RE5 commuter bike

**rogson** · 8th October 2006, 20:46

Anyone here own (know of?) the RE5 that was parked on Orakei Road for most of the day today - like someone's everyday transport!

**thehollowmen** · 8th October 2006, 21:21

That's a sexy bike, wouldn't mind one.

Hope the owner reads this.

**Jantar** · 8th October 2006, 21:35

As far as I know there are only four RE5s in the entire North Island in going condition, and none of them would be used as a commuter. The RE5 is entirely unsuitable for general commuting. It has very poor fuel consumption, and is happiest when being ridden hard. It is certainly not an around town bike. Of the eight RE5 owners in New Zealand three are KBers.

**Dadpole** · 8th October 2006, 21:49

Originally Posted by Jantar

As far as I know there are only four RE5s in the entire North Island in going condition.

And if I had not been such a tightfisted bastard in 1987, one of them would have been mine.

$500

**Jantar** · 8th October 2006, 21:55

Originally Posted by Dadpole

And if I had not been such a tightfisted bastard in 1987, one of them would have been mine.

$500

Fuckkkkk, I bought my 3rd in 1986 for $3500. In 1987 I offered $6000 to the owner of my first one and turned me down.

**TLDV8** · 8th October 2006, 22:15

Originally Posted by Jantar

As far as I know there are only four RE5s in the entire North Island in going condition.

I wonder if any of them are the one i saw brand new at Manurewa Motorcycles.Can't remember the year (old age!!) 73/74/75 Blue colour,it had the log shaped gauge cover and taillight.An early one i guess.
*
If anyone is interested i have a Classic Bike somewhere that i could scan.

RE5 / Hercules ? / Wankel ? compare.

**Jantar** · 8th October 2006, 22:24

Commercial production started in September 1974 and the world wide release was February 1975. The first one sold in New Zealand was in March 1975.... The 3rd private owner still has it, but one day I'll buy it back.

**Dadpole** · 8th October 2006, 23:41

Originally Posted by Jantar

Fuckkkkk, I bought my 3rd in 1986 for $3500. In 1987 I offered $6000 to the owner of my first one and turned me down.

The one I was offered was a runner but a bit tatty. Just needed TLC and a new paint job really. I never realised that they were that sought after back then.
This one was the later model with the GT750 type dash. No idea what happened to it after I said no.

**rogson** · 9th October 2006, 06:12

The one in Orakei Road looked to have the original paint (red/orange?) and had the cylindrical gauge cover.

**TLDV8** · 9th October 2006, 07:07

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-...mZ200033395431

**Motu** · 9th October 2006, 07:50

I have seen one being used in Auckland - I guess they need to give it a run sometimes.

**Jantar** · 9th October 2006, 12:34

The one on Ebay looks to be in a similar condition to my parts bike. A rough estimate of cost to bring it up tp standard is around US$3000 hence the reason why it is only a parts bike.

There are a number of parts bikes and runners is less than perfect condition in USA at the moment for prices ranging from US$1250 to US$2750.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 9th October 2006, 14:14

wasnt there one sold on tardme last year for around the $6000 mark? I may have been on crack at the time.

and are all us classic Jap bike buffs following this CBX on a tardme auction?

I reckon it will hit $15k, and its money well spent at that.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=72242589

**Krayy** · 10th October 2006, 07:57

Kerry at Motohaus had a runner sitting in the corner of his workshop for ages. Not sure if it's still there, but he also had another one for parts AFAIK.