Posts by tag: Japanese

Honda February 18, 2019 posted by Aaron

OG Race rep: 1981 Honda CB1100RB

It’s hard to fathom exactly how far motorcycle design has come in the last 38 years without a concrete comparison. I could spill superlatives and adjectives for the next 600 words and still not touch it. Instead, please Google “Ducati Panigale V4R” and compare what comes up to the bike you see here. I’ll wait.

1981 Honda CB1100R for sale on eBay

With that out of the way, consider that these two machines are versions of the same thing, but separated by a generation. The 1981 Honda CB1100RB was, at its birth, the scariest thing your dentist could afford. With precious few concessions made to comfort or practical daily use, it was, as the Panigale is now, built for well-heeled enthusiasts to see how fast they could mess their leathers.

Even by today’s standards, the thing is pretty stout. The big, air-cooled four pushes out 115 horsepower -- as much as a late ’90s Honda Civic -- but weighs less than your fridge. On terrifying, narrow early-’80s rubber, there is absolutely no need for more. It will still out-handle, out-brake and out-accelerate your feeble mortal mind.

To earn its ‘R’ badge, the 1981 Honda CB1100RB eschewed a pillion seat, gathered a long list of lightened engine internals and bigger carbs, and got air-assisted forks and prodigious brakes. Modern reviewers still rave about how seamlessly the whole package works, and how eagerly the bike goes, stops, turns, and eats tires, chains, brakes and sprockets.

This example appears to be in excellent, clean condition, despite having close to 50,000 kilometers on the dial. The seller provides little detail, but says it runs as it should and retains its original exhaust.

From the eBay listing:

For sale

Honda CB1100R B type

very rare bike

very good condition, runs perfectly

Original exhaust

Recent service, New tyres and brakes

French registration

The asking price is a shade under $15,000, which is in keeping with similar models we have seen over the years. With fewer than 1,100 of these beasts produced, the price gets you a bike you will not see at Cars and Coffee or your local ride in.

Yamaha February 3, 2019 posted by Aaron

Smoky half-pint: 1991 Yamaha TZR250

Of the plethora of loud, high-strung Japanese two strokes that have come of age to be street registered in this country over the last couple years, the Yamaha TZR250 tends to enjoy a reputation as one of the friendliest and sweet-handling bikes of the bunch. They don't come with the same banshee wail as a Suzuki RGV250, and they're not the whole package like the Honda NSR250, but they fit a Goldilocks role, with comfy ergos, semi-friendly power delivery and Yamaha's famous handling.

1991 Yamaha TZR250 for sale on eBay

In bottled-up street performance trim, the TZRs won't set your pants on fire, but aftermarket exhausts, computers and jet kits are getting easier and easier to come by. There are myriad importers kicking around these days who will gladly sell you a pile of go bits if your two stroke isn't buzzy enough.

This 1991 Yamaha TZR250 is in typical shape for a recently-imported grey-market machine that has had almost 28 birthdays. It has a few minor dents and a cracked tail fairing, as well as some spots of corrosion. Those would need to be addressed along with the paint on the wheels for this one to be called perfect, but it's in very nice shape as-is for a rider. The seller says he never cleaned the carbs and the tires are old, so either get prepared to do that yourself of budget the repair into the purchase.

From the eBay listing:

This is an EXTREMELY RARE 2 stroke motorcycle that was not available in the US due to EPA regulations. This bike was originally a Japanese Domestic bike that was imported to the US and has a clean Florida title. This bike was ahead of it's time in both technology & appearance. This is essentially early 90's race technology. This is a NO RESERVE Auction and the bike will go to the winning bidder!

Mileage is 11747km which equates to 7129 miles

Recent service includes:
- Brake Fluid Flush (front & rear)
- Coolant Flush
- New Yamaha OEM petcock
- New UNI filter
- New Battery
- New Rectifier

Bike runs, but carbs were not yet cleaned/tuned. The bike has 2 small dings in the tank, which could be fixed by paintless dent repair, and a crack in the plastic. See pics. Bike has some minor oxidation here and there from being in Japan.

