Honda CBX1000

This bike was launched in 1978 as a statement of Honda's superiority in the motorcycle world. It was as if they had thrown down the gauntlet and shouted "follow that, chaps". With its six cylinder, six carburetter, 1047cc engine it grabbed the headlines and was immediately a fave poster on many a kid's (and indeed adult's) bedroom wall. Riders dreamed of owning such a gem. Me too. As luck would have it, I eventually bought one, second hand, with a low mileage. She was pristine and, naturally, she was stabled indoors. Rode her to France, two-up. An unforgettable journey. She was heavy with spindly tyres and weedy forks (by today's standards), but no other bike can match the sheer joy of accelerating out of a corner with that creamy power and glorious exhaust note.

Yamaha Fazer FZS600

Yamaha's 600 Fazer mk1, mk2 and mk3 (1998-2003) are regarded as five star bikes by Bike magazine and are slowly becoming classics. Strange really, because the original 600 Fazer was a cheapo parts bin special cobbled together to compete with Honda's Hornet and Suzuki's Bandit, but somehow the mongrel worked brilliantly and was an instant success. The engine was nicked from Yamaha's Thundercat, detuned to 95bhp (smaller carbs), bolted to a basic steel frame, and fitted with a front brake from the R1 parts bin. Negatives include the 9mm front sprocket nut which was prone to coming undone with dire consequences (Yamaha advised a 12mm replacement), a cheapo exhaust system (excluding silencer) which quickly rotted away when exposed to the winter elements, a dipped single headlight that was almost useless in the dark and a badly positioned rear brake caliper that was exposed to road spray, salt, mud, horse poo, etc. The mk3 Fazer (2003) had a few minor modifications but wasn't as highly regarded as the original. This was the last of the 'real' Fazers which were eventually killed off by Euro emissions and noise regulations. The mk4 (04-05) was powered by the buzzier, harsher, revvier R6 engine and "isn't as good as the old bike as a day-in, day-out commuter". ( 1999 Fazer FZS600 pictured.)

Cheetah trials

A Cheetah Cub trials bike has recently appeared on Fleebay. Most Cheetahs were powered by Villiers 37A engines so one with a Cub motor is quite a rarity (I believe only five were built). Opening bid set at £4k and, as yet, nobody's nibbled. But I'm sure it'll eventually go for around £5k. It looks in very good nick with a rebuilt engine and Dellorto carb, but it's not road registered. The strong point about a Cheetah is the lightweight frame made of Reynolds 531 tubing. These frames are works of art constructed around 1966-7 by ace welder and trials rider Mick Whitlock and trials bike dealer and engineer Bob Gollner, both of Hampshire. I reckon this is altogether a good looking bike and a wise investment. Or a darned good trials iron to ride in pre-'65 classic trials. I'll keep an eye on the bidding. - P.S. One bid at £4k. Sold.

Walter Kaaden

As previously mentioned I'm a big fan of MZs. People may consider their bikes to be dull and boring but back in the 60s they were a force to be reckoned with on the GP circuits. Much of their success was due to race manager Walter Kaaden's pioneering engine development with exhaust technology. Such was his expertise that the Suzuki racing company arranged for Ernst Degner (East German MZ racer) to jump the Iron Curtain and join the factory in Japan. In doing so, Degner presented the Japs with many of Kaaden's technological secrets together with some hushed-up engine parts. Armed with Kaaden's extensive engineering knowledge the Japs then began their dominance of GP racing, firstly with Suzuki then the others.

What many people don't realise is that the great Mike Hailwood rode for MZ (see photo 1). Photo 2 shows start of 1967 250cc GP at Sachsenring with MZ riders Heinz Rosner (101), Derek Woodman (103) and Hartmut Bischoff (100). Photo 3 shows Kaaden with Hailwood, Alan Shepherd(?), Degner and another racer. Interesting, huh?

 

BSA Bantam D1

Years ago "when I were a lad" BSA Bantams were common as muck. I remember buying one as a Greatstone-on-Sea teenager in 1964 for a fiver, repainting it grey and silver (pea soup green seemed so dull) and selling it for a tenner to a Dungeness power station worker who used it as a daily commuter from New Romney. Bought another couple or three since then for fun, or maybe as a throwback to a time when motorbikes were simple to work on. Being curious, I've just checked a couple of websites to see what prices they're going for, or rather what sellers are asking, and am gobsmacked to see one advertised for £3500. Crikey! Interesting to note that while the Bantam was launched in 1948 as a true British motorcycle its design was blatantly nicked from the German DKW RT125 which, I presume, fell into British hands after the war.

Dec 29 2020 - There's a renovated 1953 D1 (see below) currently on eBay. The bidding's up to £2550 with five days to go. Could go for a big price. (Went for £2750.)

19 Sept 2021 - 1970 GPO Bantam 175cc on eBay, asking price £4295. Crikey.

 

 

Yamaha RD500LC

Must have been around 1984. I'd recently lashed out millions (not exactly, but to a young pauper such as I, it felt like it) on a brand new Yamaha RD350YPVS which was my pride and joy. Kept it indoors, parked in the hallway. On one of its first runs I rode it to work in Covent Garden. Parked it in an alleyway, did a hard day's graft and looked forward to riding it home. But..., it'd been nicked. Felt bad, gutted, physically sick, almost suicidal. Luckily the bike was insured against theft. And luckily they paid up. Lesson learnt. In future park more sensibly in open view and invest in a top-notch lock (this was before bike nicking really took off in London).

As a replacement motorcycle I naturally thought same again. But, as luck would have it, there were press rumours that Yamaha were about to launch a V4 RD500LC which was being marketed as a road-legal version of their fabulous V4 racers as ridden by my hero Kenny Roberts. Soon as I twigged that the rumours were true I whizzed down to Portman Motorcycles in Guildford (where I'd bought the nicked RD350) and begged them to get me one of the RD500s whenever they arrived in the UK. Told them my sob story about having my bike nicked. Must have taken pity on me because they promised I'd be top of their list. True to their word, a few weeks later I rode my brand new RD500 from their Guildford showroom to my Southfields gaff, gently running in that magnificent engine while tingling with excitement at owning one of the world's most desirable bikes.

Interesting to note that examples of this machine are now being advertised for around £16k or more (I spotted a rebuilt Marlboro RD500 advertised for £23k but I guess it won't sell at that price). Interesting also to note that Suzuki followed Yamaha's lead and soon launched their race replica: the RG00. Although the Suzi was faster, I much preferred the Yam. Still do.

Sept 2021 - Two good 'uns for sale, both 1985: 19137 kms (11891 miles) in London dealership for £21989 and one in France for €18500 (about £17200) with 39500 kms (about 23000 miles).

 

MZ ISDT

Just spotted a rebuilt 250 MZ ISDT for sale on eBay. Seems a good 'un and the asking price of just under £5k may be a tad optimistic but, there again, it could be about right. Definitely a collector's item and probably a good investment as it looks in excellent condition. Seller description states that it runs well after its extensive rebuild and is UK road registered. Also it goes like a rocket! I had one of the later versions (orange and white) a few years back and I remember its lively response when given a handful. Great fun.

April '20. Another one (see below) has just turned up on eBay. It's apparently a minter with just 16kms on the speedo. Description states that it runs fine. Wish I could afford it. Price £7995

Nov '20. Another one (see below) has just landed on eBay. Looks a bit rough. £5500 seems a bit high.

Oct '21. This one (see below) went for £10900 after a last-minute bidding war on eBay. How much?!!!