 90cc twin with a 5-speed transmission. It produced 10.3 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and weighed just 196 pounds. This specific Yamaha HS1 was restored in 1997 and was featured in Old Bike magazine in 1998. Documentation of the restoration is available. Find it for sale for $4,000 …

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2 Miles – 1983 Kawasaki KE100

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

A diminutive dual-sport produced for 25 years, the Kawasaki KE100 was an evolution of the G5. I can’t argue that there’s anything tremendously special about the KE100 versus the competition, however this example is worth featuring as it’s a 32 year old bike with…1.8 miles. With the exception of the tires and battery, it’s claimed to be original. Find it …