Bike will need tires. I do have a new set of Dunlop Sportmax tires I was going to install, if I kept it. I didn't mount them, because people are usually very picky about their tires. The winning bidder has the option to add the tires in for the price I paid for them, if they choose, but they DO NOT come with the listing.

Why am I selling? I just bought a few of these Japanese imports & chose to keep a Honda NSR instead. What can I say? I'm a Honda Guy... I prefer to Ride Red.

Please keep in mind, I have this motorcycle for sale locally, so reserve the right to end the auction at any time, for any reason. If you would like to personally inspect, please feel free to make arrangements.

Though it most likely needs the carbs looked at, it's wearing a host of new parts and looks like it was pretty well kept in its previous life. It's listed on a no-reserve auction, with a starting bid just below $7,000.

Featured Listing January 30, 2019 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: Pristine 1979 Honda CBX

The 1979 Honda CBX, a six-cylinder behemoth dressed up as a buttoned-down commuter, was an exercise in weird, but impressive, flex from Honda. As the long run of the original CB750 was at its peak, Big Red decided it was time to show off the ultimate evolution of the CB line, but elected to bare its engineering fangs instead of building a taught, sinewed race bike on the CB platform. Honda brass at the time even admitted that, if they had been going for track records, they could have made it with a much lighter, more focused and faster four cylinder.

1979 Honda CBX for sale on eBay

But that wasn't what the CBX was for, so they took the lessons from their tiny 250cc grand prix six cylinders of the 1960s and made a mill four times that size that put out 105 horses at 9,000 rpm. Honda stuck the accessory drives in the middle of the crank, as opposed to at the ends, to keep the crank short for cornering clearance. That also helped balance the big engine, which otherwise would have vibrated mercilessly. Though the technology and thought meant the CBX was a true feat of manufacturing and engineering, it was also heavy, flexy and intimidating. Reports from the time said the handling was more impressive than it had any right to be, but few people were buying it.

This 1979 Honda CBX has been mothballed since 1988, when it was placed on display in a family dealership. The carbs were drained as it was put in storage and the engine was turned over regularly to keep it free. It had a new tank at some point in the 1990s after the original was dented. The tires were last changed in 2001. The seller says he plans to leave it as-is and let the purchaser decide what to do with the bike. Between 1979 and 1988, it covered just 8,400 miles.

From the eBay listing:

This is an original 1979 Honda CBX. It has not been registered or on the road since 1988. It has been stored in a climate controlled garage in Northern Nevada until I purchased it from a friend a few years ago...it had been in their family and on in display in their dealership since the 80's.

I received the original California small pink slip with 1988 registration ( I have photos of this when I took it to DMV ) I have since registered and titled this in Arizona, it has a clean and clear title in my name.

I bought the bike as it sits today. Carbs were drained and the bike has been in stored conditioned for over 15 years. The engine was turned over occasionally. The tires are from 2001 I believe which I think is when it was last freshened up a bit. I also was told that the original tank suffered a dent while on display in the early to mid 90s and the original tank was replaced with one of the last new oem ones available from Honda. The tank is perfect and like new inside and out as seen.

I am selling the bike as is, I am going to leave it up to the new owner to display as is or make it a runner. I added a new battery and fresh avgas last week and the bike runs and the carbs do not leak, however it only ran on 5 cylinders and did not want to idle. So carbs will need a proper going over if you plan to bring it back to life.

Two other flaws on the bike. The tach was lazy when I started the bike, this might sort it self out with some run time. There is also some scratches on the gauges as shown in the photos.

I have not spent much time trying to detail the bike so it will clean up much better than what is shown in the photos if you dedicate a day or two, but as it sits it is very nice...it has basically been inside the last 30 years!!!

Original owners manual and tool kit in place and perfect. The original keys were lost, I had new ones made. I took photos with the tank, side covers and seat off so you can get an idea of the condition.

I will add a few more photos over the next few days, please email me with any questions or if you need specific photos, have questions etc.

I CAN SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. and help ASSIST with WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!!!

