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1968 Hodaka Ace 100 MX Custom

In America, Japan, Race, Small Displacement by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

A company named PABATCO (Pacific Basin Trading Company) based out of Athena, Oregon negotiated with Hodaka Motorcycles of Japan to produce and market a series of dirt specific bikes in the early 1960’s. Wildly successful from the start, for about 10 years they were THE most successful American dealer. I just happen to know that you could go to Athena …

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1963 Yamaha YG1

In Japan, Small Displacement by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This YG1 sold for an opening bid of $750. You NEVER forget your first time. This could be pretty sappy. This is essentially my first motorcycle. Mine was a ‘64 T variant. In 1963 Yamaha introduced what would become their first American success, the YG 1. It had a number current state of the art touches such …

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1941 Shelby Whizzer

In America, Small Displacement by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

I got a brand new 26” Schwinn Bicycle for Christmas when I was 10 years old. By the time summer that year I was agitating for an auxiliary motor for it. I already knew the freedom that a Whizzer could provide. It is probably my earliest dream of being a motorcyclist. Made in Shelby, Ohio, the Shelby Bicycles were considered …

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1972 Confersil

In Less than 5k, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

8-16-2016 Update: A cool Portuguese website called Rodas de Viriato got in touch to let me know that this is a Masac 406/72 Tuxa, and that it was sold by Confersil. More information on the model can be found on their site. Confersil was a Portuguese motorcycle manufacturer that made a variety of small displacement two stroke bikes with engines …

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Baby Dream – 1964 Honda CA95 Benly

In Japan, Small Displacement, Touring by JoeLeave a Comment

Honda Motor Company’s first large-displacement (a relative term) motorcycles carried the Dream name, and were produced up to 305cc during the 1960s. The Dream 150 was available in the U.S market from 1960-66 and is more correctly referred to the CA95 Benly Touring or colloquially as the “Baby Dream,” a reference to its larger siblings of the time, the 250cc …

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1980 Yamaha Pocke

In Japan, Small Displacement by Abhi1 Comment

7-22-16 Update: Over a year later, the seller of this Pocke has taken a clue from commenter yrrah and reduced the opening bid – but will it be enough? Find it in Calexico, California with an unmet opening bid of $1,800 here on eBay. I’ve never heard of the Pocke, which this seller claims is hard to find outside of …