Posts tagged as “Dry Clutch”

Featured Listing – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750R Limited Edition!

Published January 4, 2023 by Mike

Update 1.31:2023: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Firing a shot across the bow of 2023 is our first bona fide Collector Alert of the New Year. Brought to us by RSBFS regular Bob, today’s Featured Listing is an ultra rare Japanese home market example of the much sought after Limited Edition GSX-R750R. Looking perfectly preserved, residing indoors for what looks to be its entire life span, and showing only 863 kilometers on those white-faced, metric clocks (a mere 535-ish miles for those of us that compute mileage in American), this is a wake up call for anyone who dreams of collecting. Born and bred for the race track with goodies and tech over and above the already stunning GSX-R of the era, the Limited Edition has gained cult status and remains a key model in a very exclusive blue chip collector club.

1986 Suzuki GSX-R750R Limited Edition for sale on eBay

Much has been written about the mighty GSX-R750 and how it revolutionized sport bikes and production racers in particular. But the extra “R” in the Limited Edition meant that these special bikes were homologation specials more sharply focused for the race track. The biggest deal with the Limited Edition relates to the transmission. A close-ratio 6-speed is mated to a dry clutch setup, which is lighter (thanks to its magnesium construction) and has less parasitic drag than the standard oil-bath variety. Flat slide carbs replace the base CV vacuum units, suspension was upgraded for track duty (including New Electrically Activated Suspension (NEAS) forks from the 1100), and the package was wrapped in a special fiberglass solo tail.

From the seller:
COMING OUT OF MY PERSONAL COLLECTION GLOBEMOTORCYCLES.COM OF OVER 120 VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES 🙂 GLOBE MOTORCYCLES

THIS IS AN AWARD WINNING, ALL ORIGINAL CONDITION ULTRA LOW MILES JAPANESE IMPORT 1986 SUZUKI GSX-R 1100 WITH ONLY 863 ORIGINAL DOCUMENTED KILOMETERS!! FLORIDA TITLE IN MY NAME.

ONLY A HAND FULL OF THESE JAPANESE IMPORTS EVER MADE IT TO THE US. THIS IS NOT THE RARE DOMESTIC LIMITED EDITION.

IN THE STUNNING MUST HAVE, HARD TO FIND FACTORY YOSHIMURA RACING BROWN OVER RED COLORS.

More from the seller:
MY FLAWLESS GSX-R 750 LIMITED EDITION HAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY ORIGINAL 4 INTO ONE EXHAUST, FACTORY ORIGINAL WINDSCREEN, FACTORY ORIGINAL FLAWLESS SOLO SEAT COVER, AND THE FACTORY ORIGINAL CARBURETOR WITH THE ORIGINAL AIRB BOX. SHE STILL HAS THE JAPANESE WRITING ON THE FRAME DECALS

THE ENGINE:
THE ENGINE IS ALL ORIGINAL AND HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FRAME AND NEVER BEEN PAINTED. SHE HAS THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST IN FLAWLESS CONDITION, FRESH ULTRA SONICALLY CLEANED AND OVERHAULED CARBURETORS.

THE FRAME:
THE FRAME HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE LABLES AND HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH AT ALL. ORIGINAL CHAIN AND SPROCKETS, CHAIN GUARD, TURN SIGNALS AND MIRRORS, GRIPS, ECT.

More from the seller:
THIS BIKE HAS BEEN IN THE CLIMATE CONTROLLED CARE OF 2 COLLECTORS SINCE NEW. HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE A HUGE PART OF MOTORCYCLING RACING HISTORY IN THE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND JAPANESE IMPORT COLORS.

I HAVE BEEN COLLECTING, RESTORING, REPAIRING, RIDING, AND RACING MOTORCYCLES SINCE BEFORE GRADUATING FROM AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE INSTITUTE “AMI” IN DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA IN 1980. I HAVE OWNED OVER 22 GSX-R’S BUT ONLY 1 OF THESE JAPANESE LIMITED EDITION 750’S I NEVER PLANED ON SELLING HER BUT I AM OUT OF ROOM. SO DON’T MISS OUT ON YOUR CHANCE TO OWN ONE OF MY AMAZING BIKES.

Over and above the rest of world Limited Edition, the Japanese home market LE model came with very distinctive paintwork, a 4-into-1 exhaust that deleted the heat shielding look, and lighting specific to the Japanese market. These bikes also added a fuel gauge to the cluster, but were otherwise mechanically similar to the exports. But there is no looking away from the striking paintwork on an imported LE, and today’s example is one for the ages.

