Honda GB500TT In Online Trading

[Black Knight]

Reluctantly having to sell my immaculate low mileage GB500-See details in Online Trading

[Mike.Gayner]

I think you've made a mistake with the price - easy mistake to make, with the '3' and '6' being right next to each other on the keypad.

[BuzzardNZ]

I think you've made a mistake with the price - easy mistake to make, with the '3' and '6' being right next to each other on the keypad.

I don't. These old things are pretty sought after and his one looks to be in very fine condition.

I've owned 3 GB-400s and to be honest, I was somewhat tempted with this one.

[Black Knight]

I think you've made a mistake with the price - easy mistake to make, with the '3' and '6' being right next to each other on the keypad.

Nice try Mike,anyone who is familiar with these rare classic machines knows their true value-when available they have sold anywhere between $5k and $7k
often touted as the next Gold Star and we know what they go for.This particular bike is exceptional in every way,just add up the cost of the extras and I think you will find it fairly priced.

[Mike.Gayner]

often touted as the next Gold Star

By who exactly?

[Black Knight]

By who exactly?

Rhys Jones in Kiwi Rider mag
Peter Egan in Cycle World Classics mag
Mike Duckworth in Classic Bike
I have all the articles here plus heaps of comparison stuff on the Interweb.
Without sounding rude-do you even know what these bikes look like,have you ever had the pleasure of riding one,ever owned one,have knowledge of the history behind Hondas decision to produce the GB500tt-I owned a Gold Star in my youth along with other British singles,I assure you they are not a patch on the GB in any way,and neither they should be being produced 30 years apart.

[GrayWolf]

Nice try Mike,anyone who is familiar with these rare classic machines knows their true value-when available they have sold anywhere between $5k and $7k
often touted as the next Gold Star and we know what they go for.This particular bike is exceptional in every way,just add up the cost of the extras and I think you will find it fairly priced.

'Extra's' add little to no value on a bike/vehicle/house etc, for some they make it more appealing, for others not.... regardless of the additions, {and that is a nice GB} you have to have handlebars, exhaust, lights {surprised the LED headlight is legal and bright enough tbh}. General condition and mileage are the more critical factors. How do I know this? I spent 1000's on adding to a bike, that were all focussed on improving it mechanically both engine and suspension. Doesnt make it 'worth' any more than a standard one.

[jasonu]

Rhys Jones in Kiwi Rider mag
Peter Egan in Cycle World Classics mag
Mike Duckworth in Classic Bike
I have all the articles here plus heaps of comparison stuff on the Interweb.
Without sounding rude-do you even know what these bikes look like,have you ever had the pleasure of riding one,ever owned one,have knowledge of the history behind Hondas decision to produce the GB500tt-I owned a Gold Star in my youth along with other British singles,I assure you they are not a patch on the GB in any way,and neither they should be being produced 30 years apart.

Ignore him. He is a 'I know it all and you know fuck all' wanker.

Even over here nice GB500s are becoming a bit of a collectors item and the prices are slowly creeping up.

[Black Knight]

I agree with your comments on the "extras" Grey Wolf--I guess a new owner could remove them all and put them on Trade Me-Could then put all the original items that I still have back on the bike and sell it as a low mileage,extremely tidy,completely original GB 500 for around $6500.The bike passed its last warrant with the LED light,it is actually superbright on high, lighting up the whole road for some distance.

[Tazz]

{surprised the LED headlight is legal and bright enough tbh}

That LED will be brighter than a thousand supernova suns by comparison to whatever wax candle contraption came with it from factory ;)

[FJRider]

I agree with your comments on the "extras" Grey Wolf--I guess a new owner could remove them all and put them on Trade Me

It has to sell first .. :blank:


Could then put all the original items that I still have back on the bike and sell it as a low mileage,extremely tidy,completely original GB 500 for around $6500.

You list the price at $6500 ... and if the "Extras" were sold on Trademe ... the final balance should be less than $6500.

But you probably are right about the final price ... only an idiot would put all those extras on (read-pay all that money) and not want to keep it.