The asking price for this time capsule is $15,500, for which you are getting a pristine, absolutely unmolested example of a piece of Honda's corporate history. They do not make them like this any more.

Featured Listing: Pristine 1979 Honda CBX

Suzuki January 25, 2019 posted by Aaron

High-powered Slingshot: 1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100

By the late 1990s, the Suzuki GSX-R1100 was seen as a bloated sport-tourer that had lost its way as a serious sportbike. It had been eclipsed by the power and lithe chassis of a new breed of 1000s, which looked more like 600s than liter bikes. But in 1989, the Gixxer 1100 was still very much the king of the streets, and enjoyed a fearsome reputation as a focused hot rod, with a massive air-oil cooled four pot stuffed into a modified 750 frame. With Suzuki's signature "Slingshot" carb setup getting gas and air where they needed to be, the GSX-R1100 had quite a muscle to flex.

1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100 for sale on eBay

The bikes' hairy reputation was solidified in '89, when Isle of Man racer Phil Mellor lost his life aboard a Gixxer at Doran's Bend. A second crash by Jamie Whitham, also on a Gixxer, led the organizers to ban the 1100cc machines' use for a few years.

But in spite of their reputation, they remain the finest example of the 1980s superbike arms race. They carry all the tech you could hang wheels off of 30 years ago, and are still great every day mounts now. This 1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100 has been taken to the next level, both cosmetically and functionally. The seller has been fastidious to the point of being anal about making sure the bike is without blemishes, and the few it does have have been addressed. Added to that, he went to the trouble to fit a 180-section rear wheel, to improve handling and open up modern tire selections. He also collected nearly another bike's worth of spares, should anything befall this beautiful beast.

From the eBay listing:

Selling because I have a 3 year old and I don't ride much anymore.

You're bidding on a hard to find, low mileage (14K) collectors bike, the 1989 GSXR 1100 in black and grey. Meanest looking of them all.

Looked for some time for this model in this color, found one locally but it needed a few updates. Overall, the condition of the bike is considered "mint" by some, but after 40 years it did need some upgrades.

I went ahead and started with replacing the rear shock with a new 2007 Suzuki model, with almost no miles on it to replace the worn out old one. I then replaced the skinny rear wheel with the appropriate 5.5" wheel (front and rear painted to match) and 180 tire size (requires mounting brake arm to rear caliper on outside). The bike has upgraded kevlar brake lines and new SBS pads, and new cross drilled rotors (not the smooth original style). Front fork tubes are not leaking but could use oil and spring upgrade, just too soft for my liking.

I then upgraded the ignition with a VH ignition advancer, Dyna Coil pack, and racing plugs/plug wires. Bike got new oil filter/oil and I keep tabs on oil condition/levels. I also replaced the air filter with a drop in UNI. Carbs were removed, and totally disassemble and cleaned, new orings and float levels set to spec (does start every time without much hesitation on choke) I will probably upload a video of it starting/running.

Battery was replaced with 6lb Ballistic Battery Lithium $$
Chain was replaced when rear wheel conversion was done.

I then changed out the stock front brake unit with a brembo radial NISSAN sand ASV adjustable lever. Also changed out the clutch unit with a radial Brembo with ASV lever (adjustable) and stainless line. Just this week i noticed the stock steering dampner was weeping, so I ordered a brand new NJK adjustable damper ($200) to make sure that was ok (in 4th pic).

Tires are newer with low miles and again are larger size rear. Bike corners very well.
Rear seat cowl is hard to find with the rubber butt pad in good shape (mine is excellent). Also have rear seat. Seats are like new condition as is the tank bra (NOS). One mirror has loose play in it, might be adjusted.

Exhaust is stock and rust free, chrome is very shiny with no rust. I prefered to keep the bike stockish looking and quieter for personal reasons, and I enjoy the stock exhaust on the road.

Gas tank was removed, new petcock and filters, and it was sealed against rust. I've seen way too many of these bikes look good on the outside but rusting inside, and that makes big problems.

