Topic: A visit to Yamiya in Nagoya

[Stev-o]

Looks like vintage bikes are a big deal there and they keep them in great shape.

Seems the Japanese are very proud of their history and heritage and go to great lengths to keep it

[Deltarider]

Looks like vintage bikes are a big deal there and they keep them in great shape.

Seems the Japanese are very proud of their history and heritage and go to great lengths to keep it

That shop? Yes. But 'the Japanese' in general? I don't know.

[Stev-o]

Looks like vintage bikes are a big deal there and they keep them in great shape.

Seems the Japanese are very proud of their history and heritage and go to great lengths to keep it

That shop? Yes. But 'the Japanese' in general? I don't know.

If I am ever in Motegi, I will visit this awesome museum...

https://global.honda/en/brand/collection-hall.html

Or in Tokyo...

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/g42636075/nissan-heritage-collection-visit-2023/?slide=26

[Johnie]

That is so cool Cliff. Been buying stuff from them for 20+ years. Always happy with their products. Do they speak english well or do you speak Japanese? Tanks for the pics!

[ZTatZAU]

I was able to make the trek to Yamiya this past week....

Good for you Magpie!  What a great opportunity for you!
I just purchased a candy ruby red painted body set from Yamiya, for my K1 750 and they're all beautiful.  Some of the parts (tank, headlight shell, fork covers and side covers) are said to be NOS and some are reproductions; though I don't remember which are which.

Do you happen to know if their repro body set parts are manufactured and painted in house by Yamiya employees? Or are they provided by outside vendors?

ZT 

[Magpie]

I didn't get into a discussion of how or where their products are made unfortunately. Cliff.

[Don R]

 Someone here said the red seat foams were made by a guy in his garage. I imagine there are many sources. I've seen cast aluminum points covers recently.

[Magpie]

Andy, could you give us a history of the shop, you said your dad was running it back in 2007, were you there too? The young fellow we talked to said he inherited it from his father. Looks like a 3'rd generation coming up as he had a 1 year old babe in mom's arms. I'm so glad I had a chance to see it and will go back next time we go to Chigasaki, my son's home, and Nagoya. Cliff.

[newday777]

Andy, could you give us a history of the shop, you said your dad was running it back in 2007, were you there too? The young fellow we talked to said he inherited it from his father. Looks like a 3'rd generation coming up as he had a 1 year old babe in mom's arms. I'm so glad I had a chance to see it and will go back next time we go to Chigasaki, my son's home, and Nagoya. Cliff.

I just reread Andy's post. It wasn't his dad. It was the young owner's dad that Andy spoke of.

[Deltarider]

Now let's find the family enterprise that does the CB500/550s.

[MauiK3]

I guess Yamiya has not done them because they are too busy with what they have.

[jlh3rd]

the middle weight 4's, I've always heard, were really popular overseas especially the 400 F's. Way more so than the US. Plus the riding position for the early 400's, foot peg and bars I think were positioned in favor of the "european" cafe style of riding. If that's true that would drive the market.
But whatever, including their space and busy with what they have, the 500/550's just don't get the attention.
Maybe thats why no one makes a repop 550F muffler. Markets just not there.

[seanbarney41]

I don't think the 500/550's were popular "in the day" in Japan as they were in Europe or even the U.S.  I am guessing insuring and registering one was nearly as expensive and difficult as a 750, so the 750 was the ideal and most could only manage a 350/400

[seanbarney41]

When you order from Yamya, you are asked to respond with a request for parts that they do not have.  I always ask for cb750f specfic parts and they just respond with a very sucinct  "there will be no f parts" or something similar.  From anyone else I would take this as a bit of a snub...but then I don't think the sohc cb750 was ever even for sale new in Japan.

[Stev-o]

the middle weight 4's, I've always heard, were really popular overseas especially the 400 F's.

Didnt the U.K. have some sort of registration tax break is the bike wasnt over a certain cc? 400??
And a teen could get a license for the small bike.

[M 750K6]

Learner friendly licensing was 250cc until 1982, when it dropped to 125cc.

But now, being older than 40 years, a CB400F qualifies as a classic bike, so won't need an MOT certificate (roadworthiness test) and road tax needs to be applied for (so there's a check on insurance), but has a zero rate (free!).

[bryanj]

Japan was a strange market, they were not allowed the Suzuki GS 850 but when Paul Dunstall in uk bought them in a crate, fitted uk tyres, his exhaust system plus tank badges then slapped union flag stickers on instead he could re export them to Japan and they were allowed.

N.B. It is NOT a Union Jack UNLESS it is being flown from the Jack Staff on a Royal Navy Ship, otherwise it is a Union Flag

[xhevi]

I too have ordered parts from them and in one instance I received the wrong part. One email to them and they shipped the correct part for free and told me to keep what they had mistakenly send. Nothing but good experience with Yamia.

I would have thought it was  a much bigger business and in glass clad "cold" building.

Thanks for sharing. I will order again from them to support this family owned business and their dedication.

[Kelly E]

Looks like vintage bikes are a big deal there and they keep them in great shape. The other Honda 4 behind the red 750, I wonder which bike that is, I don't recognize it. Nice bikes

That other bike looks like the new CB 750.

[BenelliSEI]

I too have ordered parts from them and in one instance I received the wrong part. One email to them and they shipped the correct part for free and told me to keep what they had mistakenly send. Nothing but good experience with Yamia.

I would have thought it was  a much bigger business and in glass clad "cold" building.

Thanks for sharing. I will order again from them to support this family owned business and their dedication.

+1. Great to do business with. Lovely parts and fast shipping too!