And a low milage GB500 would be in the 5000km-15,000km range.

And with all those "Extra" bits on ... you still claim "Completely Original" ... :killingme


The bike passed its last warrant with the LED light,it is actually superbright on high, lighting up the whole road for some distance.

$6500 for an '86 GB ... I'd bloody expect it to pass it's NEXT WOF ... :laugh:

Superbright in comparison to what ... an original GB500 .. ??? :lol:

[HenryDorsetCase]

I like it, and I bought a GB400TT Mk 2 brand new in 1987.

But.

those godawful yellow/gold ano bits have to go. or at least polish them back to alloy.

My colour sense is offended.

[Black Knight]

I like it, and I bought a GB400TT Mk 2 brand new in 1987.

But.

those godawful yellow/gold ano bits have to go. or at least polish them back to alloy.

My colour sense is offended.

Consider it done Henry,meant to do this before pics were posted.

[AllanB]

Gold Star my arse. Excuse the language by the BSA got it's reputation from being one of the fastest of it's cc in the 50's. The GB was a late 80's (off top of my head) Japan only retro cafe ride originally that is cool for it's styling but offered nothing special other than the styling and big single feel if desired.

I remember them being shipped to NZ in the 400 guise as specials originally. Dirt bike motor.

SR500 anyone? How much is a new SR400?

Still fun in it's day and good luck with the sale.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Gold Star my arse. Excuse the language by the BSA got it's reputation from being one of the fastest of it's cc in the 50's. The GB was a late 80's (off top of my head) Japan only retro cafe ride originally that is cool for it's styling but offered nothing special other than the styling and big single feel if desired.

I remember them being shipped to NZ in the 400 guise as specials originally. Dirt bike motor.

SR500 anyone? How much is a new SR400?

Still fun in it's day and good luck with the sale.

Not quite sure whre' you're going with that. But, a new SR400 (kick only, EFI) is ~$9500 + ORC. Second hand SR500's go for stupid money.

theres a fucked about with one on tardme:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-980778574.htm I want to buy it just to rescue the poor wee thing

The motors in GB's are not exactly the same as XR/XL500's but many parts do interchange (from memory cams and gearbox ratios are different). And you can punch them out to 630+ cc if you want to.

Though you might need rollers to start it after that depending on compression ratio.

If you want an SR, this is the one to buy: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-981865242.htm


this turkey has been trying to get 7 grand for this for a year now: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-890492740.htm

[AllanB]

Thing is ...... they were not that fucking fantastic back in the day. They are reliable old workhorses styled to a area that appeals to a certain age where they look 'right'. And yes I fit that age. Actually I never thought the SR pulled it off - the GB certainly did.

I'd just never pay 6.5 for one.


Give me a budget like that and ask for a retro look I'd buy a SV650 or 1000 and modify the fucker to look like the glory days. Still they are commanding money and as before may it sell and fill your pockets.


Actually now is the glory days - motorcycles across the spectrum of all nations have never been so reliable, powerful or handle/stop as well as they currently do for the money.

[awa355]

I owned one, A great bike for the corners, but, nothing special for all that, apart from the styling. Following behind a friends genuine british single, it sounded just like a Honda trail bike.

317328

[GrayWolf]

Thing is ...... they were not that fucking fantastic back in the day. They are reliable old workhorses styled to a area that appeals to a certain age where they look 'right'. And yes I fit that age. Actually I never thought the SR pulled it off - the GB certainly did.

I'd just never pay 6.5 for one.


Give me a budget like that and ask for a retro look I'd buy a SV650 or 1000 and modify the fucker to look like the glory days. Still they are commanding money and as before may it sell and fill your pockets.


Actually now is the glory days - motorcycles across the spectrum of all nations have never been so reliable, powerful or handle/stop as well as they currently do for the money.

