InsideVJMC magazine December 2008 Vol. 29, No. 6 President Stuart Covington 978-582-3335 [email protected] Editor Brendan Dooley [email protected] Classified ads Gary Gadd 817-284-8195

Vol. 29, No. 6 December 2008 $5

Inside: • Arizona, national rally reports • Barber Vintage Festival coverage• VJMs strong at AMA concours• A closer look at chrome-plating• Hundreds of classifieds, with color pics!

For more of this bike,

see pages 16-17!

December 2008 www.vjmc.org 3

4 President’s letter Refresh your belief in man. Crash a Dream.

5 Letters, notes and miscellany Reader pics, advice and more.

10 VJMC in the field A Sandcast in Arizona.

11 National Rally recap What did you miss in Heber Springs?

12 Barber Vintage Festival Take a look at what you missed.

14 Hall of Fame Museum concours Japanese bikes have come a long way, baby.

16 Vetter Rickman bike restored Pretty. It’s just pretty to look at.

20 Chrome-plating and you What happens to your parts in plating?

24 Classifieds What do you need?

Vol. 29, No. 6 December 2008 $5

Inside: • Arizona, national rally reports • Barber Vintage Festival coverage• VJMs strong at AMA concours• A closer look at chrome-plating• Hundreds of classifieds, with color pics!

For more of this bike,

see pages 16-17!

On the cover

Member Don Simp-son is becoming an expert in Rickman restorations. Check out page 16 for more.

4 www.vjmc.org December 2008

Another year has come and nearly gone that was filled with many great events and gatherings that our members wholeheart-

edly supported.For those of you fortunate enough to make it

to the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum’s Vin-tage Festival, what can I say? That was the most amazing experience I have had at any cycle event, period. Board member Tom Kolenko deserves a hearty “thank you” for all the work he and his crew put into making it a fantastic event for the VJMC and having such a good rapport with the Barber’s establishment Thank you, Tom! And I personally want to thank all of you who put your time and energy into that event as well. (Hey Rodney, you never made it up from the valley!)

I would personally recommend to all motorcycle enthusiasts a trip to Barber’s as a must-do at least once. I would call it the Holy Grail of motorcycle destinations. The Eighth Wonder of the World. This place even gives the Guggenheim a run for its money.

The entire north wall of the museum is a glass wall overlooking the track. The museum is incredible enough, but the entire grounds are amazing and landscaped like a five-star resort.

There were many whimsical sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. I especially loved the gi-ant ants running off with motorcycles and track debris toward an ant hill.

The entire track is lower than the surrounding grounds, so you always have a visual advantage to watch the racing. Incredible attention to detail.

There were vintage races the whole time we were there, and an awesome quad P-51 single-engine vintage air show. They were darn loud and right over our heads!

The final awesome thing was --- VJMC members got two laps around the track Sunday morning. I took the wing ding with Elizabeth on the back. I was redlining that hunk of Jap steel in second gear! What a hoot. I was going 85! (I have posted photos of the event at http://picasaweb.google.com/stuart-covington.)

Now onto the future. Well, technically at any given moment we are onto the future. So, onward ho!

The VJMC board and officers are doing a great job at brainstorming ways to make the club better as it moves forward. We are gathering this winter in Atlanta to discuss the future of the club and create a plan of attack for it. As usual, we will need energy, enthusiasm and dedication from all our members to make things happen.

This would not be a club without you, the members (that includes you too Larry!). We strive to constantly make things better and improve all aspects of the club. The magazine and

website are on the top of our list to be the best they can. Brendan and Jon have been kicking ‘arse’ and taking names and we thank them profusely for their tireless efforts to make the media end of this club better.

The bottom line to all of this, though, is unless we are all having fun, what is the point? So my promise to you is that we will definitely keep making this a fun club to be in and support.

We also would like to encourage any of you with ideas for club improvements, articles, stories with photos to not hesitate to let us know. Call or email me at any time. Send your stories and photos to our webmaster, Jon, and editor, Brendan, and you may find yourself in print.

Until next time, keep it up and running!

— Stuart Covington

Barbers and beyondVJMC magazineDecember 2008

Vol. 29, No. 6

PresidentStuart Covington

[email protected]

EditorBrendan Dooley

[email protected]

Classified adsGary Gadd

[email protected]

Display Ad Director/ West Coast Rep

Bob Billa949-433-3580

[email protected]

Mountain States RepHal Johnson

[email protected]

Central States RepMarjory Teachout

[email protected]

Northeast RepGeorge Duffy805-602-6239

[email protected]

Southeast RepLouise McCarthy-Dutton

[email protected]

Membership DirectorBill Granade

[email protected]

Mission statement:The purpose of this organization is to promote the preservation, res-toration and enjoyment of vintage Japanese motorcycles (defined as those 20 years old and older, until 2011. We will embrace 1990, 1989 and 1988 until then). The VJMC also will promote the sport of motor-cycling and camaraderie of motor-cyclists everywhere.

© 2008, Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club of North Amer-ica, an IRS-approved Not-for-profit 501(c) corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission.

The views and opinions expressed in letters or other content are those of the author and do not neces-sarily represent VJMC policy. The VJMC accepts no liability for any loss, damage or claims occurring as a result of advice given in this publication or for claims made by advertisers of products or services in this publication.

From the president


Letters, news and misceLLanyA letter from Germany

I was born in May 1949 and grew up in West Germany during the Cold War. My father was a police officer (and hated mo-torcycles) and my mother was an ordinary housewife. In those days, everyone was proud to have a motorcycle and the possi-bility to ride to his factory or wherever he was working to earn money for his family. Only a few people then in the ‘50s had the money to buy a little car.

My father had a serious accident on duty with his motorbike; he broke his leg several times and had a stiff hip on his left side for the rest of his life. From that acci-dent on, he hated every motorcycle and we had a lot of quarrels at home on account of riding a bike.

But what should I do? Everyone in our family (except my mother) had ridden a motorcycle in those early days: my uncle, my aunt, and my cousins (both girls) too. My uncle always took me on his motorbike when he was driving to town or elsewhere. That was very fun in the summer holidays. You could smell the burned oil of his two-

stroke 250cc Zündapp mixed in with the smell of flowers, wheat, grass and rape ... a thing you will never forget your whole life. Sometimes we had to repair that bike and as a young boy I learned a lot about drive chains, carburetors, crankshafts and pistons.

In 1967, I turned 18 and joined the German Navy. With the first money earned by myself I bought a used bike, a Honda CB250 SS in red and white. One year later, I decided that it would be nice to have a bike with more power. I went to the local dealer and said that I wanted to buy a new Honda CB450.

“OK,” he said, “I have one but it is not here in the store. It is in a shop window in a house for driver instruction here in town. But I have to tell you something first: it has no normal exhaust pipes!”

“Jesus,” I thought, “what a thing is this?”

We drove to that house in the city and stopped before the shop window. But all I could see was a green curtain. He went inside and pulled the curtain aside, and I looked with big eyes at a bike that had no

exhaust pipes! That´s what I thought, and cried out, “I don´t want that damned bike at all!” The dealer got me inside, and it was like a flash hit me in my head and my heart. From that very moment on I knew: this was the kind of bike I waited for my whole life! (Remember: I was just 20 years old!)

There it was, a Honda CL450K2 in candy ruby red with gold stripes on the fuel tank and chrome-plated upswept exhaust pipes on the left side. The dealer explained the pipe side was the “chocolate side” (as we say in Germany). Today we know the


Letters, news and misceLLany

President: Stuart Covington55 Howard St.Lunenburg, MA 01462 [email protected]

Vice President: Steve Passwater891 Hickory DriveAnderson, IN [email protected]

Treasurer: Bill Granade13309 Moran DriveTampa, FL 33618813-961-3737 [email protected]

Commercial Ads Director: Bob Billa949-433-3580 [email protected]

Classified Ads Director: Gary Gadd3721 Holland StNorth Richland Hills, TX 76180817-284-8195 [email protected]

PR Director: Roger Smith4525 Hillview Shores DriveClarkston, MI 48348248-628-6262 [email protected]

Secretary: Randy [email protected]

Magazine Editor: Brendan [email protected]

Webmaster: Jon [email protected]

Board members at large:

Hal Johnson402-660-6710 [email protected]

Jim Townsend [email protected]

Tom Kolenko [email protected]

Vintage Japanese motorcycLe cLub board members

“scramblers” were a flop throughout Eu-rope, especially in Germany.

Of course I bought that CL450 and it was one of 15 in the whole country! Throughout the years until 1975, Honda sold about 95 scramblers in Germany! That was absolutely nothing at all. From 1969 until today, I never saw one here on public roads, just at motorcycle shows or special meetings of Japanese vintage bikes. Except the 250, 350 and 450 K-models, Honda did

not export other scramblers to Germany. There was no desire in Germany for this kind of motorcycle. Today you can say you sooner will find a diamond in your washing machine at home than you can buy a Honda scrambler here in Germany.

