Posts by tag: Japanese

Honda August 15, 2021 posted by Doug

1989 Honda NSR250-SP MC18 R6K “Terra Racing”

Just last week, a long lost RSBFS friend reached out to me and welcomed my return to the rotation. Our conversation quickly turned to bikes, pricing and we both noted the lack to 2-strokes being offered for sale and how we both missed them.
After the conversation and without hesitation, I fired up the RSBFS GoDuckYouself engine and went in search of a smoker . . . A real smoker, not some weenie post 2000’s oil-mix 4 mix contraption.

As you know by now, I landed on one of the most sought after NSR’s in Forest Gump’s Wide World.

1989 Honda NSR250-SP MC 18 Terra Racing Edition on CL!

The IMPORTANT model specific info:
1. Magtek Wheels – 4.5″ rear
2. Dry Clutch
3. Fully Adjustable Front and Rear Suspension
4. Slippery Terra Racing Bodywork
5. High Silencers

The IMPORTANT info about this machine:
1. It’s 32 years old
2. It’s ONLY covered 1,450 miles
3. It “appears” to have all of the plastic bodywork tabs in tact. (this is huge!)
4. It has managed to escape the dreaded Japanese corrosion
5. The paint and bodywork “appear” to be in near perfect shape- I’ll come back to this
6. It has spare engine parts

I’ve owned several NSR’s and know all too well the pitfalls of them and based solely on the pictures- this one appears to be the real deal. The seller is asking $12,500 and shipping to your doorstep for around $750. Ouch right? But, unless you have some serious connections and leverage I don’t think you’ll find another one currently for sale stateside. Yes, it’s that rare.

Here’s the low down from the lucky owner:

1989 Honda NSR250R SP top specification of *THE* iconic 250cc 2-stroke GP race-replica of the late 1980 to early 90’s. The NSR250R-SP (MC18-1118045 R6K) features distinctive Terra racing livery, Honda Magtek magnesium wheels & dry-clutch.

2170 kilometers shown and regular but limited use over the past 32 years recorded in the inner panels. New battery / fuel / plugs. Runs and rides well. Includes some spares – new OEM Honda pistons / rings / base gaskets / head gaskets / circlips / plugs.

Over our 12 year history, we’ve only featured a handful of Terra Racing NSR 250 SP’s and the majority of them were listings from abroad.

2019 Sold for $7,750
2014 Sold for $9,500 in the UK
2012 Sold for $7,800 in the UK
2011 Sold for $8,600 in the UK

Knowing how utilitarian NSR’s were in Japan this machine makes me smile. It’s preserved. It’s not been ridden to oblivion and back. It’s Iconic. It’s in the USA. It’s For Sale!

Check out some NSR Grail on CL here!

Extra Credit Reading:
NSR250 SP Terra Racing Edition History
NSR250 SP Terra Racing Edition Specs

Just as I said I would- I’m getting back to the paint and bodywork . . .
Being the avid photographer I am, I can appreciate the time, effort and vision it takes to create great images. Hell, I’m the first person to hand my camera to anyone who says “Nice camera! I bet it takes great pictures!” My point? These are great images! But, not to a potential buyer of a $12,500, 32 year old machine. I want to see clear, well lit and detail oriented images. A smokey image of a scandalous looking motorcycle, peeking around the corner in and industrial setting is not reassuring to me 😉

Later-

1989 Honda NSR250-SP MC18 R6K “Terra Racing”

Honda July 29, 2021 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1989 Honda VTR250

Update 7.31.2021: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

If you spend your free time scurrilously poring over our pages, chances are you are intimately familiar with Honda’s three-years-only VTR250 Interceptor. But in case you aren’t: The 1989 Honda VTR250 Interceptor was Honda flexing its manufacturing might on an entry-level bike just because it could.

The littlest Interceptor was approachable, but packed enough punch to interest more seasoned riders, and enough weird details to keep collectors entertained 31 years later. The most striking oddity is its inboard front disc brake, an experiment that didn’t pan out for Big Red, but one that helps further separate the VTR250 from other small bikes. Couple that with a 90-degree liquid-cooled v-twin that made about 30 horsepower, deft handling from a featherweight chassis and a top speed approaching The Ton, and you have the makings of a cult classic.