With few miles, no observable blemishes, a long ownership history and a clean and clear title, this Japanese home market GSX-R750R Limited Edition looks to be as good as it gets. There is no doubt that when it comes to collectible Gixxers the LE is THE ONE to have, and the model has been outperforming market estimates as handily as the homologation market outperformed the competition on the race track. Bob has started the bidding low, with reserve in place. There is a Buy It Now that can be activated at the reasonable sum of $28,000. Located in Florida, this rare 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750R Limited Edition is deserving of a close up look, and a new home that will appreciate it as much as the seller obviously has. You can check out all of the details on eBay here, and Good Luck!!

The Limited: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Limited Edition

Published September 4, 2020 by Mike

When the boys from Hamamatsu decided to kick things up a notch from the GS series of motorcycles, they turned the sport bike world on its collective ear. The GSX-R series took a left turn at the intersection of air-cooling and water cooling, and created a hybrid oil & air cooled weapon that was faster and lighter than contemporary sport bikes of the day. The original GSX-R became an instant club racing favorite and owned the 750cc road racing class right off the showroom floor. It was that good. Suzuki was quick to notice and set up contingency prize money at many events, thereby promoting the GSX-R heavily for racing. Soon they developed a bespoke homologation racer of the model, specifically intended to compete at the highest levels. The rare and coveted model was known as the GSX-R750R Limited Edition. Only 199 examples were produced.

1986 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Limited Edition for sale on eBay

Utilizing air cooling externally and oil cooling internally, the GSX-R750 engine was lighter than new fangled water-cooling that required additional plumbing and liquids. By increasing the amount of oil held in the sump, by increasing the size of the oil cooler, and by utilizing oil jetting technology derived from the XN85 Turbo experiment, Suzuki was able to package up the inline 4-cylinder into a compact – yet reliable – arrangement. To compliment the engine, the GSX-R chassis was built up in aluminum (miracle metal for the era), providing stiffness and continuing to promote the lightweight theme. Full race replica bodywork replete with twin headlights gave the bike a unique profile. To all of this, the LE model further enhanced the sporting intent of the model: a dry clutch offering less rotating inertia, drag and overall weight; forks lifted from the bigger brother GSX-R1100 (which included Suzuki’s electronic anti-dive control); and the bigger bike’s wheels, brakes and tires to augment the already impressive cornering capability. In all, the LE was an even sharper version of the already potent GSX-R750, and today these are rare and coveted beasts.

From the seller:
1986 SUZUKI GSX-R750 Limited Edition SportBike. this is a real survivor, it has been on display at MOTORCYCLEPEDIA MUSEUM for the past 8 years. last ran when we brought it ot the museum. it has a few flaws as shown in pics. Yoshimura exhaust, Performance Machine Chicane wheels (stock wheels are included in sale ).FOX twin clicker rear shock. Great museum piece or Club Road Racer. A little TLC and a new owner is all it needs. Sold in “as is” condition.we are in the process of getting Paprework for the bike (lost) Buyer is responsible for pick-up and/or shipping of the unit. DONT LET THIS PIECE OF SPORTBIKE/ ROAD RACING HISTORY SLIP AWAY.

This particular example of the mighty GSX-R750R Limited Edition looks to be very clean and only lightly modified. Standard road amenities are still in place (lights, turn signals), although there have been some farkles added for performance. The Yosh exhaust is an expected component, and is definitely period correct. The PM wheels are interesting, but do not really change the bike (the seller claims the stock wheels come with the bike). The adjustability of the Fox shock is definitely desirable. The carbon front fender is non stock, as are the individual air filters – but both add some meanness and pizzazz to what is the least identifiable and least exotic homologation bike of the OW01/RC30 set.

Bidding for this bike has been pretty strong, and with 5 days or so to go the price is way below book value. At the current bid of just over $10k this could be a steal, but history shows that these usually cross the block for nearly double that amount. This one will be fun to watch and see, as the market has been acting as strange and the long road to normalcy and economic recovery is still ahead of us. Still one cannot deny that the end of summer sell off is well and truly underway, and some fantastic machines are flooding the market. Does this GSX-R750R Limited Edition make you itch to don some leathers and carve some corners like a club racer? Summer weather is still here in many parts of the country – better move quickly before this rare beast is gone. Good luck and stay safe!!

6 Responses.

Bantamweight Racer: 1981 Honda RS125RW for Sale

Published March 19, 2020 by Tad Diemer

Today’s Honda RS125RW might be a bit obscure for most of our readers, and is certainly older than the bikes we usually feature here, but a genuine Honda Grand Prix machine is certainly worth a look whenever one comes up for sale! This one has plenty of patina, period stickers, and an apparently rare dry clutch for less weight and extra noise!