The GB500 certainly got the 'look right', but a 'modern Goldie'?? perleeeeeeeease, not even as quick as the Goldie, but yeh ok probably more reliable :bleh: The 'sleeper' jap big single was the Yamaha SZR660, XTZ660 in a TZR250 frame.... just the italian styling got it wrong, badly wrong. :confused::nono:

[FJRider]

The GB500 certainly got the 'look right', but a 'modern Goldie'?? perleeeeeeeease, not even as quick as the Goldie, but yeh ok probably more reliable :bleh: The 'sleeper' jap big single was the Yamaha SZR660, XTZ660 in a TZR250 frame.... just the italian styling got it wrong, badly wrong. :confused::nono:

I do remember a few years back ... it was not uncommon for a big brit single being "attached" to an RG250 (or similar) chassis. Often complete with a fairing .... really a "Sleeper" in their own right ...

I've seen a few .. the real motorcycle noise ... and could handle too.


Still leaked oil though ... :laugh:

[ICE180]

if ya put a NX 650 in the GB like I did it actually runs really well
so yes it is a dirt bike engine with a cafe racer frame as they bolt straight in ;)

[Black Knight]

if ya put a NX 650 in the GB like I did it actually runs really well
so yes it is a dirt bike engine with a cafe racer frame as they bolt straight in ;)

I had a Dom 650 motor to drop in,but why do this on a low mileage bike,so I sold it.They don't exactly "drop in" and there are electrical mods required,also gearing needs attention unless you want to pull continual wheelies as well as doing 100kph in second.FYI the motor in the GB500 is a XR so already a dirt bike motor

[tri boy]

often touted as the next Gold Star and we know what they go for..

Your having a laugh arn't ya?
Can't remember a GB ever winning a regional club series, let alone a world class series.

[Black Knight]

I didn't really want to do this,but there are so many doubters out there as to comparative specs between the two bikes,so here goes
1961 Gold Star 1985 GB500
Engine ohv single,two valves dohc single,four valves
Capacity 499cc 499cc
Bore x stroke 85 x 88mm 92 x 75mm
Comp Ratio 8.75:1 9.2:1
Output 42bhp @ 7000rpm 43bhp @ 7000rpm
Electrics 6V Magdyno 12v alternator,CDI
Suspension
front tele forks tele forks
rear swing arm swing arm
Brakes
front sls drum single disc
rear sls drum sls drum
Wheels
front 19 inch 18 inch
rear 19 inch 18 inch
Wheelbase 56 inches 55 inches
Seat height 30 inches 31 inches
Ground clearance 5 inches 7 inches
Weight 380 lbs 331 lbs
Fuel consumption 50mpg 50 mpg.
Fuel tank 4 gal 4.2 gal

So gentlemen (and others) there is quite a comparison between these two bikes-Of course on the GB you do not need to slip the clutch up to 30kph to save stalling,as we all know (don't we fellas)that the GS was/is an absolute pig to start when hot,with the GB just press the button.Nor do you have to sit at the lights revving the shit out of the GB to save it stalling.
The Honda cannot compete with the wealth of history and the glorious reputation of the GS,but in terms of entirely rational and practical considerations the GB will win hands down.Regarding racing I recall reading some time back that Croz raced a GB400 in the UK for a while with some success.
The big similarity is that "weave" you get on both bikes at 140KPH,when I rode GS's I thought it was an inherent "fault" but the GB's also do it,must be a thumper thing.

[tri boy]

..............:facepalm:...............
Got ya money for it yet.
By the way, yes I have ridden a Gold Star, and was working for a Honda dealership in the 80's when the the GB lobed into NZ.
There is no comparison.

But good luck with your sale.:yes:

[Black Knight]

Not sold yet,in fact I haven't tried further other than the post I originally put on KB site.I did this to try and judge the feeling from some genuine bike owners prior to posting on Tard Me--Then Sods Law came in and there were four GB500's put on TM in a week (very unusual) all around the high $5000's but not really a patch on mine (my opinion).I will probably now continue to enjoy her over summer unless something pops up.Or put her in storage for 20 years then ask $25,000
Riding a GS and owning a GS are two very different things TB and there are definite comparisons,capacity,HP and wheelbase for meaningful starters.The main difference is price,is the GS really worth$20,000 more?