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Honda : CB 1966 honda cb 160 road racer van tech racing frame rare collector motorcycle
$24,900
St. Louis, Missouri
1966 Honda CB160 Van Tech Click the icon to hear our commercial! CALL US TODAY TO MAKE AN OFFER 636-600-4600 [email protected] MotoeXotica Classic Cars will ensure your online buying experience will be a pleasurable one from start to finish. We have been selling classic and exotic cars exclusively since 1987! We have been a pioneer and trusted, top-rated eBay seller since 1999 with thousands of positive feedbacks and are a proud member of the BBB with an A+ rating! We are located in St. Louis, Missouri in a brick and mortar 60,000 sq. ft. building under one roof on 5 acres with over 200 cars in stock. To secure a car, we ask for a nominal $500.00 deposit and give you a 7-day grace period to inspect the car. If you or an agent, upon completion of a scheduled inspection at our St. Louis location, find the car not to your liking, we will refund your deposit with no questions asked. This is unique to our industry! We offer financing through the best lenders in the industry with competitive rates. If you should need financing to put this car in your garage, call us today at 636-600-4600, we will make it happen for you! Please see my "ME" Page for classic cars, sport & exotic cars, muscle cars, antique & vintage cars, rat & hot rods, motorcycles and more all listed on eBay. 1966 Honda CB160 Van Tech Description 1966 Honda CB160/Van Tech Road Racer Founded in 1960 by a father and son team of Bill VanTichelt Jr. and Sr., Van Tech Engineering was originally established with the intent to create a better, faster, go kart for racing. On a whim, they designed and built a small dirt bike for one of their kart racing customers. In 1963 the Blendzall company commissioned Van Tech to produce a 100cc race bike for one of their riders. The bike they created swept the class that year solidifying the VanTichelt’s name as one of the best in the biz. Motoexotica is pleased to present this extremely rare 1966 Honda CB160 road racing motorcycle which features a 161cc four stroke twin cylinder engine and a Van Tech racing frame. Bike is also equipped with 4 speed transmission, 24 mm carburetors, ARD magneto ignition, Ceriani road race forks, MJB shocks, CR 93 RR tank and seat, air actuated shifter, full safety wiring, and more. As part of a collection, this bike has been a static display piece for several years and has not been started or run recently. Overall condition is excellent with some patina on original parts but no broken or damaged pieces and parts. This bike is a fantastic piece of motorcycle racing history and is sure to start conversations wherever it sits. Please see our other auction for an equally rare and collectible Honda road racer from 1963! These Hondas were part of an impressive collection that included Yamaha, Kawasaki, Bimota, Suzuki, Norton, Triumph and more. Check our other inventory for more obscure cars & bikes. GET OUT AND RIDE! Bike is sold on bill of sale only. Specifications Asking Price: $24,900 Miles: 1 VIN: B160E-1031942 Year: 1966 Make: Honda Model: CB160 Van Tech Title: Other Warranty: No Condition: Used Options: Engine: 161 cc 4 Stroke Transmission: 4 Speed Body: Motorcycle Doors: Stock Number: 150520 Lot Number: Exterior: Silver Interior: Terms & Condtions ALL SALES ARE FINAL WITH CAR BEING SOLD WHERE/IS, AS/IS. ! TO BID YOU MUST BE OVER 18 and pay with a money order, cashier’s check or wire transfer. Please do not bid without the intent to finalize this transaction. Sorry, NO bid retractions allowed, ask questions BEFORE you bid. Your bid is a binding contract. EBay is an advertising tool and many of our vehicles sell before the auction ends. Call us today at 636-600-4600 to make this vehicle yours! Seller reserves the right to end auction early. We ask for a nominal $500.00 refundable deposit. This is unique to our industry! Motoexotica Classic Cars has been a part of eBay Motors since 1999 and has maintained a great reputation and 100% positive feedback. We would like to keep it that way for future customers! The Vehicle is being sold by a Licensed State of Missouri Dealer (Motoexotica Classic Cars, LLC). You will need to check with your local government for any special rules regarding these older vehicles passing any inspections. We will not be held liable for any vehicle not passing inspection. The vehicle is offered with a right to a personal inspection by any bidder or agent. If you or an agent upon completion of a scheduled inspection at our St. Louis location finds the car not to your liking, we will refund your deposit with no questions asked. Feedback MUST be left before the vehicle is released to the buyer/agent/shipper. If you