Honda’s Grand Prix racing motorcycles were based around four-stroke engines until the two-stroke MT125 was introduced in the 1970s. The MT125 was replaced in 1980 by the RS125RW seen here, and that machine soldiered on until it was replaced in 1987. The significantly updated RS125 introduced in 1987 was eventually developed into the dominant machine more familiar to most of our readers.

Powered by a motocross engine borrowed from the RC125M, the RS125R’s liquid-cooled, reed-valve engine made 30hp from 124.9cc with a bore and stroke of 56 x 50.6mm. The frame was a twin shock, steel duplex design, had disc brakes at both ends, and weighed in at 170lbs dry. It wasn’t considered cutting edge when new, but it was reasonably successful in competition and Honda continued to develop the bike and its successors as an over the counter racing machine available to younger racers honing their skills.

From the original eBay listing: 1981 Honda RS125RW for Sale

1981 Honda RS125R-W located at our shop in Santa Ana, California. The pictures in this auction were taken at our shop in Japan. This RS125R-W is in very good condition for its age. Engine has a super rare dry clutch. The previous owner said he rebuilt the engine before it was put away many years ago. RS125R-W are very hard to find now. This bike is the best we have had for many years now. And the only one we have had with a dry clutch. Bike will come with a new windscreen not mounted to the bike. There are no spares with this bike. Bike is sold as is, no returns. Look at the pictures carefully and ask questions before you bid. Sorry, no Paypal on this item. Again, bike is sold with a bill of sale, no title. Bike comes with what you see in the pictures in this auction.

The starting bid is $6,995 with a few days left on the auction and no bids as yet. This one is obviously a bit of a gamble, since parts to keep one running will be difficult to source. The engine is said to have been rebuilt, but I’d be prepared for the worst if it was my money. Experts might have a line on what they might need to actually ride it, and this bit of Honda racing history would obviously make an awesome display piece for your living room or the lobby of a business, if you just want to show it off in all its period patina.

-tad

Rothmans Replica: 1991 Honda NSR250R SP for Sale

Published June 13, 2019 by Tad Diemer

Many Japanese bikes aren’t intentionally sexy, in the way that a Bimota or MV Agusta often is, and they often fall flat stylistically when they do try to put style ahead of function. Italian machines are almost gratuitously beautiful, full of details that don’t enhance the bike’s performance, they just make the parts more interesting to look at. But Honda’s two-stroke NSR250R SP isn’t that kind of bike. Introduced in 1988, the MC18 version of the bike was motivated by a liquid-cooled, two-stroke 90° v-twin with a cassette-style six-speed gearbox, with the SP or “Sport Production” version adding a dry clutch and Magtek magnesium wheels, along with fully-adjustable suspension.

At its heart, a motorcycle is lean and elegant, and should include nothing that doesn’t absolutely need to be there. That’s especially true for a lightweight machine like Honda’s NSR250R, where every extra ounce is an enemy of speed. Instead of swoopy fairings with exposed carbon fiber details like you’d see on something else, it just has simple, elegant bodywork to enclose the hard parts, channel air to the radiator, and improve the aerodynamics.

Instead of an Aprilia’s organic, sculptural frame, it’s just a pair of extruded aluminum beams with cast sections, light and strong. A cool “gull-arm” swingarm allowed clearance on the right-hand side for the exhaust and expansion chamber to tuck in close to the bike for improved cornering clearance. And all that elegant simplicity adds up to one of the best-looking bikes of the era. It just looks right.

Of course, the “elegant simplicity” goes right out the window with the Rothmans Replica. Subtle, it isn’t, but it works, and this is one of my favorite sportbikes of any period. Obviously, I’m not alone, and the NSR250R and Rothmans Replicas in particular are highly sought after, especially clean, low-mileage examples like this one.

