1989 Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy

JH2PC1601KK000042

Clear

1989 Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy An Amazing Survivor - #0042 From The Start Of Just Two Years' Production Sold New In Georgia - In and Out of Storage (Mostly In) Its Whole Life Now Freshly Serviced - Brakes and Forks Flushed - Newer Bridgestones Stock Throughout Apart From A Supertrapp Exhaust - Original Boat Anchor Included Please Wait For All Pictures To Load! Honda's GB models did well in their home market as well as those that revered the cult of the British motorcycle - so the company took a chance and offered it for the US market in 1989 and 1990. Unfortunately, the bike was priced here around that of a performance superbike - and not surprisingly, few took the plunge. Greenlanes are not much rarer here than in the UK and Commonwealth countries where these bikes were held in high esteem, but the lack of tax penalties against high-displacement machines here caused many of these bikes to sit in their crates for a few years following their release. Fast forward twenty or so years and the cult of Café Racers was in full swing stateside. Enterprising shops still turn out modified Yamaha XS650s and other Japanese standards to achieve this look - yet despite fans spending tens of thousands with customizers, all in my opinion still fall short. Honda's proven 4-valve OHC thumper GB500, the Velocette that never was, finally found its mark, if two decades or so too late. Today, plenty of support exists for the GB500; despite its low production numbers, they are some of the most lightweight, tossable fun on two wheels and loved by everyone fortunate to have the chance to take one out. This particular GB500 was not sold or titled until August of 1993, when it sold to an older fellow in the far northern Georgia mountain village of Hiawassee, deep in the Smoky Mountains. During his ownership, it was barely ridden and got a bit weathered - some of the anodized aluminum has corrosion, so it's not "in the wrapper". It changed hands in 2007 to another fellow with a lake house not far south from there, who also failed to find a good use for the bike apart from as something he enjoyed looking at. He did, however, replace the 28 pound original exhaust with a lighter Supertrapp and fitted Bridgestone Battlax rubber that is complimentary to the bike. These tires still have the "tits" on them and are soft despite being a few years old. He also sourced and fitted a new old stock Honda fuel tank and petcock as the original was rusty inside and he opted to go this route rather than re-line the original. I have now put nearly 100 miles on this bike and loved every moment - as I have with several GBs in my past. I've got a recipe for a tauter, tighter GB500 that I can offer the eventual buyer of this super-early production model - Jack Batson's exhaust is considerably better-breathing and goes well with a custom jet and needle kit for the Keihin. Koni makes a terrific shock and Progressive a set of terrific front fork springs. There's more - none of these are prohibitively expensive and all are rewarding. The bike as-is is no slouch and runs and rides as Honda intended, though there's room for improvement. I'd be happy to do any and all of these mods for you - and more - following your purchase. As it stands, the bike is fully serviced, leak and fault-free as best as I can determine. All lenses and soft items are in great shape. The rear seat cowl has the usual slight shrinkage-stress crack around one of the side screws, it is stable. The paint is excellent throughout and matches the new old stock gas tank perfectly. The smog stuff is still on here and is easily removed and plugged with a $20 kit if you desire. I recommend this before any performance modifications are done. Mileage as of today. I might kick it over 1,400 if there are requests for check rides by qualified riders (cash in hand and the appropriate motorcycle endorsements strongly recommended). I don't think the tool kit was ever out of the box under the seat. Here they are along with an original service manual, dealership flyer and a period advertisement. As you would expect from a new tank, no rust! One of the earliest examples around and perhaps the earliest with the lowest mileage in captivity. payment/shippingWhile I am a classic automobile dealer by trade and you are likely used to seeing cars I have from my inventory, this is my personal motorcycle, I am the owner and am selling it as a private person. I offer no warranty or guarantee as it is over 27 years old, but it has been thoroughly serviced and is completely ready to go in all aspects as best as I can determine. I am selling it only as having completed the work we have done, I have opted to sell or trade it off; as such, I am always interested in quality trades up or down - I love classic and/or unusual motorcycles in similarly excellent condition. Feel free to offer me something esoteric! Payment is due in full within seven days unless arranged with me prior to placing your successful bid. Please have your funds in order prior to placing a bid; your bid is a contract to purchase, not to look or for the right of first refusal. Accepted payment methods include cash in person (not via the mail, eBay) or a cleared cashier's cheque or wire transfer in my account prior to paperwork or motorcycle changing hands. This bike will be sold on clear Georgia title. Shipping should take place within fourteen days of auction close unless arranged with me prior to placing your successful bid. If you are not coming for it in person, I will be happy to help refer you to one of the quality enclosed motorcycle carriers I have used in the past. While it's no problem (once paid for on time) to have the bike sit here until you or your shipper comes for it, let's not let this drag out too long - after all, you'll be missing out on great spring riding weather! Bid with confidence, see my feedback and other auctions, thanks for viewing and bidding! QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS? E-MAIL ME OR CALL 804-357-4926 (cell)