Since April 2008, I’ve been a mem-ber of the VJMC and hope to be for a long time. I was suggested in this whole thing by an article in the club magazine from De-cember 2005, which was given to me by a

good friend of mine, Volker Wolff, who is a member for much longer. In 1993, some guys including Volker and me decided to establish an Interessen Gemeinschaft: not a real club, but a “community of people who are interested in vintage Japanese motor-bikes of the ‘60s and ‘70s.”

The Nippon ‘60s Classic-IG was founded to help one with another with spare parts, manuals, books, paint tips and so on. Today we have 85 members, some of them in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and of course Germany. We are online at www.nippon-classics.de and our email address is [email protected]. I’ve included one of two pictures of my first scrambler, the Honda CL450K2, at the North Sea near Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and a picture from 2007 of me riding my 1967 Honda CL77.

Hans-Peter Engel

More advice before you take on de-rusting your tank

In reference to your article in the Oct./Nov. 2008 issue by Roger Smith, I just want to share my experience with attempt-ing to get the rust out of a 1987 CBR600 gas tank.

I, like Roger, took my tank to the local car wash to get the heavy rust out, however the power of the spray broke something in-side the tank. I’m not sure if it was some type of pressure relief valve that was in the tank, but it came off and I needed to buy a new tank.


Letters, news and misceLLany

The Vintage RiderONLINE MAGAZINE FOR VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS

W W W. V I N T A G E - R I D E R . C O M

EVENTS | NEWS | DESINATIONS | RESTORING | CLUBS | COLLECTING | RACES | AUCTIONS | SWAP MEETS | LINKS

So I advise using caution when using the full power of a car wash, it was an ex-pensive lesson.

Mike Wilson

Go to Vegas and save a couple bucks on the VJMC

The people at MidAmerica Auctions, of the annual Las Vegas Motorcyle Auc-tion, have offered discount tickets to all VJMC members who attend. The prices are reduced from$30 to $20. If you plan to attend the auction Jan. 8-10, 2009, at the South Point Casino, make sure to mention you are a VJMC member and bring your member card. And take a minute to stop by the VJMC booth.

Jack Stein Ariz. field rep

Getting back into it

I joined the VJMC last August at the Larz Andersen Museum Japanese car and motorcycle show in Massachusetts.

I’m glad that I went; it was a lot of fun and gratifying to see how many people like and appreciate my motorcycle. It was her first show, and winning “The Best Yamaha”

award helped to justify all the work and money I put in.

My RT1-B is very special to me. This is the same year (1971) and model I used to ride when I was in high school in Puerto Rico.

It all came about last winter. I got a little nostalgic remembering my youth back in Puerto Rico, riding my bike on sandy beaches, the girls ... but to make a long story short, I found “my motorcycle” on eBay. Got her shipped all the way from San Diego (from her original owner), to Jack Recon in Springfield, Mass., to have her professionally restored.

To my fortune, there was no need to touch the motor, it runs great. It took seven month and much money to get her to show condition. We used all original and NOS part except for the seat cover, the fuel line and the rear shocks. The signal lights are from a newer model --- although they were not DOT required in 1971, I added them for safety and looks.

Jack Recon did a great job sanding, painting and putting her back to original condition. He is my same age and remem-bers this motorcycle to a “T.”

The old Yamaha RT1-B is still strong and runs great. This fall I had some time off from my business to ride her on the beauti-ful side roads of Western Mass. Ooh boy, I am getting old! After more than 30 years since I last rode a bike, I’m rusty, and it was stressful to ride this old bike (a little rough for my age), but I survived and it was a lot of fun. What a trip! Lots of memories.

For next season, I wold like to take her to as many shows as possible; after that, I may put her on display in my base-ment with some original magazine ads that talks about the back-then innovative AutoLube System and the winning of the Big Baja 1000 race in 1970 (the biggest


Letters, news and misceLLanynonstop race in the word).

It’s a pleasure to be a member of the VJMC.

Manny Aceveto

More on two-strokes to come

Here is a Yamaha I restored. It’s a 1982 RD350LC; it has 12” Lockeed brakes up front, and aftermarket disc in back. The al-loy swingarm is aftermarket, I think from England. Engine has 32mm carbs, lots of porting, with expansion chambers; it runs very strong.

Charles Porchia

Charles has a special spot for restor-ing two-stroke bikes and promises to write some two-stroke articles for coming issues. I, for one, can’t wait to see more.

Are you an expert in any area of vin-tage Japanese motorcycles? Write in, so I can include it. Not an expert, but love to ride VJMs? Write in about that, too. Other members would love to read about your experiences. — Ed.


VJmc in the FieLd

By Jack SteinArizona VJMC field rep

On Oct. 24, VJMC members gathered in Peoria, Ariz., to display their vintage mo-torcycles at the same location as a weekly car show put on by the Wild West Mustang car club. There was a strong showing of vintage machines with an impressive vari-ety of models and manufacturers.

Two bikes of historical significance on display were by club members. Matt Mr-deza’s 1969 Honda CB750 Sandcast and

Bart Iden’s 1973 Kawasaki Z1 are both in showroom condition. Matt gets extra credit for bringing the Sandcast and a 1970 CB750K0, driving more than 100 miles each way from his home in Prescott to the gathering. Bart rode his Z1, and it runs as good as it looks --- perfect.

I was displaying my 1975 Suzuki RE5 Rotary and was mildly surprised when a 1976 RE5 rode up; rarely do two running RE5s make an appearance together. At one point, we had three Honda Cubs/Passports show up. I enjoyed getting a photo of the

1965 Cub 50 parked next to member Stu Oltman’s 1976 Honda Goldwing Limited, the smallest and biggest side by side.

Club member Kent Meyers displayed three interesting Suzukis from his collec-tion: a 1972 GT750 in showroom condi-tion, a 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo and a 1979 GS1000 West Cooley Special. The West Cooley Special has two miles showing on the odometer. This model was a limited edition that was released to celebrate racer Wes Cooley winning the superbike national championship in 1979. One of the interest-ing features of the Suzuki XM85 Turbo is the reverse letters of the “Turbo” decal on the fairing. (I guess Suzuki wanted riders to be able to look in their rearview mirrors to see what was coming.)

If you’re interested in getting involved in VJMC events in your area, including be-coming a field representative in your area, contact Steve Passwater, VJMC VP and Field Rep Coordinator, at 765-649-5755 or [email protected].

For a list of VJMC field reps in your area, visit the VJMC website at http://vjmc.org/vjmc_reps/state_reps/index.htm.

Local event draws out Sandcast


Wet rides, dry show at nationalBy Bob Billa

Heber Springs, Ark. (Sept. 2008) — We arrived on Tuesday afternoon from our son’s home in Jonesboro, Ark. As we took our luggage out of the car, it started to sprinkle and shortly thereafter the rem-nants of Hurricane Gustav greeted us with a downpour like I hadn’t seen since leaving Chicago many years ago.

Wednesday was basically check-in day and the VJMC National Rally attendees trickled in as the rains continued to come down. The hotel lobby was full of small discussion groups involved in tire kicking. Others left the hotel to tour the area and sightsee through their windshield wipers.

Thursday greeted us yet with more gray skies and light rainfall that finally ceased by early afternoon there was a short ride of about 60 miles around Greers Ferry Lake with a lunch stop. A light rain fell on the way back to the hotel, resulting in a “Wet Road Adventure.” All TVs were tuned to The Weather Channel for the forecasts, which promised sunny skies and 80-degree temps.

F r i d a y started overcast, but one look outside revealed parting clouds and a sun burn-ing through. A longer 160-mile ride through the Ozarks to Moun-tain View started at 9 a.m. The route carried the riders north past the Little Red River and dam and continued with many switchbacks through the Ozarks. Lunch was near the White River, and a fuel stop and tour of the Drasco Trading Post (cycle accessory shop and Rally sponsor) com-pleted the ride. Only known incidents were a broken exhaust pipe on one bike and a bee sting to rally organizer Jim Townsend. Quite a sight to see him strip down in the parking lot to find where the bee went! That evening we gathered in the Rally confer-

ence center for a catered BBQ dinner and a lot of VJMC fellowship.

Saturday brought bright sunshine, warming temps and more than 100 bikes lining up for the show and judging. Judg-ing was very difficult with a variety of marques and models on display. A short afternoon ride gave everyone a chance to again view the beautiful green scenery on dry roads. The event capped off with an awards banquet.

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2008 barber Vintage FestiVaLBy Steve PasswaterPhotos by David Kolenko, Barry Whitley and Paul Enz

The VJMC has been a mainstay of the Barber Vintage Festival each of its four years in Leeds, Ala., from its bike show to the charity pancake breakfast.