From the original eBay listing: 1991 Honda NSR250R SP Rothmans Replica for Sale

You are bidding on a 1991 NSR250 MC21 with the Rothmans Blue/White livery paint scheme. I purchased this motorcycle from Moto2 Imports in February of 2017 with 8,050 kilometers (5,002 miles) on the odometer. Moto2 Imports brought the NSR250 in from Japan and completely refurbished it. In the 27 months I have owned it I have only put 335 kilometers on the bike and all those miles were mainly for dialing in the correct jetting for my high-altitude riding in Colorado. The NSR250 is in perfect condition and has been stored in my heated garage along with all my other motorcycles. In addition, I installed a 3M clear bra on the upper and lower fairings. All the fluids are fresh and the battery is in great condition as it is hooked up to a trickle charger/conditioner that also desulphanates the battery. I have reluctantly come to the decision to sell my NSR250 for two main reasons, 1) My knees just can’t take the relatively cramped riding position, and 2) I have 4 other motorcycles competing for my limited riding time in the summer months and the NSR250 just won’t get ridden much and it is just doesn’t make sense to me to own a great motorcycle like the NSR250 if it is not going to be ridden as I am not one to just have a motorcycle to look pretty on stand in my garage.

Please note the NSR250 is titled in the state of Colorado and it is also currently registered in the city of Denver. It is the winning bidder’s responsibility to check with their local state, county and city of residence to ensure the NSR250 can be registered there. I will be glad to answer any questions or provide any additional photos if desired

The winning bidder is responsible for all shipping charges, but I will be glad to assist with the pick up on my end. I can recommend a couple of motorcycle transport companies I have had good service from in the past if desired.

This example is in very good condition, and has covered only 5,210 miles from new. As the seller mentions, you should check with local laws if you plan to register this for road use, as they vary pretty wildly from state-to-state. It’s good that the seller is selling because he isn’t interested in a display bike, as these machines were built to be ridden. But I think we can all agree that, if you did want a bike to adorn your garage or living room with some two-wheeled art, the Rothmans Replica would make a great candidate!

-tad

7 Responses.

Terra Racing Replica: 1989 Honda NSR250R SP for Sale

Published January 6, 2019 by Tad Diemer

When you mention “race replicas” the phrase tends to conjure up images of lurid colors and graphics freed from any need for subtlety or adherence to an aesthetically-pleasing color palette. Or is that just me? Maybe just me. Anyway, as much as I personally don’t tend to be a huge fan of them, there are obviously exceptions: I love the Rothmans and Repsol designs, in spite of their unsubtle styles, and MV’s Reparto Corse graphics are pretty cool as well. Of course, the vivid colors and striking graphics obviously serve an important purpose: to help draw attention to what are essentially rolling billboards for the sponsors who pay big money to have their names and logos slapped on these speedy machines. This Honda NSR250R SP Terra Racing Replica is surprisingly subtle, however.

The NSR250R was Honda’s standard bearer in the two-stroke sportbike class that was hotly contested pretty much everywhere but the US, where vast distances, straight roads, emissions legislation, and licensing requirements [or lack thereof] meant that the class is virtually unknown to the mainstream biking community these days. The original MC16 version introduced in 1987 set the tone for the series, with a 90° v-twin, alloy twin-spar frame, RC powervalve, PGM electronic ignition, and giant-killing performance.

Of course, competition from Suzuki, Yamaha, and later Kawasaki were pretty killy as well, and the intense competition saw the bike quickly evolve into the MC18 in 1988 and the MC21 in late 1989, followed by the final MC28 that came along in 1993. This appears to be a late MC18 R6K, the middle-child version of the bike, since it lacks the larger headlight and distinctive “gull-arm” swingarm of the MC21, and the SP denotes the “Sport Production” version that came with a trick dry clutch and Magtek magnesium wheels, along with fully-adjustable suspension.

Power from the 249cc engine would have been rated at 45hp for Japanese-market bikes, but bikes intended for foreign markets and de-restricted versions can make much more. Even in restricted form, the NSR is pretty quick, with less than 320lbs wet to push around, although two-strokes require quite a bit of work to extract the available performance. If you’re interested, top speed is around 130mph, but that’s not the point of the bike. Find a tight racetrack or a set of canyon curves that would tie even a modern literbike in knots, make sure you eat a light breakfast to save a couple pounds, and spend a Sunday morning worshiping at the Temple of Lean.

From the original eBay listing: 1989 Honda NSR250R SP Terra Racing Replica for Sale

Up for your consideration is a 1989 Honda NSR250 SP TERRA RACING. This bike is all original minus the full Jha exhaust system, and stainless steel brake lines. From the factory the bike is equipped with a HRC dry clutch, magnesium wheels, and a fully adjustable suspension. The bike sounds amazing and starts first kick every time. The bike has been fully deregulated and runs absolutely great and is extremely quick despite the cc size. All fluids have recently been serviced as well as two new spark plugs. Please view all images as this is a 30-year-old original bike with minor imperfections.The bike was legally imported into the United States and I do have a clean and clear Arizona title as well as a full set of aftermarket stock plastics still in the bubble wrap. I do encourage all bidders to please come and view the bike in person, or send someone on your behalf to inspect and view the bike. Please don’t hesitate to email for more information as well as pictures videos of the bike running if needed.

