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1970 Bridgestone GTO 350

In Japan, Sport by Abhi1 Comment

Post-Sale Update: As noted by reader Tom down below, this Bridgestone sold for $5,650 after 31 bids on eBay. The Bridgestone GTO 350 was the scrambler version of the absolutely incredible GTR, a bike that could leave 650 and 750cc bikes in the dust in the quarter-mile. What did Bridgestone think would be required to turn a street bike into …

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1972 Yamaha TR3

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

During the 60s and 70s, Yamaha offered racing versions of its street bikes for use by privateers and even Yamaha factory racers. The classic R5 provided the base for the Yamaha TR3, a David among goliaths that was the first 2-stroke (and smallest bike at the time) to ever win the Daytona 200.

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1978 Yamaha SR500

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: After 13 bids on eBay, this Yamaha SR500 sold for a very reasonable $2,801. The Yamaha SR500 has been a popular bike for decades, due to clean styling and a reliable single-cylinder engine. These traits have also led this bike to be the base for thousands of custom works, including choppers, dirt-trackers, and cafe racers. Here’s one that’s …

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1967 Marusho Magnum 500

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Marusho/Lilac was a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer that was constantly under the shadow of Honda. After peaking in the late 50s, the company went bankrupt in 1962. The company was brought back to life just a year later, free of debts and configured to specifically target the American market with a 500cc twin engine – quite large displacement for Japanese firms …

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Off-Roading with a Yamaha FJR1300

In Blog, Japan, Off-Road by Abhi1 Comment

From r/motorcycles comes this very impressive video of a talented rider who would ask, “who needs a GS?” The FJR weighs 637 pounds wet and doesn’t have what one would call tremendous ground clearance, so it’s a joy to see this rider at work. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it seems (at least from the end of …

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Championship Winner – 1999 Honda CBR600F4 Racer

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

During a quest to find a good RC51 to feature, I instead stumbled upon this Honda CBR600F4 racer and thought it was worth sharing because you can get a hell of a bike for your money. A former AMA race bike, this CBR spent the last few seasons with the current owner winning the Clubman Lightweight Championship and placing second …

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1990 Suzuki RGV250 V21

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Nowadays, the mention of a Japanese 250 usually makes on think of the Ninja, a solid learner bike that doesn’t normally excite the senses like other current motorcycles. But 20 years ago, Suzuki built a 250 two-stroke race-replica of its Gamma V-2 racer – good for over 50 horsepower in the narrow power-band. The Suzuki RGV250 was born, and it …

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1983 Suzuki Katana GSX1100

In Japan, Sport by Abhi2 Comments

Post-Listing Update: This Katana got no action at the asking price of $9,990. The Suzuki Katana is a very distinctive bike designed by Hans Muth (the fairing might remind you of a similar Muth creation – the BMW R65LS). In the late 70s and early 80s, Japanese manufacturers were selling standard bikes as fast as they could make them.  And …

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Sandcast – 1969 Honda CB750

In Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Were you a big fan of the Honda CB750 Prototype I featured back in February, but not so much of a fan of the $140k+ sales price? Well, here’s your chance to grab another Sandcast CB750 in the same color, but this time with a price that won’t require a mortgage. This CB750 (VIN: CB750-1004630) has 15,543 miles and looks …

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Homologation Special – 1992 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R K1

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R K1 was a special limited edition of Kawi’s ZX-7R used in AMA Superbike. Kawasaki enjoyed tremendous success in competitive racing with this bike, and plenty of that tech made it to the ‘civilian’ version. Required to produce 500 examples worldwide for homologation purposes, Kawi packed this bike full of features like 39mm Keihin flat-slide carbs, an …

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1988 Honda NX650

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

I’m a big fan of the Honda NX650, known as the Dominator in certain non-US markets. In fact, I bought myself a beater example of the breed to learn how to ride in the dirt with, and it was the first bike that I sold through this site (feels like much longer than a year ago). So when Bike EXIF …

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1990 Honda RC30

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Listing Update: This Honda RC30 was quickly pulled off eBay, final sale price unknown. The Honda RC30 is one of the world’s greatest homologation superbikes. Also known as the VFR750R, the RC30 was created so that Honda could race in the World Superbike Championship.

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1955 Toyomotor TB

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

4-14 Update: This Toyomotor is back up for sale with bidding up to $1,526 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $15,000. I don’t see it hitting reserve or the BIN price, so this is the last time I’ll update this bike for the immediate future. Find it here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: This Toyomotor TB did …