Those attending the VJMC display at the 2008 event were treated to a new competitive event, the Sweet Sounds of Japanese Horsepower Competition, on Saturday morn-ing prior to the judged motorcycle show.

Participants were organized in classes from singles to sixes. Each competitor demonstrated their bike’s sweet sound for a three-man judging team, which drew an inter-ested group of spectators. The results ranged from “sweet and very quiet” for the small singles with stock exhausts to “sweet and painful” for the two-cycle race machines. Hear-ing the sophisticated sounds of bikes such as a race-kitted Honda CB92 and a seldom-seen Yamaha XS750 triple made the event well worth attending.

Winners were: Single, Honda XLR100, Buck Mitch-ell; Twin, Honda CB92, Dave Swingler; Triple, Kawasaki H2 race bike, Mike McSween; Four, Honda VF500F, Jim Townsend; and Six, Honda CBX, Lloyd Blythe.

Enjoy these Exhaust Competition and other pics from the festival.


2008 barber Vintage FestiVaL


By Roger SmithPhotos by Ken Frick and Doug Mitchel

On Oct. 11 in Pickerington, Ohio, the 2008 Invita-tional Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours d’ Elegance was temporary home to 90-plus championship-quality motorcycles produced before 1975, from Harleys and Indians to Nortons, Hondas Suzukis and more. The concours bikes were set up around the front of the mu-seum for easy viewing under bright blue skies on a warm autumn day.

“This was our seventh annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance,” said Mark Mederski, execu-tive director of the museum. “I invented it as a partner to the Hall of Fame Inductions; important bikes and impor-tant people.

“We invite about 250 collectors and their machines, 1975 and earlier, and they are juried in advance.” Mederski directs the event, and helps judge the Japanese classes.

The Japanese entrants included Richard Holman, a VJMC field representative from New Jersey, with his 1973 Kawasaki Z1, Peter Calles’ 1962 Honda 305 Superhawk, three Suzuki X-6 Hustlers and my 1967 Yamaha YM2C 305 Big Bear.

Award classes are: American to 1953; American, 1954-1975; British to 1964; British, 1965-1975; Euro-pean to 1964; European, 1965-1975; Japanese to 1970; Japanese, 1971-1975; Competition to 1969; Competition, 1970-1975; Specials and Customs. Also featured were the 2008 Cycle World magazine awards, presented by Larry Little, Cycle World publisher, and Peter Egan, long-time motorcycle columnist.

“Our judges come from many walks of life. … This year Tom White of White Brothers, a big early

Big Bear wins Cycle World awardVJMs enjoy strong showing at Hall of Fame Museum concours

VJM champs at the 2008 Hall of Fame Concours d’EleganceJapanese to 19701st: 1967 Yamaha 305 YM2C Big Bear2nd: 1970 Honda CL3503rd: 1967 Suzuki X-6

Japanese 1971-19751st: 1973 Kawasaki Z12nd: 1976 Honda CB5503rd: 1971 Honda SL70

Specials & Customs to 19753rd: 1972 Honda CB350 cafe racer

2008 Cycle World magazine award1967 Yamaha 305 YM2C Big Bear


motocross bike collector and restorer judged,” Mederski said. “We had 17 judges, including two guest judges” in Little and Egan. “This gave us a range of experience and skills that made me comfortable. Bikes are judged compara-tively, not against 100 points. In most classes we are looking for machines that appear now as they did when they came

from the crate.”The Japanese motorcycle owner/re-

storers who were invited to attend this year’s competition represented our por-tion of vintage motorcycling admirably. The bikes were definitely at the top of their class and the judges commented repeatedly about “learning how to ride” on our VJMs. There was always a group of spectators

around the Japanese bike area; not many riders began on a four-cylinder Indian or Henderson.

That Cycle World publisher Little chose my Yamaha was exciting. To be rec-ognized among all the magnificent entrants was a real honor.

www.motorcyclemuseum.org

Beautiful Vetter Rickman resto


This story is used courtesy of the American Motorcyclist Association and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. — Ed.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is packed with classic bikes, historic racers and timeless style. But occasionally a machine appears that embodies all three: in 2008 it was Craig Vetter’s Rickman-framed, Kawasaki-powered vintage race bike.

Vetter’s bike is the real deal. “It has an AMA racing pedigree. It’s original. It’s flashy. Not many around

like this,” Vetter said.Vetter acquired numerous nickel-plated Rickman frame kits in the early

1970s for Triumphs, Hondas and Kawasakis. One of those frames found its way into a Vetter race bike, at the urging of Derek Rickman, who along with his brother, Don, invented the Rickman frames. Built for the AMA’s Café Class, the bike was powered by a Russ Collins-tuned Kawasaki 903 engine, bored to 1,100cc, and fitted with a special version of Darryl Bassani’s Quiet Pipe, and rode on then-new V-rated Michelin race tires.

In 1976, Vetter took the Rickman to Daytona and put those tires to the test, scoring third behind Lang Hindle and Mike Baldwin in the Café Class. The bike was retired shortly after. In 1998, it was donated to the AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

But that’s only half the story of this certifiably cool motorcycle. In late 2007, Vetter and Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Executive Director Mark Mederski solicited the talents of VJMC member Robert Simpson to restore

Simpson restores second Rickman bike


Vetter’s old Rickman. Simpson had just won first-place honors at the Hall of Fame Museum’s Concours d’Elegance for a re-stored Rickman-framed bike of his own, a 1974 CR750.

Simpson, in turn, pulled together a res-toration crew that included his son Scott, Gerry Gibbens, Chuck Zorn and Mike Grych. They disassembled the Rickman and rebuilt it from the frame up.

“Rickman frames were about as ex-otic as an average American could expect

to get,” Vetter recalled. “I thought he was just going to polish it, but he’s turned it into something that’s just beautiful.”

Simpson explained that a large part of the appeal for the Vetter Rickman comes from its rarity and styling.

“The younger crowd entering our sport has a greater interest in things old than we did growing up,” Simpson said. “The in-terest in café-styled bikes has probably helped, as well.”

The beautifully restored bike was on

display in the café racer display at the 2008 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. If you’ve never been to Vintage Motorcycle Days, now’s the time to pencil it in for 2009.

Enjoy these photos from the Vetter Rickman bike’s restoration process and of the finished project.

www.motorcyclemuseum.orgwww.amadirectlink.orgwww.craigvetter.com


By Roger SmithPhotos by Ronnie Brown

The restoration of vintage Japa-nese motorcycles can be simplified by networking with people who have been doing the work for years. When I found that Ron Finch, the custom bike builder who won the Discovery Channel’s “Bike Build-off,” would paint my Japanese parts and has a shop 10 miles from my home, my painting challenges were over. Having a veteran, certified mechanic at my local Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki dealer, who will work on 40-year-old bikes, is a real plus, too!

One of the best finds was Brown’s Plating in Paducah, Ky. For more than 38 years, Brown’s Plating has been in business and focused on the motorcycle industry. One of their claims to fame is their quick turn-around time. In the summer, they need around five days to get parts finished and on the way back. In the winter, because of the increased workload, it takes them about two weeks.

I have used their service in restoring my 1966 Suzuki X-6, 1967 Yamaha YM2C Big Bear, 1965 Honda 305 Scrambler, 1980 Honda CBX and now with my 1973 Honda CL450K5. Those bikes have been present-ed on the cover of magazines, have won the AMA Concours d’Elegance and achieved the AMCA’s highest award – The AMCA

Winner’s Circle of Champions. There is no doubt in my mind that

Brown’s chrome-plating played a big part in these achievements, because I listen to spectators at the shows and speak with the judges after they have made their decisions. Deep, crystal-clear chrome is an attention-getter and wins competitions.

To many of us, what chrome-platers do with our parts is a mystery. Brown’s web-

site, www.brownsplating.com, has a great video showing their workers in action. I wanted to get the details direct from owner Ronnie Brown:

“Brown’s Plating Service started plat-ing in 1968. We plated everything from pay station telephones to automobile and mo-torcycle parts. Through the years, with ded-icated employees and loyal customers, we built a reputation for producing extremely

An inside look at chrome-platingRonnie Brown of Brown’s Plating shares some tricks of the trade

This is how most parts look when they arrive at Brown’s: Rusted, corroded and stained.

These parts, left, are ready to be beadblasted to remove rust and any other old chrome or material that was not eliminating in the stripping process. After being blasted, right, they are very clean and ready to begin the polishing process.


The first steps, left, to grinding your part to remove all nicks, scrapes and bad spots. For clean-up work in the tight spots, right, Brown’s uses small belts on the tubular parts to keep their shape.