Bidding is currently up to $5,900 with the reserve not met and very little time left on the auction. There are some minor chips in the decals and paint, and some aftermarket farkles like the steering damper, brake lines, and the front brake rotor buttons are obviously not original and are of questionable taste, but simple enough to change or remove. Although they are surprising, considering the claimed [and indicated] miles. Regardless, it is a clean-looking bike and worth a look if the reserve is set at a reasonable point.

-tad

One Response.

Feeling Lucky? 1998 Suzuki RGV 250 SP VJ23 Lucky Strike Edition

Published November 9, 2018 by Mike

Hmmmm. A grey-market two stroke. I doubt anyone on this site will complain, as these illicit smokers have been in our DNA and part of our regularly scheduled programming since the beginning. And if you are going to collect something deliciously rare, why not opt for colors and livery that are slightly less common? Thus, today’s smoking example is just that: a tasty Suzuki RGV 250 SP in the very striking Lucky Strike edition colors.

1998 Suzuki RGV 250 SP VJ23 Lucky Strike Edition on eBay

The Suzuki RGV 250 should need no introduction. But just in case you’ve just jumped over from more current four stroke machinery, let’s whisk you back to a time when the BackStreet Boys and NSYNC were topping charts. What the world needed was something that sounded good, and the two-stroke soundtrack delivered. Based around a 90 degree v-twin, the second generation RGV represented the ideal mix of narrow packaging, perfect primary balance, and a wide-ish powerband. It was so good it was licensed by Aprilia for their excellent RS250 series bikes. This was a major leap forward from the archaic parallel twin formerly known as the Gamma, but there was more to come. Enter the VJ23 spec Gamma, and the world once again changed. 90 degrees gave way to a 70 degree vee configuration (better packaging and weight distribution), and unrestricted power was up to an estimated 70 HP. These were primarily Japanese home market bikes, so unrestricted expect to see about 40 HP on the dyno.

The RGV250 SP is technically a race replica, however it is in many ways race ready. A performer in the ultra competitive 250 home market class, the VJ23 has everything you might expect (and need) for the racetrack. Aluminum frame? Table stakes. Cool banana swing arm to maximize pipe and cornering clearance? Child’s play. Dry clutch for weight and internal drag reduction? I can hear the rattle from here. Adjustable suspension is another given, as is the solo saddle. Two-up racing is for side hackers only. Outside of the power and speed restrictions and the necessary road gear (lights, horn, etc) there is very little keeping this bike from being a track day hellion. And given that it is the last variant of the 250 Gamma lineup – as well as wearing the ultra rare LS livery, this example wins on drool factor as well.

From the seller:
Suzuki RGV250 SP VJ23 Lucky Strike
RGV 250
10,581 Kilometers (approx. 6500 miles)
Clean title
Plated and titled for street use in Washington State, but was originally titled in California, and is eligible for re-registration and street use in CA. Tabs will need to be updated for the street.
Excellent condition
Full custom fabricated exhaust, titanium slash-cut rear sets– everything else completely stock.
Good tires, fluids, new battery
Runs perfectly, lots of power!
Cosmetics are excellent, with a few minor wear and tear scratches– she has been ridden, loved, and never raced.
Unrestricted Suzuki 2 stroke motor.
Engine top end was rebuilt at approximately 2500 KM 😉

Here is the tricky thing about grey-market bikes in the USA: It’s way cool to be different, but it’s not always easy. Vehicles that were not officially imported into the US by the manufacturer are not guaranteed to be welcome at your local DMV. California is especially draconian about rules, unless you “know some guy.” The seller states that this bike was a previous Californian, and that would smooth the way back into the state but I am not familiar enough with vehicle registration laws in order to concur. If you are interested – and you should be, given that this is a freaking Lucky Strike VJ23 – additional research would be recommended. The seller also does not have much feedback on eBay which can be concerning, but giving the benefit of the doubt many folks have one of something to sell and may not be a habitual vendor on an online swap meet platform such as the ‘Bay. As always, RSBFS recommends you do your homework as a buyer. We can highlight the amazing bikes in the ether of the interwebs, but buying one is still caveat emptor.

