Classic 2 stroke motorcycles. Two stroke bikes for sale.

Honda MVX250F. The Forgotten 2-Stroke Triple

Post author By mike2s
Post date 22/01/2020

Is the 1983 MVX250F Honda’s Forgotten 2-Stroke?

Have you ever even seen a Honda MVX250F? – If you have the chances are you live in Japan or Australia/New Zealand, the only markets that Honda chose to market their one year only 2-stroke V3 sportster. Known primarily for their loyalty to the 4-stroke engine, the MVX250 was Honda’s first two stroke road bike (they had of course offered 2-stroke scooters and off road/trail bikes before) and it entered a market which was dominated by Yamaha’s already hugely successful LC/RZ model.

A 2-stroke V3?

Honda won the 1983 500cc World Championship with Freddie Spencer onboard the NS500 3-cylinder race bike, but sadly the MVX250 wasn’t destined for sales success. Featuring two horizontal forward facing cylinders with avertical middle cylinder (check out the pic!), the design was innovative but a layout which in practice caused significant vibration issues and offered only 40 bhp – a respectable but not earth shattering figure even back in 1983. Other noteworthy features included enclosed front and rear disc brakes and Honda’s proven ‘Pro Link’ rear suspension. Reportedly the bike handled well enough and certainly looked good but was overshadowed by reliability issues which ultimately brought about its early demise.

Thinking of buying a Honda MVX250F?

Then your first problem is likely to be finding one! – Never officially offered outside of Japan and Australasia, few seem to be appear for sale, and those that do come up in Europe/USA will likely have been privately imported. In light of the MVX’s well known issues check it out carefully as spares don’t seem to be particularly easy to find. Get yourself a good one though and you’ll have a classic Honda that not many enthusiasts will have seen before.

MSX250F Videos:

Honda MSX250F Basic Specifications:

Years Produced:	1983-1984
Engine capacity:	249cc
Bore and Stroke:	47 mm x 48 mm
Engine type:	Two stroke, 90°V 3-cylinder, reed valve induction
Engine cooling:	Water cooling
Claimed power output:	40 hp (29.8 kW) @ 9000 rpm
Gearbox:	6-speed
Final drive:	Chain
Frame type:	Tubular steel
Front suspension:	Telescopic forks
Rear suspension:	‘Pro-Link’ monoshock
Brakes:	Front & rear Inboard single disc
Wheelbase:	1,370 mm
Dry weight:	138 Kg

Classic Ads Uncategorized

When You Could Still Ride Your 250 on ‘L’ Plates!

Post author By mike2s
Post date 12/09/2019

In the heady days of the early 70’s getting on the road on a motorcycle was easy. Even at the age of 16 there was a plethora of sporty 50cc mopeds to satisfy your need for speed. You could choose the legendary ‘Fizzy’, Yamaha’s FS-1E, the Suzuki AP50 plus a substantial handful of ever more exotic offerings from Italian manufacturers such as Gilera and Garelli. Despite the 1977 law which restricted mopeds to just 30mph, many of these 50cc dream machines were potentially capable of 60mph+ (illegally of course!), were fun to ride and relatively cheap to own and run. Many riders never ventured further than a 50, preferring instead to gravitate to car ownership once their 17th birthday came around.

For many of us who had caught the 2-wheel bug, hitting 17 meant that the moped could be traded in for a 250. No longer restricted to just 30mph (as if!), even early 70’s Japanese 2-stroke 250cc bikes offered near 100 mph performance – worlds apart from even the quickest of 50cc machines. What’s more you could ride one with an ‘L’ plate on the back WITHOUT taking your motorcycle test. The market for both new and used quarter litre bikes was large, with the Japanese manufacturers being at the forefront. Yamaha had the RD250 (and later the LC250), Suzuki the GT250 (and later the X7), whilst Kawasaki offered the baby triple cylinder KH250 (and later the iconic KR-1S). Sadly the extra power brought with it more accidents and increased insurance rates so for 1983 the government brought in a new law restricting learner riders to machines with a maximum capacity of 125cc and maximum power output of only 12 bhp. The 125 law followed the introduction of a new 2-part motorcycle test in March 1982. No longer was passing your test such as breeze as it had been previously.

Our ad is from late 1982 and is one of many that the Department of Transport ran in contemporary motorcycle magazines to publicise the change in the learner motorcycle law. Though many people were initially against it, particularly the motorcycle trade (the 250cc market was decimated almost overnight), there is no doubt that it new motorcycle riders were potentially far better prepared for the road than many of had been previously and that could only have been a good thing.

Classic Ads Uncategorized Yamaha

1973 Yamaha RD350 Ad

Post author By mike2s
Post date 01/09/2019

Back in the early part of the 1970’s the motorcycle market in the USA was becoming more and more competitive and the desire of the big four Japanese manufacturers to stay in the forefront of the purchasers mind meant increasingly bigger advertising spends and ever more ‘creative’ ads. This is one which would most certainly not pass any modern day equality rules!

This Yamaha ad from mid-1973 tells the story of Harry Hotdog’s marriage following his purchase of a new Yamaha RD350. In true ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’, style Harry’s neglected spouse, Harriet (of course!) tells him that she’s been to the Yamaha Learn to Ride Safely Program for Women (apparently there really was one!) and later disappears to join the International Powder Puff Racing Circuit! – As if to underline this wholly unlikely story line we learn that Harry then chose to marry his RD350 instead of searching for his long suffering wife!

