Author Topic: Japauto 1000 VX (Read 17789 times)

octane · « **on:** August 22, 2014, 07:13:55 AM »

I have been very lucky to be able to purchase a complete and original Japauto 1000 VX made by them in 1974 from a new K2.

This is the first I see complete ( With Japauto registration papers and original key holder ) and still fairly original.

Will make some decent pics together with the Egli when the weather will allow it.

Eric

TurboD · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2014, 07:25:29 AM »

Very nice, I like it.

PeWe · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2014, 10:08:22 AM »

WOW!
Look really good! Must be worth some for the Japauto interested people.
That bike would be fine in MY garage!!

Tim2005 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2014, 10:30:05 AM »

Gorgeous bike- amazing condition too. Have you ridden it yet?

Ricky_Racer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2014, 10:48:46 AM »

That's it! I am SICK with envy!

Naw... All right. Congratulations.

RR

octane · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2014, 12:59:56 PM »

Quote from: Tim2005 on August 22, 2014, 10:30:05 AM

Gorgeous bike- amazing condition too. Have you ridden it yet?

I am just back from a ride. Awesome engine with a lot of torque and almost no inertia.

You have to be careful not to over rev it as it happens so fast

In 1974 it must have been like an UFO, one of the first real superbike.

Good brakes and suspension too. First class!

andy750 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2014, 01:16:07 PM »

Excellent find and what a story! Congratulations!!

Tim2005 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2014, 01:20:23 PM »

Great to hear it rides so well. I'm riding down to Bordeaux in a week or two, maybe I'll find myself one on the way!

Bill/BentON Racing · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2014, 02:46:12 PM »

Quote from: Ricky_Racer on August 22, 2014, 10:48:46 AM

That's it! I am SICK with envy! Me too! That's too cool! Damn, I'm jealous! Haha. Nice find!

Naw... All right. Congratulations. RR

Jim F · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2014, 07:09:35 PM »

I hate you guys.....................
just damn

J

Greg H · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2014, 02:09:38 AM »

Congratulations . What an incredible find . Judging by the pics it's difficult to imagine a better example anywhere .

PeWe · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2014, 10:38:54 AM »

Is it stock CB750 4-4 exhaust? Stamped HM341?
1000cc and some other mods do not need a more open system?

octane · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2014, 02:20:48 PM »

Quote from: PeWe on August 23, 2014, 10:38:54 AM

Is it stock CB750 4-4 exhaust? Stamped HM341?
1000cc and some other mods do not need a more open system?

It is a HM 341 stamped exhaust but its as empty as you can get. Great sound and good match for the specs.
It could do better with Kehin CR carbs and a 4 in 1 exhaust but the previous owner and myself are very fond of the "near original" look.
"Wolf in sheep disguise" can be fun

octane · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2014, 02:41:03 PM »

Thanks to all for the kind words. I know it's lucky I could find a bike as complete and original after 40 years.

But I must confess I made a terrible mistake 16 years ago when a friend offered me one of the two Japauto 1000 VX bike that competed in the 1974 Tour De France Moto.

It was complete with race stickers, number plates, tools , original trip master, etc... but needed some attention.

The bike was also very intimidating as it was huge and the riding position was "racing only".

I then ( stupidly) decided to pass and do regret it almost every day since.

So there was no way I could miss this second chance when it came around

Sorry for the press article in french but it is worth a translation.

MRieck · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2014, 04:09:22 PM »

Quote from: octane on August 23, 2014, 02:41:03 PM

Thanks to all for the kind words. I know it's lucky I could find a bike as complete and original after 40 years.

But I must confess I made a terrible mistake 16 years ago when a friend offered me one of the two Japauto 1000 VX bike that competed in the 1974 Tour De France Moto.

It was complete with race stickers, plates tools and original trip master but needed some attention.

The bike was also very intimidating as it was huge and the riding position was "racing only".

I then ( stupidly) decided to pass and do regret it almost every day since.

So there was no way I could miss this second chance when it came around

Sorry for the press article in french but it is worth a translation.

Good for you for not letting the next opportunity pass you by. I missed something similar with a 1973 Hurst 442 in white and gold. The fella died very young, his mother was selling the estate and my grandfather (who I lived with) was a painter that saw the car in the garage with 4 flat tires etc when he was painting the house. He told me at dinner it had this big, round thing with numbers on it (the tach) and it was covered on dust. God.....I had no money as I was 21 at the time.
Looks like you got a good one there

.....made up for the missed opportunity.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2014, 04:45:24 PM »

Gorgeous and rare, well done....

octane · « **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2014, 12:50:20 AM »

Some pics in the early morning mist.

I like the look of the bike with its period yellow Carello headlamp.

And a picture along with my 1972 Egli with 860cc Elite Motor engine

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #17 on:** August 24, 2014, 02:27:41 AM »

A dream. Both.

Bill/BentON Racing · « **Reply #18 on:** August 24, 2014, 04:27:12 AM »

Very well done, bet it stays with you forever! K.

....I could make room though....ok , Keith could! Haha, Bill

Sgt.Pinback · « **Reply #19 on:** August 24, 2014, 08:59:44 AM »

Eric,

seen that one?
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/honda-honda-japauto-seeley-970cm-38-jahre-aus-1hd-d%C3%BCsseldorf/194047150.html?lang=de&pageNumber=1&__lp=1&scopeId=MB&sortOption.sortBy=price.consumerGrossEuro&makeModelVariant1.modelDescription=japauto&makeModelVariant1.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant2.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant3.searchInFreetext=false&vehicleCategory=Motorbike&segment=Motorbike&negativeFeatures=EXPORT&noec=1

PeWe · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2014, 12:29:47 PM »

Yellow lamp, thats typicallay Frensh for me. In many movies and some old cars I met when I drove thru France in the 80's heading Andorra and the way back up north again.

Both bikes look really good. NO need at all for other parts making them look cooler, sportier or what else...

Are these kind of bikes common in France?
They are collecting dust in garages all over the country since their owner lost the interest for drivng them....family take all the time....?

PeWe · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2014, 12:34:42 PM »

This is what I found and can afford
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-JAPAUTO-950SS-950F-1972-Motorcycle-Big-CARD-PHOTO-Classic-70s-950-SS-/370738435060

octane · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2014, 02:19:26 PM »

Quote from: Sgt.Pinback on August 24, 2014, 08:59:44 AM

Eric,

seen that one?

Yes I did, I think the only Japauto items are the half fairing, the tanks and seat It is impossible
to say from the photos if they are genuine period pieces or reproduction.
Price is not cheap to say the least

octane · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2014, 02:31:32 PM »

Quote from: PeWe on August 24, 2014, 12:29:47 PM

Yellow lamp, thats typicallay Frensh for me. In many movies and some old cars I met when I drove thru France in the 80's heading Andorra and the way back up north again.

Both bikes look really good. NO need at all for other parts making them look cooler, sportier or what else...

Are these kind of bikes common in France?
They are collecting dust in garages all over the country since their owner lost the interest for drivng them....family take all the time....?

Unfortunately they are very very rare, especially with good provenance and real Egli or Japauto registration papers.

There might be some barnfind still left to discover but I guess most bikes are today already in the hands of enthusiasts.

I know of an Egli that raced the 1973 Bol D'or but I am chasing it since quite a few years now. Might get it some day tough

Greggo · « **Reply #24 on:** August 24, 2014, 03:10:17 PM »

Wow, very lucky to have both of those special bikes! Very nice!

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Author Topic: Japauto 1000 VX (Read 17789 times)