'89 GB500 TT - Factory Cafe Racer - Rare 2 Year Only - Cherished Since New

1989 Honda Other

Price: US $7,900.00
Item location: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Make: Honda
Model: Other
SubModel: Cult Classic Cafe Racer - Isle of Man TT
Type: Cafe Racer
Year: 1989
Mileage: 18,701
VIN: JH2PC1607KK000739
Color: Black
Engine size: 500
Vehicle Title: Clear
Contact seller: Contact form
Description

1989 Honda GB500 TT Cult Classic & Rare Impeccably Maintained and Preserved Model History –I’ve been a fan of this bike for a long time. Given it’s cult following. I’m sure many of you know much more than I. What a bike! Unique. uncompromising design statements like this don’t come around often. It must have been a thrill to work on the design and engineering team of this project. Draw inspiration from legends like the Norton Manx. BSA Gold Star and AJS 7R. make it right. dial in the fit and finish to Honda standards. All right. let’s go. Click for a slideshow of all pics -- http://s1382. photobucket. com/user/rootedowne/slideshow/1989%20Honda%20GB500%20TTOverall condition -- From tip to tail and tarmac to gauges. this bike is pristine. A gratifying example of pride of ownership --Paint. Striping and Logos – This bike was offered in what Honda called “Black Green”. It certainly keeps you engaged and wondering. From some angles. you get a bit of blue reflection from the metallic mix. others reveal a bit of green. Like the rest of the bike. it was a carefully executed design decision with the intention of being a timeless classic. They succeeded. The paint on this bike still has a very deep gloss finish. Take it to any show or event with pride. The striping also draws inspiration from classic 50’s and 60’s bikes. I think the AJS 7R double line stripes that accentuate the shape of the tank must have tumbled around in a few noggins late at night. The Tourist Trophy. Honda logos and striping on the seat cowl are all in excellent shape. Honda managed to pay earnest respect. while at the same time making a bike clearly all their own. Engine – This is another interesting aspect of this unique development project. Many of the bikes for which this is a tribute were single cylinder thumpers. They sound fantastic and Honda had to fight and claw for quite some time to catch them on circuits like the Isle of Man TT itself. So. a thumper it should be. They already had a 600 single in their stable with the reputation of being almost indestructible – the venerable XL600. Sleeve it down to a 500cc displacement and there you go. It’s a dry sump. air-cooled engine driving a five-speed transmission via primary gears and a wet clutch. It’s cradled in a single down tube dual-cradle steel frame. Some have referred to this bike as having all the wonderful design cues of vintage bikes without the vintage grief. Well said. I fired her up the other day in early morning 40 degree temps. Follow the cold starting instructions in the manual (choke out no throttle) and she fires right up. Or use the kick start if you're feeling nostalgic! I do think it could use a bit of Spring carb fine tuning. but really nice strong pulling single as you would expect. Details – Quality build and materials abound on this bike. No wonder it cost more than a Harley Sportser when new. The side covers are steel and the right side has a sleeve for docs. The foot peg brackets. clip-on bars. seat cover and cowl are all expertly designed and built. Chrome bezels for gauges period correct. indicators and gauges. up to date and very functional. It really is a unique blend of uncompromising form and function.

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