Circa 1959 Yamaguchi Vintage Japanese Motorcycle

Featured in an article entitled "Japan's Other YAMA Bike" in the Fenruary 2012 edition of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle magazine this is a circa 1960 Yamaguchi Auto-Pet 50cc motorcycle # AP-103844. Apparently after having been bought new by a US Serviceman stationed in Taiwan the little Yamaguchi was shipped home but never registered in the US. Consequently it is being offered with a bill of sale only. The "two-up" seat is supported by springs rather than foam as Yamaguchi was primarily a bicycle maker. Most surviving examples of this bike have a single Asian-style seat rather than a European/UK-type seat reportedly special ordered by the original buyer. The luggage rack is an aftermarket accessory made/installed in Taiwan. It is being sold in "as-is" condition but the bike's eager little Fuji-built engine ran at the time of its 2013 storage in a heated basement. All components appear to be original. It's a neat little example of a very uncommon small Japanese motorcycle built at the dawn of Japan's big push into the North American market. Because there are arguably only a handful of these bikes extant (especially in North America) this one could be best enjoyed with a clean-up mechanical tune-up/revitalization and a run up and down some quiet street every so often.

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