Most good looking, late model two strokes do not stick around for long. They are in high demand and short supply. This particular example looks to be very clean. There are few mods (exhaust and rear sets – and possibly a tail chop) and the seller claims it is de-restricted with a top end refresh only some 1500 miles ago. The bike is currently sitting with approximately 6,500 miles on the all metric clocks. There has been some interest by bidders, with pricing at the time of this writing up to $7,100 with reserve still in place. Well-heeled collectors can pull the “buy it now” trigger for a mere $12,750. If the reserve lifts at the double digit threshold this bike could be considered well bought. It is late in the riding season and interest is starting to wane, but good bikes are out there for those on the lookout. This 1998 Suzuki RGV250 SP Gamma in wonderful Lucky Strike red/white might be just the thing to keep you warm as the days turn chilly. Check it out here, and good luck!!

6 Responses.

Featured Listing: 1996 Honda NSR250R SE for Sale

Published May 2, 2018 by Tad Diemer

Update 5.2.2018: SOLD in just over 12 hours! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

For the most part, we try to post up the very best, most unmolested examples of rare and interesting sportbikes for sale. But once in a while, we color outside the lines a bit and share something more personal, something customized to very specific taste. This Featured Listing Honda NSR250R SE obviously isn’t completely original, a kind of Frankensteinian build that could have been a mess, but for the incredible attention to detail and quality componentry that’s gone into it. This resto-mod starts with the basic bones of the last of the breed, the MC28, complete with a stylish single-sided swingarm and electronic ignition, then uses later suspension components and more modern bodywork to create a what if kind of machine.

Honda’s NSR250R MC28 was one of the most technologically-advanced two-strokes ever built. Sure, it ran carburetors in an era where injection was the fueling method of choice for top-shelf sportbikes, but Honda didn’t skimp on the gadgetry elsewhere: ignition was via the aforementioned PGM-IV ignition system that created different, three-dimensional maps for each individual cylinder based on the throttle position, engine rpm, and gear selection. The MC28 also used “smart cards” instead of a key to start the bike. These cards included preloaded ignition maps, and you could exchange the standard card for a race-only unit to bump the power up from the government-mandated 45hp. The downside? The HRC cards with the race maps are nearly impossible to come by now if you don’t already have one.

The aluminum beam frame and 249cc liquid-cooled two-stroke v-twin were pretty much standard for the class, but the NSR added a cassette-style six-speed gearbox and their own variation of the class’ de rigueur power valve, here called the RC Valve, for more user-friendly power delivery. The SE version used as the foundation of this bike featured a rattly dry clutch for additional racebike credibility. Per the description, the engine in this example been built to a very high standard using quality parts and the included dyno sheet backs up the seller’s claim of 61hp at the rear wheel. The suspension is new, with an Öhlins shock out back and a revalved CBR600RR fork up front, complete with much more modern brakes. Those radial front calipers might even be overkill, considering this probably weighs more than 100lbs less than the donor bike, which would already have had superlative stopping power.

And then there’s the styling. If you’re a purist, you’ve probably already scrolled past this one, having noticed the comments section disabled. But for everyone else, the results are pretty stunning, a bit of the old and a bit of the new. I’m not generally a fan of rolling billboards, but it’s hard not to love the Rothmans graphics seen here. I’m particularly glad that the builder was selective in terms of applying aftermarket bodywork to this build: I love the sleeker tail section, but Tyga’s squinty headlight arrangement looks contrived, so the traditional single lamp seen here looks more NSR-y and a great bridge between the two styles.

From the Seller: 1996 Honda NSR250R SE Edition (Dry Clutch)

Bike is complete restoration with HRC 030 card derestriction tuned to 61HP, stock air box with oil injection still intact. Engine was completely rebuilt with dynamic balanced crankshaft from Falicon, new Koyo OEM crankshaft bearings. Engine has all new gaskets, bearings, and seals, top end is fresh with 140 PSI compression in both cylinders. Lower cylinder has upper cylinder head for centralized spark plug location for more efficient burn, similar to HRC style head. Jetting HRC style jet kit from T2 racing with carbon fiber reeds and HRC reed stuffers, Tyga air box lid for more air volume with new OEM air filter. Over 10 hours of dyno time, tuned perfect and runs amazing with 61HP, bike runs and drives flawlessly, no flat spots with crisp acceleration. Tyga stainless exhaust chambers with carbon fiber short silencers. Has new EBC clutch and heavy duty EBC clutch springs.

Has SPAL electric fan setup wired to toggle switch for additional cooling. Tyga carbon fiber Frame and Swingarm covers, frame and swingarm are in excellent shape with no damage. Has Tyga similar type of rear sets. New Dunlop 120/70/17 & 160/60/17 Q3 tires. Comes with all OEM original parts included in sale with OEM original fairings. HRC 030 derestriction PGM IV with wire splice to run HRC 030 card.