are the high bidder and unable to inspect said vehicle before auction close, you or an agent will have seven (7) days to inspect said vehicle after the close of auction. I encourage a physical inspection strongly to avoid any misunderstandings or representations. All disputes arising out of or resulting from this sale shall be finally determined by binding arbitration in St. Louis, Missouri in accordance with the commercial rules of arbitration of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be carried out by one or more arbitrators in accordance with said rules. Any award shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction in the same manner as judgments. This agreement to arbitrate shall survive the sale of the automobile described herein. Buyer and Seller hereby agree that Missouri law shall control for all purposes under this Bill of Sale. Buyer and Seller hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of Missouri to specifically enforce the agreement to arbitrate and to enter judgment of and enforce the award of the arbitrator. All above terms and conditions are applied to vehicle sales, whether through EBay or otherwise. Payment Terms Payment must be made by Cashiers Check, Money Orders or Wire Transfers payable in US Dollars. A Refundable deposit in the amount of $500.00 must be received within Twenty-Four (24) hours of the auctions close either by Master Card, Visa, Discover or PayPal (Credit Cards or PayPal for deposit only NOT for full payment). Purchaser cannot make any claims of ownership to said vehicle without payment in full. The buyer has seven (7) days from close of auction to inspect the vehicle. If an inspection or decision takes longer than seven days and you find the vehicle not to your liking, your deposit will be forfeited and the car will be relisted. Final payment must be received within ten (10) days of the auction close. The refundable deposit only applies if you or an agent inspect said vehicle in St. Louis and find it not to your liking. Documentation Fee: There will be a $195.00 fee added to each car sold. This includes title transfer, inventory tax, holding costs, vehicle preparation, storage and priority documentation delivery. We will not be responsible for buyer’s remorse or problems found to said vehicle once they have left our property. We are just being realistic; most of the cars we deal in are vintage and by their very nature will need TLC and some degree of attention sooner or later. These are not new cars and your expectation should not be of a perfect, new car. Once full payment has been received, Seller will email or fax a copy of clear title, Bill of Sale, Buyers Guide and additional DMV forms to the Buyer to sign and return via email or fax. The fully-executed forms must be returned to the Seller prior to the shipment of said vehicle. Original paperwork will be sent to Buyer via USPS Priority Mail within ten (10) days from date of final payment. Transportation For a quote on shipping anywhere in the world, please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call 636-600-4600. We will give you an estimated cost for open and enclosed transport or overseas. We are happy to accommodate our international buyers! Over the last several decades we have exported thousands of cars to Norway, Germany, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, Brazil, British Columbia, Canada and many other locations around the world. Overseas shipments will be placed into a steel container for safe sea passage or optional roll-on/roll-off (RoRo). We take care of all the details and paperwork. All you have to do is collect the car at your nearest port and enjoy! Please note that we are not a transport company and only offer this service as a convenience to our customers. You are more than welcome to arrange your own shipping. Transportation will commence only after final payment and signed documentation are received. Financing We offer financing through many of the best lenders in the industry. They are currently offering very attractive rates for all collector and special interest automobiles. With loan amounts from $10,000 to $500,000, and flexible terms of up to 12 years, you can finance the car of your dreams. Call us at 636-600-4600 for additional details. Warranty ALL SALES ARE FINAL WITH CAR BEING SOLD WHERE IS, AS IS! The vehicle is offered with a right to a personal inspection by any bidder or agent of any bidder. The vehicle is available for inspection prior to bidding. If you are the high bidder and unable to inspect said vehicle before auction close, you or an agent will have (7) days to inspect said vehicle after the close of auction. I encourage a physical inspection strongly to avoid any misunderstandings or representations. All used vehicles should be