1959 Other Makes Autopet 50

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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.