This one wears a livery so garish and awesome that it could only have been produced in the decade of excess, and is in very nice preserved shape. The odometer, set into a very period set of square dials next to a 13,500 rpm redline tach, shows just over 13,000 miles.

From the seller:

This is a 1989 Honda VTR250 – Honda’s high tech pocket rocket. Released to the learner market, the VTR250 was way more advanced than most other 250cc bikes at the time – a liquid cooled 90 degree V Twin, with twin cam 4 valve heads and twin downdraught carbs, with a 6 speed transmission. It’s light, nimble and fast, and is a cult classic for lovers of small sport bikes. Producing a touch under 30 bhp, and coupled with light weight and a beam frame it matches bigger bikes in the corners, and revs out to 13,500rpm with useable power all the way off idle. To add to the fun, there is a second power band around 9000rpm and when you get there it takes off again. I’ve had plenty of riders on bigger bikes stop me after I have tailed them relentlessly on twisty roads and ask just what the heck the bike is that I am riding.

This example is very close to stock and has been lovingly maintained by the owner. It has a Goodridge front brake line and just had an oil and filter change in September. Coolant was exchanged last year. The reg/rectifiers on these are famous for failing, so this one has an upgraded one from a Honda VF500. Tires and brakes are in good shape with plenty of life left, and the inboard ventilated disc was serviced last year. Engine inlet rubbers were replaced in September with new ones from Japan, where the VT250 is still in production and spares are plentiful there.

It comes with the official Honda workshop manual, the owners manual, and spare front/rear brake pads/shoes.

Mileage is now 13,325, and I had the local Honda dealer supply and fit the optional genuine center stand.

For just $1,800, this awesome little 250 is begging to join a stable of bigger bikes and watch them turn green with envy as they get passed over for weekend jaunts and blasts around town.

Honda July 14, 2021 posted by Doug

1982 Honda MB5 – The one and done!

Please join me in welcoming back Doug to the website — Yep, the same one that wrote for the site between 2008 and 2012! Feel free to give him some crap in the comments below to make him feel right at home again 🙂 -dc

Oh, hey RSBFS.com readers! I would like to make you aware there is a bit of hazing going on at the corporate RSBFS.com offices. You know, being the new guy and all Dan, Donn and Mike told me I had to start small and work my way back up to the real meat and potatoes and prove my worth (again). You know- “Get my feet wet”. Not being one to back down from a good challenge I went off in search of something to blog about. Guess what? I landed one!

Now, before you start throwing stuff at me, hear me out… In some cases, “rare” is in the eye of the beholder- whether it is a piece of Prime Beef, a limited run Italian twin or a one year only Honda 50cc screamer. In this particular case, it’s the later- a 5 speed, Honda 2 stroke screamer! Food delivery anyone?

1982 Honda MB5 for sale on eBay

What do ya think?

Okay, I’ll get down to business. The Honda MB5 was imported for one year and one year only. 1982 was the year and you could park it in your driveway for a mere $598 bucks! That would be steal in today’s market, but as it sits, this one has an asking price of $3,000. What that will get you is a very nice looking 39 year old motorcycle loaded with some pretty nice 18″ Comstar wheels, business in the front disc brake and a party in the rear drum brake, and a 5 speed gear box. I would like to come clean on this one and let you know it’s currently not in running order. However, according to my long time buddy Steve@Speedwerks, “If your 2 stroke won’t start you have a gas, air or spark problem.” Sounds simple enough right?

From the seller-

You can see by the pictures it is in very good condition I have the title it does not run seems to have some kind of electrical issue has perfect compression but no spark

I think this one is fun, neat and pretty trick with those Comstar wheels. Is it worth the asking price? I’m not sure, but I’m guessing you can jump over to HondaMB5.com and find out real quick what it’s worth and while you’re there, you can probably find the answer to why it won’t start. If you make the drive to Delaware to pick this one up you can always stop by and have Steve look at it.

Oh, I forgot to mention it only has 1053 miles on it!