assumed to have some degree of wear. No vehicle is perfect to everyone. Each vehicle has its strengths, styles, tendencies and shortcomings. Therefore, despite our best efforts to verify a vehicle’s mechanical condition, we are not able to warranty a manufacturer’s workmanship or previous owner’s diligence in care. It is for this reason that all vehicles are sold ”WHERE/IS, AS/IS”. We have described the above mentioned vehicle to the best of our ability. However, with all classic and exotic vehicles, the condition is subjective. Please be advised that no oral or written statements concerning any vehicle constitutes a representation or warranty of the condition of the said vehicle. INDUSTRY UNIQUE RETURN POLICY: If for any reason you receive your vehicle and have buyer’s remorse, are not happy with the vehicle or just don’t want it for any reason we will purchase the car back from you. We must be notified in writing of your decision to return the vehicle within seven (7) days of your receipt of said vehicle. The vehicle may not have more than 75 additional miles on the odometer from the time it left our possession and be returned in the same condition that it left. You WILL be responsible for a restocking fee that will equal 20% of the purchase price of the vehicle, no exceptions. You will also be responsible for shipping the vehicle back to our shop at your expense. Copyright © 1999-2015 MotoeXotica. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks, names and anything else implied in this document are owned and protected by their respective owners.
Honda : Other 1963 honda vintage road racer 250 cc 4 stroke twin rare collector motorcycyle
$24,900
St. Louis, Missouri
Category -
Engine 250cc
Posted Over 1 Month
1963 Honda Road Racer Click the icon to hear our commercial! CALL US TODAY TO MAKE AN OFFER 636-600-4600 [email protected] MotoeXotica Classic Cars will ensure your online buying experience will be a pleasurable one from start to finish. We have been selling classic and exotic cars exclusively since 1987! We have been a pioneer and trusted, top-rated eBay seller since 1999 with thousands of positive feedbacks and are a proud member of the BBB with an A+ rating! We are located in St. Louis, Missouri in a brick and mortar 60,000 sq. ft. building under one roof on 5 acres with over 200 cars in stock. To secure a car, we ask for a nominal $500.00 deposit and give you a 7-day grace period to inspect the car. If you or an agent, upon completion of a scheduled inspection at our St. Louis location, find the car not to your liking, we will refund your deposit with no questions asked. This is unique to our industry! We offer financing through the best lenders in the industry with competitive rates. If you should need financing to put this car in your garage, call us today at 636-600-4600, we will make it happen for you! Please see my "ME" Page for classic cars, sport & exotic cars, muscle cars, antique & vintage cars, rat & hot rods, motorcycles and more all listed on eBay. 1963 Honda Road Racer Description 1963 Honda 250cc Road Racer Motoexotica is pleased to present this extremely rare and beautifully preserved 1963 Honda road racing motorcycle which features a 250cc four stroke twin cylinder engine and a Yetman racing frame. Bike is also equipped with 5 speed transmission, 26mm Mikuni carburetors, twin leading shoe front brakes, magnesium triple trees, full safety wiring, and more. As part of a collection, this bike has been a static display piece for several years and has not been started or run recently. Overall condition is excellent with some patina on original parts but no broken or damaged pieces and parts that we are aware of. This bike is a fantastic piece of motorcycle racing history and is sure to start conversations wherever it sits. Please see our other auction for an equally rare and collectible Honda CB160 Van Tech from 1966! These Hondas were part of an impressive collection that included Yamaha, Kawasaki, Bimota, Suzuki, Norton, Triumph and more. Check our other inventory for more obscure cars & bikes. GET OUT AND RIDE! Bike is sold on bill of sale only. Please contact us for more information. Specifications Asking Price: $24,900 Miles: 1 VIN: CL72E-314438 Year: 1963 Make: Honda Model: Road Racer Title: Other Warranty: No Condition: Used Options: Engine: 250 cc 4 Stroke Transmission: 5 Speed Body: Motorcycle Doors: Stock Number: 150518 Lot Number: Exterior: Red/Silver Interior: Terms & Condtions ALL SALES ARE FINAL WITH CAR BEING SOLD WHERE/IS, AS/IS. ! TO BID YOU MUST BE OVER 18 and pay with a money order, cashier’s check or wire transfer. Please do not bid without the intent to finalize this transaction. Sorry, NO bid retractions allowed, ask questions BEFORE you bid. Your bid is a binding contract. EBay