Honda GB500

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By 1989 the British twin cylinder motorcycles were replaced by British triples and primarily by the Japanese bikes. Each year the Tourist Trophy race was held on the Isle of Man and Honda was determined to bring back the flavor of those British twins with a bike that had look of the Norton and Triumph racing bikes.

The GB500 had no fairing or 16-inch wheels seen on Japanese sportbikes. Instead the wheels were wire-spoked. The forks had gaiters. The handlebars were clip-on. The fuel tank was blocky. A tail fairing was placed behind the one person saddle. The engine was a 500 cc vertical single with a two-into-one header. However the single front disc brake belied the retro look.

The GB500 was too early for the retro look of the 21st century.

1989

1989 Honda GB500
1989 Honda GB500
1989 Honda GB500
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other


The Honda Tourist Trophy, designated GB500'89 (GB500L'89 in California), was sold in 1989. One color was available: Black Green Mettalic with gold pinstriping and emblems. It had both electric start and a kick starter. The engine was a 499cc 4-stroke OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2PC161*KK000003 while the rest of the United States models began JH2PC160*KK000001 (where the * indicates a checksum number).

1990

1990 Honda GB500
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Black Green Mettalic
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Black Green Mettalic
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Black Green Mettalic
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green
1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green


The Honda Tourist Trophy, designated GB500'90 (GB500L'90 in California), was sold in 1990. There was no visual change from the 1989 model. One color was available: Black Green Mettalic with gold pinstriping and emblems. It had both electric start and a kick starter. The engine was a 499cc 4-stroke OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2PC161*LK100003 while the rest of the United States models began JH2PC160*LK100001 (where the * indicates a checksum number).

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