Check it out here

Suzuki June 10, 2021 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1999 Suzuki TL1000R

Update 9.24.21: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller. -dc

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace will cough up examples of Suzuki’s thundering, hairy-chested v-twin superbike bruiser if you really look, but they’re almost never worth a second glance. Generally, they’re wrecked, stretched, rattle canned or all three, and more often than not have been without a title since the Bush administration. The 1999 Suzuki TL1000R you see here is none of those things. In fact, if you’re looking for one, this might be your stop.

It’s a two-owner bike that has been ridden enough to show it was maintained and the bugs were duly dealt with. It looks clean enough to eat off of, and has been treated to an Ohlins rear damper, in place of the notorious factory piece. The seller says it has Penske springs front and rear. It also has Jardine exhaust cans, switched cooling fans, a Power Commander and a toggle switch for diagnostics. The paperwork for the suspension work is present, and the bike comes with a shop manual.

The TL1000R’s history as a race bike is, excuse the pun, checkered, as it didn’t quite measure up to contemporary Ducatis and Honda’s RC51 when it came time to put up or shut up. But the bikes don’t look like anything else on the road at the time, and are known as wonderful, brawny streetbikes and track toys. There’s more than enough power to get yourself into serious trouble, but none of the peakiness of an inline four.

From the seller:

I have 1999 Suzuki TL1000R I am looking to sell. I am only second owner and previous owner was a Suzuki mechanic so it has been adult owned it’s whole life. I have Ohlin’s dampener with Penske spring in back, and Penske racing springs up front. Jardine pipes, upgraded grips, a toggle switch in back that will read the problem codes as well as an auxiliary switch to keep the fans on while bike is turned off to cool oil. I recently rebuilt the original clutch so that is new. I also installed a new drive shaft seal as well as the pushrod seal (the pushrod seal is from an SV1000 and installed backwards…much better fit than the original part as this was a known oil leak issue). Also included are 2 head gaskets, 2 fuel pumps, a crank case gasket, full additional wiring harness and CPU’s, and a full set of shims for the bike. (not cheap stuff). It has just shy of 29k miles. I also have all original parts for it including the rotary dampener and springs, original muffler and additional items for maintenance. It will come with the full mechanic book as well as paperwork for suspension upgrades. It has been very well taken care of and runs perfectly with the power commander.

Seller Tim is asking $7,000 for this beast, which is an immaculate, two-owner machine that represents the pinnacle of the nameplate.

Honda February 17, 2021 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1993 Honda CBR900RR

Update 2.17.2021: This bike was relisted in late July and we’ve just learned it has SOLD to an RSBFS reader. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

From the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, superbike development burst forth hot and heavy from the engineers behind the big three Japanese brands, with each redesigned or all-new bike of the time period resetting the genre’s limits and possibilities. Tadao Baba’s Honda CBR900RR is perhaps the best exemplar of that trend, as it re-wrote record books as it changed what it meant to be a near-liter capacity bike.

Up until the Fireblade’s release in 1992, any capacity over 750cc meant you were getting into porky waistlines and putting a priority on out and out speed over accurate handling. But riding on a 600-sized chassis with 16-inch wheels to quicken turn-in, the 110-horsepower, 450-pound CBR900RR was from another plane. It undercut the Yamaha FZR1000 on the scales by 34 pounds.

This 1993 Honda CBR900RR is in immaculate shape, with a bunch of tasty modifications to increase style, function and comfort, and a raft of NOS parts to aid maintenance. We love the red-black-silver livery, which is a nice break from the ubiquitous HRC red-white-blue paint scheme that was splashed across every magazine test of the time.

From the seller:

1993 Honda CBR900rr, complete stock bike minus original exhaust but has many period-correct parts to make up for that.
Aftermarket parts:
Full Akrapovic Exhaust System
Heli Bar clip ons
Race Tech front springs
Ohlins rear shock
Brand new Sargent seat
Targa solo seat cowl
original seat, rear seat, clip ons and front springs come with bike
has original 37,700 km which is 23,425 miles
only 2 owners since new, never in rain, no accidents , uncut rear fender, and original
turn signals
I have some many parts some of which include, extra gas tank top end, extra forks,clutch plates, wiring harness, pistons, NOS new zero gravity tinted windshield, NOS lockhart tank bra and a few more items that could be included for a few extra bucks.
Has been stored in a climate controlled environment for last 5 years and not ridden, fresh gas and oil was put in this week and she fired right up. Will need a rad flush and brake fluid flush as it hasn’t been on the road for five years.
Looking for $8,000 USD
Bike is located in Vancouver, Canada and I can assist with shipping

These days, every literbike is pretty close chassis-wise to its 600cc brandmates, but when this bike dropped that was a revelation. Thanks to their reputation for speed and their legendary status, early, well-kept CBR900RRs will only get more valuable.