is an advertising tool and many of our vehicles sell before the auction ends. Call us today at 636-600-4600 to make this vehicle yours! Seller reserves the right to end auction early. We ask for a nominal $500.00 refundable deposit. This is unique to our industry! Motoexotica Classic Cars has been a part of eBay Motors since 1999 and has maintained a great reputation and 100% positive feedback. We would like to keep it that way for future customers! The Vehicle is being sold by a Licensed State of Missouri Dealer (Motoexotica Classic Cars, LLC). You will need to check with your local government for any special rules regarding these older vehicles passing any inspections. We will not be held liable for any vehicle not passing inspection. The vehicle is offered with a right to a personal inspection by any bidder or agent. If you or an agent upon completion of a scheduled inspection at our St. Louis location finds the car not to your liking, we will refund your deposit with no questions asked. Feedback MUST be left before the vehicle is released to the buyer/agent/shipper. If you are the high bidder and unable to inspect said vehicle before auction close, you or an agent will have seven (7) days to inspect said vehicle after the close of auction. I encourage a physical inspection strongly to avoid any misunderstandings or representations. All disputes arising out of or resulting from this sale shall be finally determined by binding arbitration in St. Louis, Missouri in accordance with the commercial rules of arbitration of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be carried out by one or more arbitrators in accordance with said rules. Any award shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction in the same manner as judgments. This agreement to arbitrate shall survive the sale of the automobile described herein. Buyer and Seller hereby agree that Missouri law shall control for all purposes under this Bill of Sale. Buyer and Seller hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of Missouri to specifically enforce the agreement to arbitrate and to enter judgment of and enforce the award of the arbitrator. All above terms and conditions are applied to vehicle sales, whether through EBay or otherwise. Payment Terms Payment must be made by Cashiers Check, Money Orders or Wire Transfers payable in US Dollars. A Refundable deposit in the amount of $500.00 must be received within Twenty-Four (24) hours of the auctions close either by Master Card, Visa, Discover or PayPal (Credit Cards or PayPal for deposit only NOT for full payment). Purchaser cannot make any claims of ownership to said vehicle without payment in full. The buyer has seven (7) days from close of auction to inspect the vehicle. If an inspection or decision takes longer than seven days and you find the vehicle not to your liking, your deposit will be forfeited and the car will be relisted. Final payment must be received within ten (10) days of the auction close. The refundable deposit only applies if you or an agent inspect said vehicle in St. Louis and find it not to your liking. Documentation Fee: There will be a $195.00 fee added to each car sold. This includes title transfer, inventory tax, holding costs, vehicle preparation, storage and priority documentation delivery. We will not be responsible for buyer’s remorse or problems found to said vehicle once they have left our property. We are just being realistic; most of the cars we deal in are vintage and by their very nature will need TLC and some degree of attention sooner or later. These are not new cars and your expectation should not be of a perfect, new car. Once full payment has been received, Seller will email or fax a copy of clear title, Bill of Sale, Buyers Guide and additional DMV forms to the Buyer to sign and return via email or fax. The fully-executed forms must be returned to the Seller prior to the shipment of said vehicle. Original paperwork will be sent to Buyer via USPS Priority Mail within ten (10) days from date of final payment. Transportation For a quote on shipping anywhere in the world, please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call 636-600-4600. We will give you an estimated cost for open and enclosed transport or overseas. We are happy to accommodate our international buyers! Over the last several decades we have exported thousands of cars to Norway, Germany, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, Brazil, British Columbia, Canada and many other locations around the world. Overseas shipments will be placed into a steel container for safe sea passage or optional roll-on/roll-off (RoRo). We take care of all the details and paperwork. All you have to do is collect the car at your nearest port and enjoy! Please note that we are