In addition to my 86 VFR (and Ducati 900SS) I have a 1989 Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy Clubman. I love the bike. Its a 500cc single (mine's 600cc and pretty modified with period White brothers stuff) and looks like a Classic British Single cafe racer. Weighs only 359 pounds, very low, very narrow, and hell of a lot of fun. But, I can't find any forum where other owners of GB500's go to talk about them. Anybody got any suggestions? Gordon
Hi Gmosen; sorry cant help you with a web site for your GB, but I sure think its one neat machine. If I may, how did you come upon it? Did you bring it over from Europe or had someone else imported it? What about parts, do you have to get them from someone like Davis Silver spares in the UK? eddie
that is a very cool bike. I'd love to have something like that. Sorry but I cant help you find a website either, but you are always welcome here and we'll all telly ou how cool your bike is.
Very neat! Have you tried looking for a "thumpers" forum? I did a real brief Google search and this was near the top; Thumper Stuff Don't know if that's much help, but niche machine enthusiasts seem to pool their resources...
Give Mark Apland a looksee: Thumper Stuff There are some links at the bottom of the page on his site. There are several Japanese "Vintage" bike sites also Another source is "Ronny Kramer" Bigass bike site. For a goodies source you might try Denny Berg he used to make up stuff for thumpers. 78 SR500. Brand new out the door on 07/78 $1425.00 USD
Thanks for the comments and help. I will try Thumper Stuff. I had originally bought one of these here in 89 and just bought this one with 3500 miles on it. This one has the full White Brothers period upgrade kit with a big bore to 600 cc's, 10.5:1 Wiseco pistons, Mikuni flat slide carb, hotter cam, Supertrapp exhaust, and Works shocks. It makes an already fun bike even nicer and closer to the faster singles of years gone by... Parts are essentially unavailable, period, though Davis Silver Spares and the Honda guy in Cincinnati have some parts. I chipped the seat cowl and am having it repaired by a fiberglass guy I have used before. Here's my VFR... Gordon
Different Honda parts places can sometimes find or have backstock parts for your GB. Local dealer's parts counterhelp will sometimes make up shit about not having stuff out of sheer laziness or ignorance. I never buy local for this reason. Learning the hard way on two R/R's that bent me over real good. Gotta say that many local dealers are nothing more than car dealers who sell bikes. SOS deja vu. Yep, I know someone's uncle is a dealer and that you know he's the pinnacle of virtue and only did a year in county lockup..LOL A little story: My speedo cable on my 91 VFR crapped out. I called an authorized parts place in a tidewater state. The guy answers, "parts." I tell him I need a speedo cable for a 91 VFR. He says which one? Then I remmember there are 400's and 250's too. bottom line is with shipping (nearly 3,000 miles) the cable was less than the first one that crapped out on my bike about 10 years ago. I anyone is looking for a retro caferacer. a fair source for SR500's is Europe, UK and Japan. Both the SR's and the GB's did not sell all that well in the US. Another great "cafe" is the new Triumph Thruxton.
