1972 Honda CL175 K6
Very popular in the USA but less so in Europe and
Australia/NZ, these bikes were the on-road/off road version of the more popular
CB175 that many riders cut their teeth on back in the late 60's/early 70's. The
CL version had two exhausts mounted high for good ground clearance. They sweep
down the left-hand-side of the bike like Triumph Trophies did back in the 60's
and early 70's. The engine is incredibly reliable and seems to thrive on abuse,
but regular oil changes are essential as the cams run in plain aluminium
bearings was was typical of late 60's Honda designs. These bikes are very easy
on gas and red line is at a stratospheric 10500 rpm. They easily pull 110 kph
and are light and feature great handling on modern tires. I purchased this as a
semi-wreck in 2014 and spent a lot of time getting it back to original. Only
new paint job and new original two-into-one muffler to go when the photo was
taken.
Features:
- Twin Cylinder SOHC.
- Capacity 174 cc.
- Wet sump lubrication.
- Scambler type bars with
cross brace.
- Separate tacho and speedo
as standard.
- Twin leading shoe front
brake/sls rear.
- Electric and kick start
(the gentleman's scrambler).
- 5 speed gearbox.
1973 CB750 K3Renowned as the worlds first Superbike and recently voted
the most significant motorcycle of the 20th century by the motorcycle press. I
bought this in 2009 as my second Honda CB750. I use it every week as my normal
ride bike). It has about 380000 miles on the clock and runs superbly. It was a
USA import. The colour is standard candy blue/green and the exhausts are the
originals. Dave Ferguson of Richmond did the honors with the paint job as he
does for many VMCCT and BMCT members.
Features:
- Transverse four cylinder
SOHC engine with two valves per cylinder.
- Slightly under square
bore/stroke giving capacity of 736 cc/67 BHP.
- First major production
motorcycle to feature a front hydraulic disc brake.
- Electric and kick starting.
- Dry sump lubrication
system.
- Air cooled.
- Almost vibrationless and
very elastic engine power delivery.
- Close ratio 5 speed gearbox
driving through a wet multi-plate clutch.
1975 CB750 K5My first Honda four, I bought this USA import in 2008 with
13700 original miles on the clock. It was tidy and mechanically sound, but a
bit down on it's luck cosmetically speaking. The K5 was essentially the
American version of the K2 in Australia and was the second to last year that
Honda had this original style of presentation. Colour is classic Honda Candy
Ruby Red.
1975 CB750 K5
1977 Yamaha XS650 StreetYamaha's first four stroke design being produced to compete
against the Triumph Bonneville 650 and BSA 650 Lightening. Purchased in 2014
this bike was in superb original condition and presented as new. Only 16300
miles showing. Colour is original Star Black. A USA import. It has that unmistakable
vertical twin sound that many riders like and has lots of stump-pulling torque.
The engine is mouse quiet. Extremely reliable via bulletproof engine and
gearbox. Unlike the earlier XS 650 models these later versions have much less
vibration and better handling (no hinge in the frame).
Features:
- Air cooled twin Cylinder
OHC/two valves per cylinder.
- 653 CC wet sump.
- Disc front brake/SLS drum
rear brake.
- 5 speed gearbox with wet
clutch.
1980 GS850 GT
I bought this bike new in 1980 to replace my 1970 Honda CB350
K2 twin. It was a quantum leap over the CB350, and, as I was a bit tired of
chain oil up the back of my new flared jeans I bought it largely for it's shaft
drive. It was Suzuki's first shaft drive bike and they got it right first time.
Absolutely typical UJM made to do everything rather well. Engine is as smooth
as many 6 cylinder bikes and very flexible. The bike is extremely reliable and
engine was still okay at 140, 000 km but for cam chain needing replacement. I
reconditioned it barrels up at that time to get it back to zero
everything.
Features:
- 850 cc transverse four
cylinder DOHC with two valves per cylinder.
- Shaft drive through bevel
gears at right rear of engine.
- 5 speed gearbox driving
through a wet clutch.
- Colour is original Gravity
Silver metalic.
- Wide seat that is very
comfortable for the long-haul.
Triumph T160 TridentBuilt in January 1975 this model was the last Trident model
made. Production ending in early 1976 when original Triumph company went
bankrupt. I bought it in Tasmania though it was an earlier USA import (hence
the original American "high riser handlebars"). It was in great
mechanical condition when I bought it but cosmetically pretty sad. Dave
Ferguson did a wonderful paint job and I got the discs etc re-chromed. Has
oroginal style black-cap mufflers. Runs extremely well and with tri-spark
ignition fitted is a first time cold starter. Good examples of the T160 fetch
nearly $20K now days. These bikes are renowned for their distinctive
banshee-wail as they accelerate above 4000 RPM - pure music - forget Beethoven
!
Features:
- Three cylinders/OHV/air
cooled.
- 750 cc/58 BHP.
- Electric start.
- 5 speed gearbox with dry
single plate clutch.
- Fitted with the optional
larger 5 USG fuel tank.
- Single hydraulic disc brake
front and rear.
- Colour is Cherokee Red.
Triumph T160 Trident