The final part of the ad features a selection of ‘Yamaha Models For Women’ – The LT3 100 is described as ‘a full size machine light enough for any woman to handle easily’ whilst the Yamaha RD60 description states ‘If she can’t keep up with your bike, she can use the RD60 for running around while you’re running around’ – the ad is capped off with the reassuring line that ‘Someday, she’ll own a Yamaha’

Classic Ads Yamaha

Yamaha YG1-F

Post author By mike2s
Post date 25/08/2019

First introduced in 1963, Yamaha’s YG1 proved a popular small roadster that performed well with it’s 80cc single cylinder rotary valve engine, four speed gearbox and a monocoque frame design with telescopic forks. Nippy, practical and good fun to ride, by the time the seventies came around the design was looking dated and this ad from 1974 shows the final model designated the Yamaha YG1-F.

Classic Ads

Frank Thomas Motorcycle Boots from 1984

Post author By mike2s
Post date 14/08/2019

Frank Thomas Motorcycle Boots Advertisement From 1984

If you were riding the latest 2-stroke sports bike back in the day you needed a pair of boots that were as stylish as the bike itself. This selection from British manufacturer Frank Thomas certainly fitted the bill in 1984. Combined with the ‘de rigeur’ Red Label Levi denim jacket and (if you could afford it) a Simpson Bandit crash helmet, these were a popular choice for the well dressed LC/GT/KH rider!

European

Fantic Chopper

Post author By mike2s
Post date 03/03/2018

With early 1970’s ‘Easy Rider’ styling but with only 125cc’s of Minarelli 2-stroke power to pull it along (there was a 50cc version available too!), the now almost legendary Fantic Chopper featured steeply raked forks, a peanut tank and plenty of chrome in a valiant effort to emulate its bigger brothers. Quirky and reputedly great fun to ride (I’ve never tried – though apparently the 125cc version could reach 80 mph), the Fantic Chopper is a symbol of its time. Now very collectible, both versions are eagerly sought out by collectors and restorers alike.

This lovely example is a 125cc Chopper which the seller says has been the subject of extensive restoration work including vapour cleaning and a full engine rebuild, polished Borrani rims and rebuilt wheels with new spokes, a newly powder coated frame, pearl white metallic paint with the correct tank decals and much more.

For sale on eBay here: Fantic Chopper For Sale

2-Stroke Racing Bikes European

Casal 50cc Race Bike

Post author By mike2s
Post date 21/09/2017

Just noticed this very pretty little Casal 50cc based race bike for sale on eBay. I’m not sure exactly how competitive it would be against more refined 50cc 2-stroke racers, but as the seller says it would be great for parading or showing.

Check out the eBay ad for this bike: http://ebay.to/2fx7NUC

According to the ad it needs recommissioning, but comes with a spare engine included. I seem to remember that the Portuguese Casal 2-strokes were based on a Zundapp design, so I reckon it would be a straightforward job – you’d certainly end up with a very interesting little bike for your troubles.

Though this is clearly a road-derived machine, the ‘factory’ racing Casals were quite successful. Following a tie up with Dutch company HuVo, the Casal HuVo’s saw success in both 50 and 80cc Grand Prix classes.

2-Stroke Racing Bikes British

BSA Bantam 125cc Racing Bike

Post author By mike2s
Post date 19/08/2017

Spotted recently for sale, this BSA Bantam race bike is a great example of a machine that many club road racers cut their teeth on back in the 1960’s and 70’s. Based on the venerable telegram delivery boy’s favourite bike, Bantam racing offered a low cost way to get started in motorcycle sport using machines which were easily available and which were a great basis for tuning and modification.

Check out the eBay ad for this bike at: http://ebay.to/2wUyeLd

Still popular today, Bantam racing is a class which favours the home builder and tuner with rules which are strictly adhered to but allow plenty of scope for experimentation. Crankcases must remain Bantam, as must cylinder barrels (though they may be modified internally), no water cooling is allowed, though heads are free (indeed this particular bike has a Todd head fitted). The frame must retain the main Bantam ‘loop’ though it can be modified. Wheels must be spoked and suspension and braking can be changed.

Still a great way to get involved in the sport (particularly if you are handy with the spanners!). You can find out more about Bantam racing at : http://www.bsabantamracing.com/

Enduro Yamaha

Yamaha IT465 Enduro Bike

Post author By mike2s
Post date 09/08/2017

Based on the ferocious YZ465 motocross bike, but with a slightly softer power delivery, the Yamaha IT465 enduro was still a very quick bike, but most definitely needed a firm hand to keep under control. In the hands of an experienced rider, they were a very competitive machine against similar size offerings from other Japanese and European manufacturers.

Ideal for vinduro events, or just to add to your 2-stroke enduro bike collection, the seller says this one has just 895 miles.

Check out the ad on eBay here : http://ebay.to/2uv1Uj6

2-Stroke Racing Bikes Kawasaki

KAWASAKI ” SEELEY” H2 RACER PROJECT

Post author By mike2s
Post date 16/07/2017

Seeley Style KAWASAKI H2 750 cc RACER PROJECT

This is interesting. Seller describes it as a ‘Seeley style’ frame and it’s fitted with a Kawasaki H2 750cc engine. Maxton modified forks are apparently ex-Ducati and the front brakes are Lockheed calipers with Brembo discs. The pipes are Higgspeed stainless steel items. Clearly it needs some work but it looks like a great project for somebody.

Check out the ad on eBay: http://ebay.to/2tXD8Yl