Yamaha December 14, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special

Update 12.14.2020: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Before race bikes had to have fairings, custom suspension, and forged rearsets, they looked a lot like streetbikes with number plates, and the 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona was among the best. Lighter by half than most of the 750cc and 1,000cc superbikes of the time, the RD could run inside outside and around just about any of its peers. Usually, that means you sacrifice something in acceleration or top speed, but the RD’s parallel-twin 400cc two-stroke mill damn near made up for that.

With ~43 horsepower to push around just 365 pounds, the little RDs were darlings on the street, too. Their modern equivalent is probably something like the Yamaha FZ07, practical, lithe, fast enough to scare you and still accessible enough for a commuter.

This 1979 RD400F Daytona is a beautiful example of the brand, in the classic red/white/gold livery. It’s not perfect, but it isn’t that far off. It’s easily nice enough to put on a stand in your basement and stare at, but I wouldn’t be scared to take it out for a few nice weekend rides, either.

From the seller:

Canadian model 1979 RD400 F Daytona Special sold for only 1 year.
Bike is all original stock.
Low 8100 Miles.
Starts, runs and rides amazing for a 40 year old bike, no issues.
Numbers matching. Low number #403
Matching locks for all 3 – tank, ignition, and seat.
Rust free gas tank, no liner, truly in great shape inside.
Bodywork and paint in very nice shape,
Side covers in great shape very clean no brakes.
All electrical working and no cuts or repairs to wiring loom.
All chrome in great shape including the forks are clean no pits or rust, and gas cap.
Has tool OEM kit.
Things to note the Canadian model received a different crank, electronic ignition, as well as separate carbs similar to the earlier model (that doesn’t have the goofy carb tops and rubber accordion boots that came with the mechanical synchronizing system. Other changes from US model is the exhaust pipes, and have larger diameter for the header and inlet to the exhaust cigar pipes. The Canadian exhaust system also don’t have the butterfly valve.
Huge list of work done including,
Full tune up,
Carburetors just meticulously overhauled.
All work done by red seal mechanic.
140 PSI compression left and right cylinders. Can’t get better than that!!
Many fresh 0km OEM parts.
New air filter.
New spark plugs.
New neutral switch seal.
New shift shaft seal.
New clutch push rod seal.
New seat cover.
New fuel tank rear mounting rubbers.
Petcock rebuilt with new parts.
New exhaust pipe rubber joint gasket.
New black rubber fuel lines.
Fresh Motul trans oil.
Rear brake caliper rebuilt
Fresh brake pads, front and rear.
Bike roles very freely when brakes release.
1 season old battery.
Low km chain and sprockets.
Low km tires.
Probably more just can’t think of it at the moment. many months of love, sweet and work has gone into freshening up this nice original Daytona Special
I would rate this bike as a solid 8.5 out of 10.
Small deficiencies;
1 handle bar mounting bolt is not a match.
Black paint on wheels is starting to fade. comes back nice and black with a little mag product and work.
Front brake is a bit spongy from 40 year old rubber line, looks great, no cracks or splits just flexes more than I like. Yes I’m that picky.
Small marks on fuel tank.
Headlight ears have the dreaded RD400 creases.
Scratches and small weld repair on right exhaust pipe near passenger peg.
Tail fairing underside around mounting bolts has a small piece missing, can not be seen from outside.

Asking price is ~~$7,500~~$6,995 US
Location: Vancouver, Canada

This one is a Canadian model, which means it’s a little harder edged than the versions we got in the U.S. At ~~$7,500~~ $6,995, it’s not exactly a bargain basement collector’s piece, but it’s definitely one you should want to own.

Featured Listing: 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special

Kawasaki September 18, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1981 Kawasaki GPz550

The early 1980s were a bad time for speed. With a very few exceptions, cars had spent the previous decade becoming wheezy, lumbering and compromised. Motorcycles were yet to fully cross the Rubicon from being either quirky runabouts or the steeds of tattooed heathens to the mounts of true enthusiasts. And then in 1981, Kawasaki decided they had had enough, and unleashed the GPz550 on the public.