SEA FOAMMotor Treatment Trans Tune

Deep Creep Bugs-B-Gone

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high quality products with service after the sale, second to none.

“Customers know that Brown’s returns their phone calls. We answer questions be-fore and after the job is done. If the cus-tomer has a problem with a piece we have plated, we make it right. We know how the restoration of vintage Japanese motorcy-cles is growing and we welcome that mar-ket with open arms.

“We will do our best to plate your parts and make them look brand new. All of our employees have been with us 20-plus years. ... You will have highly skilled craftsmen working on your parts and the job will be done right the first time and every time.”

Once parts are checked in from the daily delivery trucks, Brown’s Plating as-signs each part a unique number and takes a picture that remain in their system until parts are to be shipped back.

Parts are then “carefully stripped and cleaned of all the old chrome, paint, rust and so on. Then they will be glass-bead blasted to remove stubborn rust or leftover paint or plating, from there they will be ground and polished to a mirror finish in preparation for the plating department.

“The part is ground to remove all pits, scrapes and gouges … we then clean all the tight inside areas where you cannot reach with a normal belt grinder. As you can see, we have developed specialty hand tools for this close tolerance work.

“The part is then buffed to a mirror-like finish to remove all belt lines and marks from grinding. The part must have a uniform finish before it is ready for actual plating.”

Beyond just dipping the part, Ronnie said Brown’s will pay specific attention to each part’s need in the plating process “to give your parts the show stopping quality finish we demand.”

Following part prep, actual plating begins when “the parts are hung up and put onto the plating line for the long trip through cleaning, electro-cleaning and ac-tivation. Each part then goes through elec-troless nickel, sulfamate nickel and copper-plating. A major step is the 80 minutes a part is submerged in the liquid copper to fill all fine scratches and pit marks.

“The copper-plated part is now ready to be unracked and have the copper buffed to fill in all the pits that may still be visible. After the part has been copper-plated and hand buffed, it is cleaned and re-hung. It is now ready for the final trip down the plat-ing line.

This buffing step, above, removes the 320- to 400-grit belt marks, bring-ing the part to a highly polished state. These parts, below, have just been bathed in liquid copper for 80 minutes. Next, they are buffed again to fill in all the pits that may be visible.

Finally. For parts that have been chrome-plated, this is the last step to an awesome finish that will last 20-30 years if maintained properly. Keep the parts cleaned and waxed.


TTTODAYODAYODAY’’’SSS CCCHOICEHOICEHOICE FORFORFOR YYYESTERDAYESTERDAYESTERDAY’’’SSS MMMOTORCYCLESOTORCYCLESOTORCYCLES Vintage to Modern Japanese & European Motorcycle Vintage to Modern Japanese & European Motorcycle Vintage to Modern Japanese & European Motorcycle

MMMOTORCYCLEOTORCYCLEOTORCYCLE CCCLASSICSLASSICSLASSICS OFOFOF

MMMARYLANDARYLANDARYLAND IIINCNCNC...

KZ’s, CB’s, XS’s, KZ’s, CB’s, XS’s, KZ’s, CB’s, XS’s, Goldwings Goldwings Goldwings

And most other And most other And most other models!models!models!

Services:Services:Services: Repair / MaintenanceRepair / MaintenanceRepair / Maintenance

Restoration / CustomizationRestoration / CustomizationRestoration / Customization Polishing / Bead BlastingPolishing / Bead BlastingPolishing / Bead Blasting High Performance TuningHigh Performance TuningHigh Performance Tuning

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“During that final trip, it will be dipped into semi-bright nickel, then bright nickel and next low-sulfur nickel. The final step is to place the part into a vat of environmentally safe Trivalent chrome-plating for a durable finish that will last for years.

“Lots of people think that you just dip a part in chrome and it comes out shiny. As you can see from these details, that is not the case at Brown’s Plating.

“Plating is like life, you get out of it what you put into it. And we put a lot into your part so the outcome is what you expect. We do plating for all brands and enjoy making vintage Japanese motorcycle parts look great.”

www.brownsplating.com

Top-notch chrome on a VJM is always a nice sight.


cLassiFieds

A vintage Japanese motorcycle is 20 years or older (vintage for this year was manufactured through 1988) and, of course, Japanese. Please be aware that ads may/will be edited to conserve space. Don’t feel reluctant to use punctuation and proper case on emailed

ads. Be aware of publication deadlines. Ads are due by the 20th of the month in which a magazine is issued for the NEXT release. For example, ads for the April 2009 magazine will be due to the editor by Feb. 20, 2009. If you have business related ads, please consider taking out a commercial ad. Contact Bob Billa, 949-433-3580 or [email protected], or me for details and rate information. We can now handle color photos to accompany your ads. Cost is a minimal $10 per photo. Please make payment to VJMC or to me, in either case, please send to the address below.

Send all ads, and money for photos ($10 per picture, one picture per listing), to: Gary Gadd, 3721 Holland St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76180; call 817-284-8195; or email [email protected].

For Sale

Honda

For 1964/73 Honda, Cheng Shin tires. I have a large sup-ply of new Cheng Shin tire sets for the CA100, CA110, S65, CL125A, CA95, CA160, CL160, CL175, CA77, CB77, CL77, CB350 and CL350. Email me with your zip code for prices and shipping costs. Bill Gray, 615-941-1751, Nashville, Ten-nessee, [email protected]

For 1964/69 Honda, Parts. NOS and used parts for CB/CL/CA160, S65, CA95, VT500, SL/XL70. Includes fenders, head-light shells, chain guards, elec-trics, side covers, engine parts, carbs, levers, perches … a lot of everything. Paul Enz, 321-268-5461, Titusville, Florida, [email protected]

1964 Honda C200 (90cc Dream). For restoration. Indi-ana title. Call or email for details. $425. Stu Jones, 765-385-5227, Oxford, Indiana, [email protected]

Honda, many different mod-els 1965-1976, 50-450cc. I am selling by auction my entire collection of Vintage Hondas, as well as my collection of rare motorcycle memorabilia, NOS parts, paper collectibles, toys, dealer signs, dealer banners, etc. There are about 50-60 bikes, SL70s – 350s, Z50s, CR125-250s, XLs, CB160s, CB77, 68 CL450s, 68/69 CL350s, CB450 Bomber and more. 200+ NOS exhaust, 20+ NOS seats, 40 to 50 NOS Fuel Tanks, 150+ NOS Speedos and Tachs, NOS

fenders, side covers, handle bars, number plates, headlight buckets, rims, vintage tires, 800+ NOS owners manuals, 2,000+ magazines and rare is-sues, rare sales brochures and literature, factory shop manu-als, rare NOS tank badges, motorcycle cigarette lighters, beautiful Evel Knievel Pinball machine, etc., and as they say in auction listings, “other items to numerous to mention!” The sale date has been set for Jan. 17, 2009. Be sure not to miss this, as there will be a lot of rare items all in one place.

Huge Motorcycle Auction: The Hawk Collection

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009; 9 a.m.Selling a very large collection of vintage Japa-nese motorcycles. Several dozen motorcycles to sell, with most being in original condition. Also selling will be a huge selection of NOS Japanese motorcycle parts.

(Sale is 1-1/2 miles east of Hamilton, IL. Hamilton is in extreme western Illinois, approximately 150 miles north of St. Louis, MO, 100 miles south of Moline, IL, and 200 miles southeast of Des Moines, IA.)

Live Internet bidding will be available. Go to www.sullivanauctioneers.com for photos, inventory list-ings, live Internet bidding information, etc.

Sellers: Sullivan Auctioneers LLC, 217-847-2160, www.sullivanauctioneers.com, sullivanauctioneers@ frontiernet.net, 1066 E. U.S. Highway 136, P.O. Box 111, Hamilton, IL 62341-0111. IL license No. 444000107.

www.sullivanauctioneers.com

Interested in Old Motorcycles?Join the Antique Motorcycle Club of America! The largest organization in the country devoted to antique motorcycles. Membership includes an 88 page full-color quarterly magazine loaded with feature articles, restoration tips and a free Want Ad section.Sign me up!Name ______________________________________Address _____________________________________City _______________________ State ___ Zip ______Dues: U.S. Residents ..........$30.00 Canada ............. $34.00Mail to: Antique Motorcycle Club of America Inc. P.O. Box 400 VJ, Mound, MN 55364 - 0400 Or join online: www.antiquemotorcycle.org

To participate in club events and place want ads bikes must be 35 years old.