2009 Honda CBR 600RR front end, radial mount calipers, with Tyga Triple tees, steering geometry stays the same with this setup, front forks rebuilt with new valving and springs set up for NSR. Rear shock is Ohlins, suspension is amazing, bike handles perfect, much better than stock configuration. Wheels are OEM NSR wheels powder coated white, front calipers are stock OEM 2009 Honda CBR 600RR with HH sintered pads with Galfer brake rotors, OEM 2009 Honda CBR 600RR radial pull front brake master cylinder. Rear brake is 84mm Brembo caliper, new Brembo matching pads with Tyga rear brake mount system with braided steel brake line. New DID gold chain and Tyga sprockets, 16/41 gearing. After market body work with Tyga rear tail section and subframe, all painted to match Rothman paint scheme. Has LED head/tail/turn signal lights included.

Bike comes with Tennessee title with matching VIN number. I promise you will not find another better built NSR in the world, I spared no expense on this build, I have already sold one on this site and customer loves it, you may contact him for reference, I will provide information if needed. $21,000 or best offer .

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If you’re searching for a museum-quality collectible NSR, you should look elsewhere. If you’re in the market for an affordable daily rider, this isn’t the bike for you. But if you want something that answers the question “what if Honda kept building the NSR into the next decade?” A bike that combines the best of the old and the new with optimized two-stroke character and performance, updated suspension, and a more modern style, you’d be hard-pressed to build something like this for the $21,000 being asked.

-tad

Featured Listing: 1990 Gallina Hayashi Quattro 750 LE for Sale

Published April 11, 2018 by Tad Diemer

Update 7.3.2018: These bikes are sold and headed to their new owner. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Writing for this site, it’s very rare I come across a bike that has me completely at a loss. I’ve got a great memory for weird motorcycles: Swallower-built Moto Guzzi with a girder front end and chain drive? Oh yeah, familiar with those. Wow, that’s a Morbidelli V8? You mean with the original Pininfarina style, or the redesigned bodywork? Hey, look: a Dan Gurney Alligator in the flesh! I’ve only ever read about them… I’m generally at least passingly familiar with a pretty wide range of weirdo machines, even if I couldn’t write a post about all of them without doing some research. But today’s Featured Listing Gallina Hayashi Quattro 750 LE? That’s a new one on me.

Digging around the interwebs, there’s not much out there about the bike that doesn’t require Google Translate. No surprise, since just ten were supposedly made, and this listing includes two of them! The overall look of the Quattro 750 is “Japanese Bimota”: the bodywork has a very late 80s YB7 vibe, and the hybrid trellis frame with machined aluminum side plates has hints of both the early SB and later YB models. No real surprise, since the bike was styled by Roberto Ugolini, who had a hand in several famous Bimota designs, including the Tesi 1D.

So who was Gallina Hayashi? Well the better question is, “Who were Gallina and Hayashi?” Roberto Gallina was a motorcycle racer who rode for several different Italian brands and went on to manage teams in Grand Prix and endurance racing, before moving into boutique road and race bike design. He was the brains of the project. The financial brawn came from Yoshiyuki Hayashi, a well-heeled and very passionate car and motorcycle enthusiast who wanted to fulfill every gearhead’s ultimate dream: built their own vision of the perfect motorcycle.

The engine appears to be based on, or is at least inspired by, the Suzuki GSX-R750 as it uses a very similar cooling philosophy. The bike eschews water-cooling to save weight: the cylinders are air-cooled and the head is oil-cooled, although the fins on the Quattro appear to be more pronounced than on the GSX-R. Cases were magnesium to further reduce weight, and the Gallina Hayashi Quattro replaced the conventional timing chain with more precise gears to drive the camshafts. A dry clutch and six-speed gearbox from Suzuki put the claimed 130hp to the ground.

The initial production run of ten bikes proved to be the only production run, and all were hand-built, with slight variations between individual examples. Some were fitted with carburetors, although probably not the Keihin FCRs seen here. Other bikes were supposed to be equipped with fuel injection, but I’m not sure if any actually were actually built that way.

Honestly, there’s more information in the customer’s original post than I could find digging around the internet.

From the seller: 1990 Gallina Hayashi Quattro 750 LE for Sale

VIN#: A00007

Amongst all of Mike Canepa’s motorcycles, the most exotic and best storied bikes are the two Hayashi Gallina’s that he purchased from Rob Iannucci 20 years ago.