not a transport company and only offer this service as a convenience to our customers. You are more than welcome to arrange your own shipping. Transportation will commence only after final payment and signed documentation are received. Financing We offer financing through many of the best lenders in the industry. They are currently offering very attractive rates for all collector and special interest automobiles. With loan amounts from $10,000 to $500,000, and flexible terms of up to 12 years, you can finance the car of your dreams. Call us at 636-600-4600 for additional details. Warranty ALL SALES ARE FINAL WITH CAR BEING SOLD WHERE IS, AS IS! The vehicle is offered with a right to a personal inspection by any bidder or agent of any bidder. The vehicle is available for inspection prior to bidding. If you are the high bidder and unable to inspect said vehicle before auction close, you or an agent will have (7) days to inspect said vehicle after the close of auction. I encourage a physical inspection strongly to avoid any misunderstandings or representations. All used vehicles should be assumed to have some degree of wear. No vehicle is perfect to everyone. Each vehicle has its strengths, styles, tendencies and shortcomings. Therefore, despite our best efforts to verify a vehicle’s mechanical condition, we are not able to warranty a manufacturer’s workmanship or previous owner’s diligence in care. It is for this reason that all vehicles are sold ”WHERE/IS, AS/IS”. We have described the above mentioned vehicle to the best of our ability. However, with all classic and exotic vehicles, the condition is subjective. Please be advised that no oral or written statements concerning any vehicle constitutes a representation or warranty of the condition of the said vehicle. INDUSTRY UNIQUE RETURN POLICY: If for any reason you receive your vehicle and have buyer’s remorse, are not happy with the vehicle or just don’t want it for any reason we will purchase the car back from you. We must be notified in writing of your decision to return the vehicle within seven (7) days of your receipt of said vehicle. The vehicle may not have more than 75 additional miles on the odometer from the time it left our possession and be returned in the same condition that it left. You WILL be responsible for a restocking fee that will equal 20% of the purchase price of the vehicle, no exceptions. You will also be responsible for shipping the vehicle back to our shop at your expense. Copyright © 1999-2015 MotoeXotica. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks, names and anything else implied in this document are owned and protected by their respective owners.
Other Makes : Bridgestone 350 GTR Rare Garage Find Restoration Project - Bridgestone Cafe 350 GTR Motorcycle
$989
Reno, Nevada
Year -
Make -
Model -
Category -
Engine -
Posted Over 1 Month
Up for auction is a rare vintage Bridgestone 350 GTR! . This is a restoration project bike. It turns over but will need some work. A nice garage find bike! A bill of sale will be provided in order to get the vehicle titled. Unfortunately, there is no title with the bike. I can assist with the shipping or you may also pick up.Bridgestone 350 GTR Years produced: 1967-1971 Total production: 9,000 (est.) Claimed power: 37hp @ 7,500rpm Top speed: 95mph Engine type: 345cc two-stroke, air-cooled parallel twin Weight (dry): 160.6kg (354lb) Price then: $695 (1970) Price now: $1,800-$4,000 MPG: 45 (est.) Detailed Auction InformationPlease note that the winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours of auction end, and make arrangements for payment at that time. A non-refundable $500.00 deposit is due within 24 hours of end of auction. The remainder is due within 3 days of Auction end. If no contact is made within 24 hours we will go forward with the non-paying bidder procedure and sell it otherwise. Winning bidder is responsible for the smog certification in their State or Country. Please check the rules in your township, county, and State, CountryBuyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish to have it shipped using a service, then you are still responsible for all payment and pickup time requirements. Miles as shown on odometer and are not guaranteed as actual. All sales are final and "as is". If you are not sure about something, Please ASK before placing a bid. Do not assume anything not listed is included. We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback. We have the right to end the auction early. Serious bidders only! First time buyers to Ebay must contact me prior to bidding or face bid retraction. Although we do our best to describe these vehicles, these are previously owned vehicles and there is a possibility that we might overlook some appearance and mechanical details. We do our best to list any major defects in appearance or running condition. As a result, we do not guarantee this item at all. We strongly recommend you inspect this item BEFORE bidding. We also recommend you tow your vehicle away and have it checked out by a certified mechanic before driving - regardless of its condition. If we do not require the vehicle to be towed and you choose to drive your vehicle from our location, then you do so completely at your own risk. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle before the end of the auction, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value to bid based upon that judgment solely.This vehicle is being sold as is where is. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. The Bridgestone 350 GTR was a standard motorcycle built by Bridgestone from 1967 until 1971. It featured an air-cooled 345 cc (21.1 cu in) two-stroke parallel-twin engine, which produced 37 hp (27.6 kW; 37.5 PS) at 7,500 rpm, and could hit a claimed top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h). Approximately 9,000 units were built. It was the last motorcycle built by the company, as they opted to focus on producing tires instead. Introduced in 1967, the 350 GTR was, for its time, a middleweight displacement motorcycle, and used an air-cooled 345 cc (21.1 cu in) two-stroke parallel-twin engine, which produced 37 hp (27.6 kW; 37.5 PS) at 7,500 rpm. Although a mostly conventional design, the engine featured a rotary disc-valve induction system, allowing more precise management of the gasses inside the engine than traditional piston-port systems did. Two of these disc valves were used (one per cylinder), and a 26 mm Mikuni carburetor was bolted to each one.The six-speed gearbox was also a plus point, as was the ability for the 350 GTR's riders to use either their left foot or their right foot to change gear; the gear lever and rear brake pedals could be swapped around in order to allow this. However, the gearbox did cause issues for some riders, as neutral was located in an unusual place; at the top of the gearbox, as most motorcycles placed this gear between first and second. Chassis-wise, the 350 GTR was fairly conventional, as it used a steel twin-cradle frame, gaitered front forks with twin shock absorbers at the rear, 19" wheels and drum brakes.As Bridgestone were not known for their motorcycles, the public were generally skeptical about the 350 GTR, and the bike's high price (close to the much bigger Triumph Bonneville) meant that sales were low; just 9,000 bikes were built between 1967 and 1971. This would be the last motorcycle that Bridgestone ever produced. However, reviewers both past and present have generally been very positive about the motorcycle. Cycle praised the bike's engine, transmission and brakes, also stating that "Never before have so many advanced features been incorporated into a single package." Cycle World praised the bike's styling, its comfortable riding position, and stated that it was "as big and as fast as any 500." Roland Brown of Motorcycle Classics praised the bike's usability, and the responsive nature of the engine. Accelerating out of a curve with the two-stroke engine revving hard, sun gleaming off the chromed tank and a high-pitched exhaust note providing a vivid soundtrack, it’s easy to understand why the 1967 Bridgestone 350 GTR was widely regarded as one of the best Sixties middleweights around. It’s also a bit sad to think that this model was the high point for a firm that abandoned motorcycle production shortly after it was built.The Bridgestone 350 GTR was one of the most sophisticated Japanese motorcycles of the Sixties, featuring a disc-valve induction parallel twin engine as well as generally high quality construction. Almost three decades after it was built, this immaculate GTR impresses with its neat looks, crisp performance and reliable handling. Yet only a few years after this bike rolled out of the factory in 1967, Bridgestone not only ceased production of the GTR but gave up making motorcycles altogether to concentrate on the Bridgestone tires for which the Japanese company is still well known.After riding the twin, that decision seems strange, although it makes more sense when you realize that the little two-stroke was expensive, costing as much as a Triumph Bonneville in some markets. The GTR was good all right, but in most people’s minds it wasn’t that good. Most motorcyclists were unconvinced about the appeal of the relatively little-known Japanese company and its flagship two-stroke twin, with the result that relatively small numbers of GTRs were sold before production ended in 1971. Induction production The most notable aspect of the 350 GTR’s 345cc parallel twin engine was its rotary disc-valve induction