Other little things: Bar ends replaced with custom logo, and it has rear chock stand spools added.

Paint is a 9/10

No chips in front fairing.
Paint has a small touch up on the right lower where they always get scrapes (about penny size). Paint as you see in pictures is gorgeous, no sun faded graphics or paint, the black blue pearl is deep, lots of deep gloss and microfiber towels used only to polish. Just a small bit of clear coat on the tank under the tank bra has shown a bit of wear, otherwise the tank shows like new. Graphics are in amazing condition, tank graphics "R" has a bit of patina (discoloration in the letter under the clear) that doesn't take away from its value. Rear plastic cowls are near mint and have a rare "Slingshot" logo on the right side. Rear seat cowl has a sticker on top (don't know if its cleared over or not, i would just leave on). Insides of the fairings are clean, no grime, no gunk...kept up with the rest of the nooks and crannies on the bike. Aluminum parts are not pitted at all.

Lenses on the lights are free of damage, clear, and working, as well as horn.

Pictures speak for themselves. The engine is spotless, with no leaks or paint coming off. The frame is all original and never polished or damaged etc. Her owners took good care of this bike.

This auction will include an assortment of replacement fairings I bought JIC.

I have a complete upper cowl (super hard to find) with minor work can be used as a perfect replacement.
I have a mint condition left mid, and right rear cowl.
I have a pair of original mirrors which need paint matching (super hard to get)
I have a spare (near mint) gas tank
I have full tank decal set (OEM) with the "Hyper Sport" R logo
I have spare wheels and some original parts taken off the bike.
Stock tool set and manual in rear seat area.
Factory repair manual

Basically, I wanted to future proof the bike.

I don't get to ride it as much as I want, so it has to go to fund other child related things now. Will be sad to see her leave, hope someone mature appreciates and will take care of it and not mod it out into just another chrome 1100. Overall a solid bike, stunning in person, and fun to ride with the newer parts added.

Keep in mind reserve price includes all the extra's package and the scarcity of this models color/condition.

**I will post a Youtube video of bike on a January day, cold start** I may add pics or info at any time here as well.

I will accept full payment USPS money order only, and only after cashed will bike ship. Check my seller feedback, i've sold other vehicles and stuff with excellent feedback. No liens, or salvage on this bike, clear CA title.

Please have funds IMMEDIATELY available and ready to send within 3 days of your winning bid.

The reserve hasn't been met yet, but we don't expect this one to go cheap, especially given its condition and the care the most recent owner has taken with it.

High-powered Slingshot: 1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100

Kawasaki January 20, 2019 posted by Aaron

Angry Ninja: 1993 Kawasaki ZX-7R M1

It's not that hard to come across clean Kawasaki ZX-7Rs these days, even after many of them were used and abused and thrown away. But this 1993 Kawasaki ZX-7R M1 is a lot more special. It's not quite an RR, but the M1 is an early homologation special of the ZX-7R, and it wears a plethora of very sexy race track-oriented bits. To wit: an aluminum gas tank, a rack of four 39mm flatslide carbs, adjustable suspension front and rear, an adjustable swingarm pivot and a close ratio gearbox. There's also a solo seat cowl to really hammer home the idea that this ain't your average street bike.

To take full advantage of the bike's potential, you needed to spring for the race kit, which would get the thing ready for whatever series you wanted to throw it at. With 121 horsepower at the crank pushing around about 440 pounds, the M1 was no slouch. This one has been in the care of a Kawi tech for the last decade, and he says he purchased it from his friend who is the original owner. He claims it has never been raced, and all 21,000 of its miles were racked up on the roads around Burnaby, BC, where it lives. It got an extensive going over last year, with a catalog of new parts listed below.

The bike is in beautiful condition, with the exception of a very scarce few blemishes.

From the eBay listing:

Motorcycle is a Canadian M1 model.
Originally purchased new from my local Kawasaki dealership, Burnaby Kawasaki in BC Canada, est. 1975.
Previous owner is a friend and I have always wanted my first love, a 1993 ZX7R M1.
I purchased the bike June 2009.