A brief back story of Roberto Gallina includes him as a team rider in the day for Benelli, Ducati and Laverda followed by team management in GP and Endurance Racing and onto design and production of numerous one off Superbikes and Race bikes out of his factory in La Spezia, Italy.

Yoshiyuki Hayashi was a Japanese well funded investor, owner of the Fuji Track, with deep support of different Japanese motorcycle and car teams and his own Grand Prix Motorcycle Collection. His dream became designing and producing his own motorcycle, turning to Gallina in Italy to express his vision. A quote of his was,

“Everyone is free to have a dream, however big it can be. How can a man without a dream be attractive? Once you, however, speak of it in the presence of others, you must make it come true with your efforts”

His is a fascinating story and for another time. This is about the ten motorcycles they created together, two of which sit in our shop for sale, the Hayashi Gallina Quattro 750 L.E. . Their mission, to create a motorcycle that ‘must be faster than the Japanese bikes and more fascinating than Italian motorcycles in old days’. Things were humming along very well when the Japanese economy collapsed in the “Great Recession” of 1990. Hayashi was deeply affected and was forced to withdraw his financial backing immediately, leaving only the ten motorcycles completed before the program imploded.

It is a pretty involved story about the creation the design and technical aspects of the bike and to be frank, I am not up to the task. There is a very well written article by Alan Cathcart in the November, 1990 issue of what I assume is Cycle that covers all of this in detail. We have a copy of the article that will go along with the bikes. To be frank, we are selling the bikes and in that context, history and details are too beyond my capacities to be correct or accurate. Buy the bikes, get the articles for free, become the expert!

So, the bikes ended up with Rob Iannucci of Team Obsolesce back in the early 1990’s. I have a bill of sale hand written on a scrap of paper showing frame number A00002 being sold for $60,000 in 1994. I do not know if that is when Mike got that bike and frame # A00007. It is not reflected anywhere in any of the paperwork that we have. What I was told by Mike was that he took A00007 to Carey Andrews in California and had Carey install the Gallina design dry clutch and flat slides. The odometer shows 18,064 kilometers. The A00002 bike shows 178 miles. There is no way to be certain either figure is accurate or actual.

What I can see and know about the bikes is that the engine was based on an air cooled Suzuki 750 with chain driven camshafts. Gallina recast the cases, the cylinders and the head, converting the camshaft drive to gear drive instead. The Trellis frame is obvious but the low mount rear shock with rising rate spring has to be seen by looking under the motorcycle. Looking over the images you can see all of the billet, machined components on the frame and steering assembly. After all, these were hand made, one off motorcycles. The best way to know what the bike is about is to look over the images.

And now they are for sale. A brief history since Mike owned them. They were not carefully stored. Nothing Mike had was carefully stored. The body work is scared and chipped from being moved around his shops over the decades. We spent some time cleaning A00007 but did not touch A00002. A00002 is missing the throttle control and front master brake cylinder and the body work is in rougher shape then A00007. Also, the ECM is held to the rear sub frame by electrical tape. Neither bike has a battery nor have we made an effort to start them. The fuel tanks smell terrible and we have no idea of the oil’s condition. What also comes with the bikes is a spare set of cases, cylinders and head as can be seen in the images. Everything that is included with the bike is shown, nothing more is available that we are aware of.

Each bike has an Oregon title of ownership reflecting the VIN number stamped in the frame by Gallina. A00002 and A00007. We do not know the mechanical condition or if all of the parts that made up these motorcycles are here. What is being sold is what is being shown. Stated mileage is what is being read off of the gauges mounted to the bikes and we are not stating that to be actual or accurate. What we are stating for a fact is that we have two of the ten bikes built for sale. You be the judge of what is here. But what an opportunity, a once in a life time chance to own something this special, this rare and this beautiful. The task is not for everyone, only for the individual who knows what he is looking at, knows what has to be done and has the same dream as Hayashi-san to make it happen.

The selling price for both bikes and the spare parts is $30,0000. Oregon titles of ownership will be supplied. For other interesting bikes and collectible vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com 541-479- 8888 or come by and see us at 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.

So neither bike is perfect, and both will require a mechanical refresh before they’d be ready to ride. But aside from the bodywork, I’d expect the rest can be repaired or replicated, and $30,000 for the pair sounds like a pretty fair price, considering the rarity. Sure, neither have any sort of legitimate racing history or proud factory lineage. But the Quattro’s creators certainly had credibility to spare and, if you ever had the nerve to actually use one in anger, I expect they would perform as well as any of the homologation specials that grace our pages.

-tad

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