system, which allowed much more precise control of gasses than the more simple piston-ported design being used by rival two-stroke roadsters. Ironically, Bridgestone’s Japanese rival Suzuki had considerable experience racing disc-valve two-strokes, but the firm’s 250cc Super Six roadster, also a two-stroke twin, was piston-ported. Suzuki’s experience dated back to 1961, when MZ factory racer and engineer Ernst Degner defected from East Germany, bringing his team’s secrets with him and passing them on.Bridgestone’s twin used a disc valve (one for each cylinder) on each end of its crankshaft, with a 26mm Mikuni carburetor bolted outside each valve. Another neat feature was the “piggy-back” alternator, situated above the engine rather than at the end of the crankshaft, making the GTR unit quite slim despite its side-mounted carbs. Peak output was normally claimed to be 37hp at 7,500rpm, although a figure of 40hp was also quoted in some materials.The GTR’s advanced engine features did not end with its induction. Lubrication was by a Yamaha-style pump-operated system, to which Bridgestone added the refinement of inspection windows for both engine and gearbox oil. The GTR impressed with its six-speed gearbox, and with its facility to swap the gear lever and rear brake pedals to give a left- or right-foot gearchange, both of which were commonly used at the time.Generally the GTR is very easy to ride, and responsive through the rev range, with no evidence of the two-stroke power step that I’d expected. With 40hp on tap (assuming you accept the higher of Bridgestone’s claimed figures for the GTR) the twin is hardly powerful by modern standards. But it is still lively enough to be fun, and to make me understand why the model impressed most people who rode one in the late Sixties.Back in the day, the Bridgestone’s revvy engine and light weight of just over 350lb made the two-stroke a match for almost any bike off the line: Bridgestone quoted a standing quarter-mile time of 13.7 seconds. And even though it wasn’t really as quick as that, the GTR provided plenty of acceleration away from the lights — and if the front wheel did come up occasionally to produce that Sixties rarity of a wheelie, I can’t imagine many wide-eyed owners would have complainedUnfortunately for Bridgestone, the GTR’s quality came at a high price, for in most markets the bike cost considerably more than rival Japanese two-strokes, and it was competing directly with larger-engined four-strokes. It also faced resistance from riders who were dubious about a high-performance two-stroke’s reliability. This concern was not unreasonable, given the problems that early engines had with oil seals, and with broken air filter parts being sucked into the engine.Relatively small numbers were sold following the model’s U.S. introduction in 1966, and the GTR also failed to trouble the sales charts in Europe when it was released there in the following year. By 1968 Bridgestone was coming under pressure from rival Japanese companies, which were also customers for its tires, Bridgestone’s most important product; bikes were really only a sideline. The story goes that Honda applied pressure, suggesting that if Bridgestone wanted to continue supplying the huge numbers of tires Honda purchased, it should consider its priorities. Shortly afterwards, Bridgestone quit bike manufacture to concentrate on tires. “But if the brakes are good, the engine/transmission unit is fantastic. Never before have so many advanced features been incorporated into a single package. It is so good, in fact, that only a real technician can fully appreciate all of the details.” — Cycle, August 1967“The Bridgestone is a big motorcycle. The 33-inch seat height has a lot of people tippy-toeing to retain balance at a stop sign. And once you’re rolling, you’re very aware that it is indeed a long way to the ground. The wheelbase, at 54 inches, is longer than that of many 650s.” — Cycle, December 1970“The styling of the Bridgestone 350 is cetainly not going to hurt sales for this new model. We consider it to be one of the handsomest roadsters in all of motorcycling, with a superbly successful blending of Japanese smoothness and English cobbiness. Further, it’s, as we’ve said before, a full-size motorcycle, as big and as fast as any 500 — and considerably faster than most. The seating and control layout are exceptionally comfortable for the average or larger rider.” — Cycle World, August 1967“Bridgestone built the motorcycle line up gradually, and in the summer of 1967 tossed a major player into the booming middleweight sweepstakes — the GTR. Grand Touring Roadster? Great Track Racer? Nobody ever really explained the initials, but that was ok. It was a 350, and this was a hot item in that long-ago era.” — Rider, July 1997