Join the Club!


cLassiFiedsThey will have photos of items on the website along with live bidding a week prior for those who cannot make the trip. You will have to register to bid on-line ahead of time with Sullivan Auctioneers LLC, 217-847-2160, sullivanauctioneers.com, [email protected], 1066 E. U.S. Highway 136, P.O. Box 111, Hamilton, IL 62341-0111. Thanks in ad-vance for your interest. Gary Hawk, 309-221-9995, Central Illinois, [email protected]

1965 Honda CB77. Stock and almost complete Super Hawk. Under 5,000 miles. $2,900 obo. Michael Wall, 828-524-8319, Franklin, North Carolina, [email protected]

1966 Honda S90. Restored in mid ‘90s. Nice condition, black with nice chrome. $1,800. Stuart Rotan, 559-859-3677, Central California, [email protected]

1967 Honda CB160 Sport. Blue with blue seat, lots of new NOS parts on bike. Still has original tires, tool kit, NOS exhaust, ca-bles, speedometer. $3,500. Eric King, 660-341-5818, Missouri, [email protected]

1967 Honda CL77 305cc Scrambler. Black powdercoated frame, NOS spokes, rear wheel, tail light, mirrors, etc. Really too many re-chromed and NOS parts to list here. Please contact me and I will email photos and further description. $4,500. Ru-fus Palmer, 205-477-9767, Mc-Calla, Alabama, [email protected]

1969 Honda SS125. 8,000 miles, limited production, origi-nal owner, runs good, stored inside, original paint. $1,750. George, 586-286-3793 Ma-comb, Michigan

1969 Honda CB750 Sandcast. $5,000. This is a complete rolling basket case, with cor-rect parts and has a clear title. Pictures available. Please call if you need more information. Bill Maxwell, 425-557-9914, Se-attle, Washington, [email protected]

1970 Honda CD175. For parts. Motor turns over, red, no title.

$200. Stu Jones, 765-385-5227, Oxford, Indiana, [email protected]

For mid 1970s-early 1980s CB750, exhausts; 4 into 4 and 4 into 2. no dents, some rust dots. Dashboard speed and tack signals. Plastic lens covers. 4 bank carbs, twin coil assembly, some side covers, seat. Early 1960s 50cc step thru, missing plastic cowl, surface rust. Com-plete P50 motor in wheel bike, complete except exhaust and flywheel cover. Engine for late model CT90; complete with all levers and carb. or 160cc, re-conditioned cylinder head with carbs. Complete CL175E ladies bike. Low slung with passenger backrest and luggage rack. Ignition switch and connector missing. Also lots of new cables and spark plugs. Walter Kimmel, 718-851-1237, Brooklyn, New York

For 1970-’74 Honda CB750 SOHC, parts. I have liter-ally hundreds of parts, some of them extremely rare such as a brand new Tracy Body Kit (never used), ‘69 Side cov-ers and badges, custom made rear set foot pegs (I believe they were made in Sweden or Switzerland) and are all cast aluminum and never used, an original owners manual for a ’69, hundreds and hundreds of new and good used parts.Two frames – one that has had the seat mounts removed to use with the Tracy Body Kit, the other one stock, clear title for a 1974 with VIN plate, special oil box for use with the Tracy Body. I bought out the contents of all the 750 parts an old mom and pop salvage yard had in-cluding all their new and used parts. I have so many parts that I can’t even remember most of them. I would love to see these parts go to someone who ap-preciates them. Four engines (in parts), one I completely rebuilt and did run very good but smoked slightly and I took the head back off and found that the exhaust valve guides did not have the proper seals. I purchased all the proper tools and started to replace the guides but became afraid I might damage the head so I stopped. Several gas tanks, side covers, drilled front rotor,

special tools. Most parts are in the attic of my workshop so if you may be interested come and visit me and wear old, dirty clothes because you will have to go up attic stairs and get the parts down. I absolutely assure that you will not be dis-appointed as the body kit alone is worth over $1,000. I do not have any of the original exhaust systems, but I have two 4 into 1. Please email if you might be interested. I would like to get about $3,500 for the entire col-lection and I really don’t want to sell it part by part except I might sell the Tracy Body Kit, special frame and oil box separately. Pictures available on request on the parts I can easily get to. Located in Central Florida about halfway between Tampa and Orlando. Jerry Peterson, 863-412-2006, Florida, [email protected]

1972 Honda CB175K6. Gold/black, 6,580 original miles, excellent condition, stored in A/C garage. $2,000 obo. Herbert Selbach, North Caro-lina, 910-794 9350 [email protected]

1972-’75 Hondas. Three MT250s. All run and shift. But one needs a carb, the best one is titled as historic in Maryland. Others not titled or tagged. Many parts included, spare mo-tor cases, etc. The SL125 is very nice, runs well, starts well, green color, spare NOS fenders and headlight bucket. Front fender is dented. XL70 runs and includes spares. I would like to sell all these bikes and parts as one lot. Have a disk with many photos. All bikes stored inside since last ridden 12 months ago. Dave A., 410-279-8858, Annapolis, Mary-land, [email protected]

1972 Honda CB350F. Great restoration project. Bike is com-plete and in decent shape but has been sitting for some time.

I would love to keep it but I need the money for other projects. Best to contact me by email. Bart, 205-910-8120, Birming-ham, Alabama, [email protected]

1972 Honda CL350. Very nice, 17,500 miles, excellent fac-tory exhaust. New aftermarket rear shocks. Email for photos. $1,250, local pick up only. Wayne Bryan, 870-816-5768, Helena, Arkansas, [email protected]

1974 Honda CL450 Scrambler. Very nice original condition with 12,300 miles. Includes owner’s manual and sales brochure. Ev-erything works, pictures avail-able. $2,100. Rufus Palmer, 205-477-9767, McCalla, Ala-bama, [email protected]

1976 Honda TL125. This is a nice bike. It has the Powroll bore and stroker kit making it a 175. Renthal alloy handle bars and Sammy Miller alloy front fork brace, two-ply tires, plus lots of extras. I am the second owner with my dad being the first. Gas tank is beautiful! Nice seat, fac-tory lighting kit, etc. Buyer will handle pick up of bike. $1,700 firm. James Rozee, 503-287-6620 evenings, Portland, Or-egon, [email protected]

1976 Honda XL350. Black, great restoration project, all original, $500. Scot, 586-468-8472/586-484-6939, Macomb, Michigan

1976-’78 Honda CB750F Super Sport. I have three bikes. Buy all or parts. Only one is complete. Also have seats, tanks, lights, motors, more. Art Tanner, 518-789-0244, Millerton, New York, [email protected]

1979 Honda CX500. Black, 2,200 original miles, excel-lent condition, stored in A/C


cLassiFieds

garage. $2,000 obo. Herbert Selbach, North Carolina, 910-794 9350 [email protected]

1978 Honda 400 twin with good engine, $200. Parting out 50 Hondas, 1969-’80. Yamaha and Honda mopeds. Lots of seats. Four CB450 4-cyl gas tanks, $50 and up. Located near Rhinebeck, New York meet site. Ken Krauer, 845-266-3363, Salt Point, New York

For 1978 Honda Gold Wing, parts. Lots of plastic side covers. Two rear drive units, two radia-tors with fans, front fenders with emblems, oil filter cover, fuel pump, carb and manifold set, misc small parts. $300 for the lot or will separate. Ken Krauer, 845-266-3363, Salt Point, New York

1980 Honda CT110 Trail. Red, complete, original, 410 miles, runs, licensed, insured, all electrics work. Tons of pho-tos and even a video and an

audio file at www.marusholilac.com/honda/ct110.htm. $1,600. Ralph Walker, 703-237-0859, Arlington, Virginia, [email protected]

1983 Honda CT110. 2,150 miles, red, aux fuel canister. Great for the back of an RV. $1,900. Stuart Rotan, 559-859-3677, Central California, [email protected]

1983 Honda CB550SC Night-hawk. Garaged for a few years, needs battery and TLC. $300. Fran, 631-889-4035, Hunting-ton, Long Island, New York, [email protected]

1984 Honda V65 Sabre. Non-running. Complete with title. Mike Stavish, 301-252-2618, Mount Airy, Maryland

KawasaKi

For Kawasaki A1/7, lots of gaskets, plus some complete kits. Email me with PN’s or your

needs. Maybe I can help. Also, new carb float bowl gaskets for Kawasaki H1 H2 S2 and S3. $2 each plus shipping, while they last. Fran Golden, 661-822-7149, [email protected]

1976 Kawasaki KZ750 B1 par-allel twin. All original to include tool kit except new tires, battery, seat recovered. Electric and kick start. Crash bar w/inside foot rest, sissy bar w/luggage rack. Chrome is good, runs ex-cellent, overall good condition. $1,750. Bob Miller, 419-305-4482, Rockford, Ohio, [email protected].