Just in time for Eddie Lawson to take home his first AMA Superbike title and second AMA 250cc road racing title, the GPz550 carried on the fine tradition of Kawi’s two-stroke triples with staggering speed, but added what at the time was laser-precise handling. Imagine crawling to your office job in some horrible, oversprung, Naugahyde-upholstered slug only to have one of these come screaming past.

The little air-cooled four-pot produced a stout 55-ish horsepower, and exhaled through an evil-looking set of blacked-out pipes. The bikini fairing was enough to set the thing apart from the sea of CB750s, but Kawi made sure the message landed with scarlet paint set off by a pair of navy and silver stripes.

The power meant 12-second quarter mile runs and a top end damn near 120 mph. To give you some context: It would be another nine (9) years before a stock Chevrolet Corvette would drop back into the 12s.

This 1981 Kawasaki GPz550 shows well, but carries some signs of its age and use. There are spots of corrosion here and there, some paint chips and the fork seals reportedly leak. The carburetors apparently were recently cleaned and the clutch adjusted, so with some minor fettling it should be ready to go.

For the full litany, check out the auction on BringATrailer. The auction is no-reserve, which means the high bidder goes home with this piece of sportbike history. Get in line while you still can.

Honda September 2, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1986 Honda NSR400R

Two stroke engine, sticky tires, loud pipes in the raw and a classic Honda paint scheme. What more are you looking for in a back road tiny terror? This 1986 Honda NSR400R was treated to a very under the radar restomod a couple years back, with the goal of making an already awesome bike more modern-day user friendly. It has period aftermarket capacitors and an awesome, raw finish JollyMoto exhaust to wake the engine up a touch.

1986 Honda NSR400R for sale on eBay

The chassis has been treated to a Fox shock and custom, 17-inch Comstar wheels, which means it will accept all manner of modern track day-friendly tires. The forks got custom emulators at the same time. Its age and DNA dictate that it won’t run or ride like a modern machine, but if you’re looking for that, go bark up another tree. This bike will instead give you the best possible experience a mid-80s sportbike can.

From the eBay listing:

Selling my 1986 Honda NS400R that I imported from Canada ~7 years ago. ~2.5 years ago it completed a full restoration/subtle restomod done by the excellent team at RestoCycle in Tucson, AZ (I can send a link to all the details of the build to anyone interested – just send me a message). The entire bike was gone over from stem to stern to ensure that it was in tip top running shape. The subtle restomod that I had done were all aimed at a better riding experience – custom 17″ Comstar wheels so that you can use more modern rubber, an adjustable Fox shock (freshly rebuilt) for the rear, and custom emulators for the front forks by Cogent Dynamics. The bike runs, ride, handles, and looks great. I did not have it done to a concours level restoration, it was meant to be ridden and enjoyed, so there are a few small nicks and dings here and there, but, overall, the bike looks fantastic. And the sound from the Jolly Moto pipes that the second owner put on are awesome (and, iirc, the bike even visited the Jolly Moto factory when it spent a few years riding around Europe). The only current niggle on the bike is that the low oil light sometimes comes on erroneously (there is plenty of oil in the premix tank) – other than that it is in great shape and ready to go. Currently showing 52654 KM (~32.7k miles) on the odometer – mileage might go up a little as I might take it out for a short spin or two. Lots of spare parts that I will be listing separately once the bike is sold (spare gas tanks, carbs, bodywork, original comstar wheels, gaskets, spare oil pump, some spare bodywork parts, swingarm, seat pan, stock rear stand, etc, etc), but would be willing to sell as a package deal to the buyer of the motorcycle.

This is one of the best, IMO, 2 stroke motorcycles ever made.

Please send me any questions you might have.

Pulling back from a closeup of the mods, the bike is near flawless cosmetically, which is increasingly rare in any bike this age, but especially one of this ilk. The original pieces and spare parts, including the stock Comstars, spare carbs, bodywork and a spare gas tank, can be had as a package deal with the bike, but otherwise will be sold separately. Reserve is set at $10k.