Currently has 37,385 kilometers / 23230 miles

Wheels do have some minor light scratches where balance weights were removed when changing tires in past. Front fairing, above headlights, where Kawasaki silver lettering / black decal has, small Nick in decal. See pics.

Two things are missing:
Bike is missing fuel filter bracket, I've never had it, didn't really bother me, but I ordered one last year, it never showed up. Bit disappointed. They are used ones out there.
The remote idle adjuster is bit shorter than the original. I do not know what happened to the original, I bought it like this, and again, never really bothered me. Its just short to reach the holder bracket.

All service work completed in 2018 by myself, factory Kawasaki trained tech.
All the fluids and oil filter have been changed.
Valve adjustment, shims changed as needed.
Carbs cleaned, adjusted as needed and synced. Bike runs great, see video of running operation, link below.
Brakes front and rear rebuilt, oem seals.
Fork seals replaced oem.
New sparkplugs.
New oem air filter.
New oem butt pad.
New brake pads and new oem brake rotors front and back.
Replaced the brake lines with spieglers, I do have the oem brake lines front and rear.
Zero Gravity tinted screen.
I do not have oem windscreen. These can be made to exact oem match by a company in Florida, www.bikescreen.com
New Michelin pilot tires with less than 300kms.
I do have the side fairing left and right side reflectors.
Two ignition keys plus the key code tag.
New chain and sprockets, went with blue chain, reminds me early 90's. Stock oem gearing.
New battery, new thermostat. New brake reservoirs. All the lights, speedo lights etc work, nothing burnt out. Charging system checked, ok.
Bike starts up, idles, operates properly. I do have video https://youtu.be/M0ofJBc2JXI

Call me if you have any questions, Jason @ 1-604-816- 2915 Try to call between 9am-10pm PST
Much appreciated.

Buyer is responsible for shipping. Bike is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada,
1 hour north of USA border.

Motorcycle is listed for sale locally as well, so auction can end anytime.

Since the bike is in Canada, it will take a little bit of paperwork for U.S. buyers to get it on the road, but for a bike this cool and in condition this nice, it should be worth the hassle.

Sport Bikes For Sale January 17, 2019 posted by Aaron

Classic smoker: 1979 Yamaha RD400F

The 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special made its name by tangling with a breaking wave of magnificent four strokes and excelling in the face of the bigger machines. By '79, two strokes were supposed to be effectively dead, with emissions and the popularity of the new superbikes rendering them relics of a bygone era. But Yamaha had a profit center with the little RD, as well as a string of wins at Daytona to celebrate. So, they threw a bunch of money at the RD400F, refining the engine to be torquier and meet emissions and re-doing the chassis to sharpen the handling.

1979 Yamaha RD400F for sale on eBay

What resulted was a more refined, nimbler version of an already famed hooligan bike, and the press went nuts. Not only that, Yamaha's line of two strokes survived in the U.S. for another five model years.

This 1979 Yamaha RD400F looks to be in great, mostly original shape, and the seller says frame and engine numbers match. There isn't much in the way of a description, but the cold start video shows positive signs. In the video, the seller says it has recently had the carbs cleaned, new tires and a brake service. Pod filters and DG exhaust pipes are non-original, but the stock airbox and jets will come with the bike.

From the eBay listing:

1979 Yamaha Daytona Specila rd400f ,frame and engine matching numbers .oil injection comes with complete stock air box and extra jets Call if needed 772-321-1437 cold start video link https://youtu.be/t_FswFr_Qqc Please only bid what you can afford and have funds readily available .

Please read the terms and conditions for payment . non refundable deposit with in 24 hrs ,Terms pay pal is for deposit only (no exceptions ) full payment CASH is king !! person to person , wire transfer bank to bank !! Other payments must be discussed PRIOR to auctions end ! not after . possible cashiers / bank check on a nationally known local branch bank !! full payment due within 7 working days !! can store for 30 days will work with shippers

Buy-It-Now for this beast is set at $6,500 or best offer, which seems to be right in line with prices for nicely presented RDs.