1976 Kawasaki KZ1000. Totally cosmetically and mechanically restored this year. Purple. All aluminum polished, all chrome as new. Many performance parts, cam, header, K&M intake, Mustang seat, short windshield, fork brace, dual disk, ignition. Show stopper. $4,200 obo. Kirk Johnson, 260-622-1358, Fort Wayne, Indiana, [email protected]

1977 Kawasaki KZ1000. Total-ly restored to immaculate con-dition, beautiful orange paint is metal flake with ghost flames. Engine has been polished, sport fender, Viper windshield, Accell ignition, oversized carbs, bored, Vance four into one header, extremely fast. One of a kind. $3,990 obo. Kirk Johnson, 260-622-1358, Fort Wayne, Indiana, [email protected]

For 1978 Kawasaki KE250, parts. Seat, $30. Tank, $20. Side panels, $10 each. Stu Jones, 765-385-5227, Oxford, Indiana, [email protected]

1978 KZ1000 Z1R. Less than 10k miles. All original except for pipe. Currently has Vance and Hines 4 into 1 system, original excellent condition exhaust is available. Bike has

won several trophies in vari-ous shows. I am asking $8,500 or best acceptable offer. Moti-vated seller. Shawn Slaughter, 410-868-0257, [email protected]

1979 Kawasaki KE100. Very nice enduro type on/off road bike. 4,700 miles. Great en-gine, starts right up. Very good tank, seat, etc. No dents or rips. $475. Email for pics. Greg Karbowski, 616-638-5193, Hol-land, Michigan, [email protected]

1979 Kawasaki KZ650SR. Recent tires, sprockets, chain, brake pads, grips. two seats, StreetShieldEX, original tool kit and manual. Indiana title. $950 obo. Stu Jones, 765-385-5227, Oxford, Indiana, [email protected]

1979 Kawasaki KZ650SR. Runs good, kick/electric start, new tires, Runs good, average condition. $1,000. Bob Miller, 419-305-4482, Rockford, Ohio, [email protected]

1979 Kawasaki KZ750B4. Dark blue with red and gold pin strip-ing, 4,100 miles. All original with owner’s manual and tool kit. Carbs rebuilt in 2004. 55 hp, av-erages 50 mpg, 200 mile range. Built 1976 to 1979. Vertical twin looks similar to Triumph Bonn-eville. $2,750. Zorian Lasowsky, 262-227-4345, Milwaukee, Wis-consin, [email protected]

1987 Kawasaki ZL1000. High Performance 140 hp. Totally restored to immaculate condi-tion, beautiful black pearl me-tallic paint with ghost flames. Over $6,000 in performance upgrades make this a one of a kind tire smoking beast of epic proportions. This bike is beautiful, totally unusual, rare, and turns heads everywhere it goes. Absolutely one of a kind. $4,650. Kirk Johnson, 260-622-1358, Fort Wayne, Indiana, [email protected]

LiLac/MarusHo

1957 Lilac UY2 250cc. May be the only example in the U.S. All


cLassiFieds

there (I think). Turns over, titled. I have pics on personal website. $4,000. Charlie Finney, 563-355-7727, Bettendorf, Iowa, [email protected]

suzuKi

1965 Suzuki S32-2 Olympian. Complete and in good cosmetic condition but needs minor work to be roadworthy. Has cool looking Bates saddle bags and windshield. Bike only has 925 miles and was an early produc-tion model with full front fender similar to Honda Dreams. Have several spare parts. $700 obo. Tim Flanagan, 775-240-4498, Reno, Nevada, [email protected]

1967 Suzuki X5 T200. Beauti-ful un-restored example in good running condition. These bikes are much rarer than the X6 and in my opinion better looking. Very presentable as is and ex-cellent for a restoration down the road. I would like $1,700 for the bike alone and I also have over $1,600 in new parts available to the buyer at a great price. John Pavich, 828-294-0158, Hickory, North Carolina, [email protected]

1970 Suzuki TC120. Showroom condition, complete restora-tion by Paul Miller Motorcycles. $1,900. Tim Flanagan, 775-240-4498, Reno, Nevada, [email protected]

For 1971-’75 Suzuki T500, numerous parts. I bought a pile of parts and only needed two things from it. Includes stock mufflers, complete engine, swing arm, chain guard, electrics, headlights, taillight assembly, carbs and

misc parts. These parts all fit my 1974 bike. Can email pics. Priced very reasonably, I need to move this stuff. Will trade for parts that I need for Bridgestone 175DT, RD125C, MT250 K0, 1972 T350, DT175B, RD250B, 1964 BSA Lightning, etc. Rob Manero, 267-614-1616, Southeast Pennsylvania, [email protected]

For Sale: 1971 and 1975 Su-zuki T500 Titan. These are project bikes or organ do-nors. One engine is seized at the crank, the other kicks over and seems to have good compression. Could be made into one decent bike or parted out. I just need them out of my shed. $450 takes the lot. Pick up only, I cannot ship. Feel free to contact me with questions. Paul, 413-596-8271, Wilbraham, Mas-sachusetts, [email protected]

1972 Suzuki TS185. Old classic enduro. $450. Scot, 586-468-8472/586-484-6939, Macomb, Michigan

1972-’74 Suzuki GT550. I have a couple of parts bikes. I have tanks, side covers, mo-tors, carbs, exhaust, more. Also some GT380 bikes and parts. Art Tanner, 518-789-0244, Mil-lerton, New York, chains6@

hotmail.com

1973 Suzuki TS125. Classic en-duro with less than 4,000 original miles. Clean, runs well, pictures available. William Fritsch, 651-438-3306, Hastings, Minnesota, [email protected]

1973 Suzuki GT550. Red, ap-prox. 10k miles, original owner. Please contact me for informa-tion. Curt Madsen, 608-833-0448, Madison, Wisconsin, [email protected]

1977 Suzuki GT250. Nice origi-nal bike. Email me for more de-tails, pictures and price. Other vintage Japanese bikes and parts also available. Todd Rit-ter, 231-773-5442, Muskegon, Michigan, [email protected]

1977 Suzuki GS550. 16,000 miles, Windjammer fairing w/AM-FM-cassette radio. Good condition, new fork oil seals, tune-up. $1,350. Bob Miller, 419-305-4482, Rockford, Ohio, [email protected].

1979 Suzuki GS550L. Illness forces sale. Needs battery and TLC. Low Mileage, 6,809. Fran, 631-889-4035, Huntington, Long Island, New York, [email protected]

1981 Suzuki GS850G. Less than 2,000 miles, sat for 19 years. New fork oil and dust seals, brakes and carbs re-built. Original tires feel like they’re flat-spotted from sit-ting. Side covers damaged and tank paint marred by brake fluid from carelessness and inexperience of prior owner. Have new factory side cov-ers - unpainted. Spare carbs (‘82 and ‘80) for extra price or sell separate. Runs excel-lent. $2,500. Bob Miller, 419-

305-4482, Rockford, Ohio, [email protected].

ToHaTsu

1958 Tohatsu LB2 125cc. Nice, runner, titled. I have pics on per-sonal website. $5,000. Charlie Finney, 563-355-7727, Betten-dorf, Iowa, [email protected]

YaMaHa

1965 Yamaha Big Bear, two bikes. Located near Rhinebeck, New York meet site. Ken Krauer, 845-266-3363, Salt Point, New York

1965 Yamaha YDS-3. It’s a pre-restored beauty that I don’t have time to restore. Needs a loving home. Make me a reasonable offer. It’s all there except one rear turn signal. I have pics. Peter Leland, 207-833-5708, Brunswick, Maine, [email protected]

1966 Yamaha YM-1. Amazing survivor in beautiful condition. No rust-even inside of the gas tank is perfect. Looks and runs perfect, new tires, seat profes-sionally done at a cost of $600, new standard pistons. Comes with many spare parts. Perfect to ride as is for several years and then use the parts for a con-cours restoration. $2,800. John Pavich, 828-294-0158, Hickory, North Carolina, [email protected]

1972 Yamaha DS7 250cc. All original with some NOS parts. Mechanically sound. Nice condition with the expected patina for its age. Has been dry stored since 1994. 11,727 miles, with title. Great basis for a restoration or a great parts bike. Email for pics. $1,600. Steve Liberatore, 770-

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If you enjoyed this issue of the VJMC magazine, why not pass on the legacy to a friend. It is easier than ever to join our great organization. Simply go to www.vjmc.org and click the “Join the VJMC” button. Our dues are $30 per year, which entitles you to a year’s worth (six issues) of the club’s bimonthly magazine, and our event sched-ule is growing monthly for the benefit of members.

If preferred, your friend may fill out the form below and send it along with the dues to Bill Granade, 13309 Moran Drive, Tampa, FL 33618-3011.

New Member Name: ___________________________________________

Date: ___________ Address: ____________________________________

City:_____________________ State: _____ Zip: _______

Preferred Brands: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ________________

Email: ___________________________

Referred By: ___________________________________

Dues: $30 one year; $55 two years; $80 three years

cLassiFieds420-5901, Kennesaw, Georgia, [email protected]

Yamaha: AT125, 360cc DT1, 1970s vintage $250 each. Two 1965 Yamaha Big Bear Scramblers. Suzuki S6, $250. Honda CB160, CB175, CL175, 70cc and 50cc from 1970-’83, Yamaha and Honda mopeds, parting out. All Cheap. Ken Krauer, 845-266-3363, Salt Point, New York

Yamaha SR500. Parting out. Tanks, seats, wheels, many parts. Frame with title, title with no frame, motor parts, cases, speedo and tach, rear fender with light, swing arm. Larry Larson, 239-283-6198, 3670 Outrigger Lane, St. James City, Florida, 33956

1979 Yamaha XS1100SF. New tires, front and rear brakes, brake lines, windshield, saddle-bags. Clean and ready to ride. Lady owned, just serviced. Patricia Shockley, 901-366-9769, Memphis, Tennessee, [email protected]

1981-’83 Yamaha Maxim 650 and Seca 750. I’m parting out 15 Maxims and Secas. Also have a few SX650, 750, 850 and the little SX400. Call or drop by. Stephen Horton, 717-532-6147, Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania

1982 Yamaha Vision. Non-run-ning. Complete with title. Mike Stavish, 301-252-2618, Mount Airy, Maryland

1982 Yamaha Seca 750. 27k miles, red, nose fairing. $2,000 obo. Steven, 817-657-5464 or Gary, 817-284-8195, Fort Worth, Texas

1983 Yamaha XJ900 Seca. Currently not running, light dam-age on the left side. Selling for parts or for a Fall/Winter proj-ect. Please email me for all the details. Roy Noepel, 718-414-1665, Norwood, Massachusetts, [email protected]

MisceLLaneous

1967-’90 Japanese street bikes, 50-1,100cc. I’ve found

the barn find all of us have been seeking all our lives! There’s 400 junkers broken into boxes, hundreds of motors, pipes, carbs, everything! All must go before snow (soon here). Wanted you to help me keep this from the scrapper, quickly. Check Ebay user “yourjunkie” for a glimpse. I need physical help now, will trade for parts. Big fun, you come. Just north of Winnipeg, Canada, The Virtual Junkyard has set up a temporary branch office. Bruce Mangels, Cottonwood, Arizona, [email protected]/Virtu-allyJunk.com

Whole or Parts. 1978 Yamaha 650, 1977 Suzuki GS750, 1981-’82 Yamaha Virago, 1977 Yamaha 750, 1986 Yamaha XT350, 1972 Suzuki 120, 1971 Kawasaki 250, 1977 KZ400, 1975 Yamaha 125, all 95 per-cent complete. 1977 Yamaha 650, Honda CL450, 60 percent complete. 1972 Kawasaki 125, 1975 Yamaha DOHC 500, 90 percent complete. Two 1982 Yamaha Seca Turbos, 95 percent complete. 1975 Gold Wing 40 percent complete.

Mike Stavish, 301-252-2618, Mount Airy, Maryland

Ed’s Motorcycle and ATV Salvage. Over 15,000 used Japanese parts in stock. 814-239-2253, Claysburg, Pennsyl-vania, [email protected]

Manuals. Honda MT250K1 and MT250-76 Parts manual. Yamaha XS650H and HS shop manual. Honda 100/125 shop manual; covers CB100, CL100, SL100, CB125S, CD125, SL125 and TL125. These three manuals are all original factory manuals. I also have a Yamaha XS650, XS650, XS1,XS2, TX650 parts manual and a Ya-maha model code list. I’m ask-ing $10 per manual plus $4 for shipping in the continental US. Ellis Holman, 317-691-4242, In-dianapolis, Indiana, [email protected]

Ignition Parts. KZ400A, new ignition breaker plate with points, condensers and wir-ing. Kawasaki tune-up kits for 1977-’79 KZ650; 1976-’77 KZ750 B1/B2, KE100 A5/A6;


cLassiFieds1980 KZ550 A1, KZ250 D1; 1972-’75 S1 A/B/C, KD100 M1/2/3/4, G5 /B/C; 1972-’73 S2A; 1976 KH250 A5/A6, KV100 A7; 1978-’79 KZ200 A1/A2, KL250 A1/A2; 1980-’82 KE125 A7/A8/A9; 1982 KD80; 1969-’70 G3TR; 1969-’74 G3SS A/B/C/D; 1975 G3SSE; 1976-’78 KH100B, KD100 M1/M2/M3/M4; 1976-’79 KM100 A1/A2/A3/A4, KM100 A1/A2/A3/A4; 1975-’79 KD125 A2/A3/A4; 1974-’75 KS125A, MC1M A; 1975-’76 KD80 A2; 1973-’75 MC1 A/B. Points and condesers for most other Kawasakis. Most points and condensers for most Hondas. Fiber clutch discs for 1973-’76 Honda CB250, 1969-’73 CB/CL/SL 350, 1974-’77 CB/CL360. Suzuki tune-up kits for 1977 GS750, Kokuson igni-tion; 1977-’79 GS550 E, Koku-son; 1979 GS500L, Kokuson; 1971-’77 GT380/550/750 Den-so ignition; TC/TS125/90/100, TM/TS 75, TS50, T100, T125, A100, Denso ignition. Points and condensers for most other Suzukis. Yamaha tune-up kits for XS400 D/E/F/2F, XS360 C/D/2D, RD350 A/B, RD250 A/B. Points and condensers for most other Yamahas. Wil-liam Mack, 865-983-4204, 2329 Airbase Road, Louis-ville, Tennessee, 37777, [email protected]

Wanted

Honda

1962 Honda Cuby. Looking for 19cc engine and any parts or literature. Tom Kolenko, 770-427-4820, Atlanta, Georgia, [email protected]

For 1965 Honda CB160, need a set of nice handlebars. Jack Krepps, 405-550-1101, Edmond, Oklahoma, [email protected]

For mid-1960s Honda CL77, looking for red frame. Original or restored in very good to mint condition. Dave Anderson, 804-321-4444 Ext. 111, Richmond, Virginia, [email protected]

Honda CB450 Black Bomber. I’d like to buy a Black Bomber in good running condition. Nha Nguyen, 972-267-5949, Dallas,

Texas, [email protected]

For 1966 Honda CB160, need stock handlebars and controls in nice shape. Jack Krepps, 405-550-1101, Edmond, Oklahoma, [email protected]

For 1967 Honda CL72, looking for fuel cap latching mechanism for original aluminum tank. Al-ready have a tank and a cap, but latch pin, latch, and spring are missing. Part number for tank was 17500 273 405. Sam Bryant, Virginia, [email protected]

For 1967-’68 Honda CL77, I need a set of fork tubes. Must be in good shape with no pits or bends. Curtis Shields, 740-272-7629, Ostrander, Ohio, [email protected]

For 1968 Honda CL175 Scram-bler, right carburetor flange adapter. Part number is 16273-235-004. Last part needed for restoration. Tony Odil, 615-449-5196, Lebanon, Tennessee, [email protected]

For 1968 Honda CL175, need two intake valves, part No. 14711-235-010, new or good used. All 175 motors use the same valve, I think. Ron Rospo, 518-663-8217, Troy, New York, [email protected]

For Honda QA, need a com-plete rear wheel. Colin Young, 518-899-9002, Mechanicville, New York, [email protected]

1969-’74 Honda CB750. Will pay top dollar for the right bike; low miles, original, unmolested, almost rust free. Does not have to run. Send pictures and info via email. Also looking for NOS or real good CB750 parts. I will arrange and pay all shipping costs. Don Sherman, 225-343-7260, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, [email protected]

1971 Honda CL450K4. I am looking for an orange color. Jock Rotella, 315-469-5004/315-263-1269, Syracuse, New York, [email protected]

For 1971 Honda CB750K1, need 4 original exhausts. Need not be perfect. Also need head-light ears. Reasonable price for pensioner or can swap for rare

two-stroke parts, such as Ka-wasaki triples, Yamaha TZ and TD, etc. Frederick Pretorius, 614-419-8741, Columbus, Ohio, [email protected]

For 1974 Honda CB550, I need a front brake caliper. Scud, 815-436-1735, [email protected]

For 1984 Honda VT500FT, gas tank in good condition, any color, red preferred. Jim Fambrough, 706-974-0115, Atlanta, Georgia, [email protected]

For 1987 Honda CMX250, I’m looking for a left side chrome air cleaner cover and other misc. parts for this little Rebel. If you happen to have or know of one, please contact me. Ted, 843-655-7083, [email protected]

KawasaKi

350/500cc Engine. I am building a track bike and need a single cylinder 350-500cc two-stroke Kawasaki engine. Also need electrics and ex-haust. Please let me know if you can help me. Mark Mor-rison, 309-662-5371, Bloom-ington, Illinois, [email protected]

For 1974 Kawasaki KZ400, clutch friction discs or complete clutch assembly, engine right side gasket, head gasket or complete engine gasket set. Tony Menditto, 845-224-5487, New York, [email protected]

For 1974 Kawasaki Z1A, I am looking for original burgundy bodywork. I have NOS 1973 bodywork in excellent condi-tion that I would consider trading. David Thomas, 561-540-4173, West Palm Beach, Florida, [email protected]

For 1983 Kawasaki ELR, set of tires. Looking for NOS or reproductions of the Dunlops, Front was 100/90-19, Rear was 120/90-18. Ed, 586-872-3839

suzuKi

For 1965-’67 Suzuki T10 250 and S32 150cc, need complete carbs and carb covers for a T10. Need front and rear sprockets for an S32. Rene Blouin, 418-873-3160, Quebec, Canada, [email protected]

For 1978 Suzuki GS750, look-ing for hard bags for GS750 or compatible model. Would settle for mounting brackets and hard-ware. Brian Hanley, 352-873-9053, Ocala, Florida, [email protected]

Suzuki GS1100E. In good con-dition. I love these bikes and will be willing to pick up. Kirk Johnson, 260-622-1358, Fort Wayne, Indiana, [email protected]

ToHaTsu

1960s Tohatsu RunPet Sport 50cc. Non runners OK. Tom Ko-lenko, 770-427-4820, Atlanta, Georgia, [email protected]

1962-’63 Tohatsu LD-3A. Look-ing for a restored or original Twin Arrow, 125cc. Must be a run-ner. All bikes considered. Ben Schenk, 360-832-8634, Eat-onville, Washington, [email protected]

YaMaHa

For 1964 Yamaha MG1-T 80cc Trail Master, looking for clutch and brake hand levers, exploded parts catalog, No. 914 key, carb kit, foot peg rubbers, kick start rubbers. Mark Tomlinson, 715-425-6528, Wisconsin, [email protected]

For 1966 Yamaha YM1 305cc, rear shocks, NOS or working. Any color, not rusty. Chris, 416-504-4353, [email protected]

For 1968 Yamaha AS-1, need engine for 125cc twin. Does not need to run. I want it mainly for a good working gearbox. Will pay for shipping, etc. All reasonable offers considered. Greg Karbowski, 616-638-5193, Holland, Michigan, [email protected]


Add shipping & handling:All items sent Priority Mail with delivery confirmation $5.50 first item and $3 each additional item USA only. Canadian orders multiply US Mail rate by 1.5 to determine shipping.

Regalia Order FormT-Shirts:• White 100% cotton, printed front and back. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL ... $15Polo Shirts:• Red or white Polo shirts with embroidered club name & logo on left chest,• 100% cotton. Available in sizes M, L, XL and 2XL ................................................ $25Hats:• Black or grey, cotton, baseball style, embroidered club name & logo ................... $15Coffee Mugs:• White ceramic 12 oz, with club name & logo ......................................................... $52002 VJMC Calendars:• 8.5”x11”, nice photos: H1, C100, CB350F, UM1, CB77, H2, X5, etc..................... $5Quantity Item Description Size Price Total

Shipping Charges $_______Enclosed is my check or money order made out to “VJMC” for the total of $_______

Ship to:

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip Code:

SEND YOUR ORDER TO: Tom Kolenko-VJMC • 2443 Elmhurst Blvd. • Kennesaw, GA 30152Regalia Questions?: Email me: [email protected]

cLassiFieds1971 Yamaha DT1 Enduro 250cc. Looking for a fully re-stored or close to stock clean enduro. Will pay top dollar. Den-nis Preston, 714-345-5030, Or-ange County, California, [email protected]

1971 Yamaha RT-1B, 360cc Enduro. Excellent, running original or “restored.” No project bikes please! Will pay top dollar. John J. Cerilli, 510-377-5575, Pleasanton, California, [email protected]

1973-’75 Yamaha RD60. Look-ing for a complete bike that could be easily coaxed into being a good runner by next spring. Pe-ter Hunn, 315-598-8952, Fulton, New York, [email protected]

For 1979 Yamaha RD400 Daytona Special, I am looking for a seat. Philip Padgett, 904-389-0376, Jacksonville, Florida, [email protected]

1971 Yamaha RT-1B Enduro. Excellent, running original or restored. No project bikes, please! Will pay top dollar. John Cerilli, 510-377-5575, Pleasanton, California, [email protected]

1972-’78 Yamaha XS650. I’m looking for a clean Yamaha XS650, the closer to stock the better. I prefer the “standard” style over the “cruiser” style that Yamaha went to with the later models. Randy, 831-238-4197, California, [email protected]

For 1979 Yamaha RD400 Daytona Special, I am looking for a seat. Philip Padgett, 904-389-0376, Jacksonville, Florida, [email protected]

MisceLLaneous

1983 Eddie Lawson Helmet (Bell Star). Looking for full face,

Kawasaki Team Green helmet with white and blue stripe. Ed, 586-872-3839

Looking for Japanese NOS mopeds and motorcycles from the ‘60s and ‘70s for our showroom. If you have anything to offer please contact [email protected].

Looking for Japanese mo-torcycle dealer memorabilia from the 1980s ... neon signs, banners, ashtrays, toys, promo items, lighters, hats, clocks, etc. Tom Kolenko, 770-427-4820, Atlanta, Georgia, [email protected]

Looking for “early” issues of the VJMC magazine/newslet-ter, any from late ‘70s to 2002. Please indicate what you have and how much you want for ‘em. Ed Thompson, Milwaukee, Wis-consin, [email protected]

Motorcycle Mechanics. I des-

perately need ‘Motorcycle Me-chanics’ issues dated April, May and June 2003. I need either the magazines or copies of certain articles. Contact me if you can help. Roger Palmer, 352-442-0696, Florida, [email protected]

Events

24th Annual Classic and Vintage M/C Swap Meet and Show ‘N Shine. Sunday, April 19 from 10 a.m. South Delta Recreation Centre, 1720 56th St. Delta B.C. Canada. Thirty minutes south of Vancouver or 1-1/2 hours north of Se-attle. More than 150 booths in 2008. We have more ven-dors every year. See www.classicbikeswapmeet.com for maps and more information. Hosted by Todd Copan and family, AMCA No. 4291. Todd Copan, 604-299-0020, Clas-sicBikeSwapMeet.com.

WE KEEP IN STOCK MOST OF THE PARTS REQUIRED FOR BOTH ENGINE REBUILDS AND COMPLETE RESTORATION PROJECTS

ORIGINAL MUFFLER SPECIALS:CB750K0/K1 ‘300 TYPE’ SET OF 4 EXHAUSTS CB750K2-K6 (72-76) ‘341 TYPE’ SET OF 4 EXHAUSTSCB750K7 ‘405 TYPE’ SET OF 4 EXHAUSTSCB500F/550K/K1/K76 ‘323, 374 TYPE’ SET OF 4 EXHAUSTSCB350F ‘333 TYPE’ SET OF 4 EXHAUSTS

AFTERMARKET MUFFLERS:CB750K0-K6 4:1 CHROME COMPLETE EXHAUST PLUS MANY MORE

ORDER ONLINE:VAST COMPREHENSIVE AND EASY TO USE, SECURE ONLINE STORE – THOUSANDS OF GENUINE HONDA AND AFTERMARKET SPARE PARTS LISTED FOR HUNDREDS OF MODELS

WE STOCK MANY LARGE COMPONENTS:CYLINDERS, BARRELS, CRANKCASES, WHEELS, TANKS, EXHAUSTS, FAIRING PANELS, SEATS, FRAMES, etc.

PARTS SUPPLIERS FOR ALL HONDA MOTORCYCLES:FROM THE EARLY 60’S AND 70’S CLASSICS TO THE LATEST MODELS

SPECIALISTS IN PARTS FOR HONDA

ALL AT DISCOUNTED PRICES

“The world’s largest Independent Stockist of New Old Stock for Honda Motorcycles”

We receive huge deliveries of old and obsolete Honda parts throughout the year. Check out our website for your model.

DAVID SILVER SPARESUnit 14, Masterlord Industrial Estate,

Station road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4JD, United KingdomWeb: www.davidsilverspares.com

Email: [email protected]: 011441728833020 Fax: 011441728832197

DAILY UPS SHIPPING TO THE USAHONDA ~ HONDA ~ HONDA ~ HONDA

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Documents

InsideVJMC magazine December 2008 Vol. 29, No. 6 President Stuart Covington 978-582-3335 [email protected] Editor Brendan Dooley [email protected] Classified ads Gary Gadd 817-284-8195