The "Great" Vintage Motorcycle Find

Stories abound of vintage (collectible) motorcycles that are discovered (and purchased for a pittance) in junk yards, old barns, behind secret panels/walls, etc. They are the lore that we of the vintage (Japanese) holy grail dream of (finding) ... or at least revel in telling stories that accompany such unimaginable discoveries. This is the tale of such a find, and the twist of fate that often embellishes and accompanies a "Great" Find.

In the late-1980's, two vintage enthusiasts from San Diego embarked on a trip to California's central valley for various reasons including a local junk yard where a vintage motorcycle(s) was "rumored" to exist. The adventurers located the junk yard and noted some motorcycles which were covered by corrugated sheet metal or similar material. Upon removing the debris from atop the bikes, the rather shabby-appearing machines were determined to be Japanese in make. The motorcycles appeared to be Dream-like (Honda) in appearance, but equipped with gas tanks and other parts that were alloy (i.e., not the typical Dream-like). The two enthusiasts knew they had stumbled upon something unique, but were uncertain as to the exact lineage (race, production, domestic, ???) or value. They proceeded to purchase the partially disassembled machines, which were missing some parts (remember this point). They offered a minimal amount for the (Honda?) machines as they were still uncertain as to what model or variant had been found. The owner accepted the offer, and the adventurers packed up their rig and proceeded back to SoCAL with their newly acquired collection of "salvaged" Japanese motorcycles.

During the course of the return journey, the two enthusiasts either accidentally contacted or had a prearranged rendevous with a Los Angeles-area vintage Japanese enthusiast / collector. The Angelino, who was an acquaintance of the pair, examined the Honda (?) remnants (now piled in the back of their truck / trailer), and offered to purchase the entire assemblage of bikes / pieces. After some negotiating, he agreed (eagerly, I am told) to pay three or four times what the two enthusiasts had paid the recycler. (It is interesting to note that TWO transactions occurred regarding these machines within days if not hours... whereas the machines had apparently resided under cover, unknown and unmolested in the junk yard for a VERY long time beforehand).

The two vintage enthusiasts were delighted with their excellent "return on investment" for the old Honda's (?), and even more thrilled that they did not have to transport the partial / unassembled carcasses back home. On the other hand, the Angelino was in Honda Heaven!! He had just purchased three EXTREMELY RARE (early) Honda race machines, the legendary Honda CR71, which is a racing variant of the dry sump 250cc Dream. The story goes that the Angelino had doubled the number of CR71's known to exist... and with only a relatively meager investment. To add some perspective, one (1) complete, running CR71 has an estimated value of over-$30,000 in today's vintage, race-crazy-collectible market.

The story does not yet end there. The Angelino, who knew the whereabouts of the junk yard from whence the CR71's had come, paid a return visit to see if any of the missing CR71 parts could be located. According to lore, the Angelino struck "gold" again, found more CR 71 parts, and (probably) paid the same incredibly low, bargain-basement price for the remaining items.

I realize that some who read this will think that I have characterized the Angelino as the "heavy" in this tale. That is NOT my intent! True, the two local enthusiasts who found the CR71's knew not what they had purchased. They did, however, turn an immediate and tidy profit with very little initial investment. The Angelino, who subsequently purchased the bikes, knew that these were bikes of legend, but still paid a tidy sum for weathered, hard-ridden, incomplete, and far from operable machines. I am certain that the Angelino subsequently invested thousands of hours (and dollars) in restoring the bikes, locating and fabricating parts, obtaining detailed specifications, etc. (I have even heard that he visited the Honda Museum in Japan... just to obtain pictures and detailed information... before he could undertake the restoration process!). Remember, these are early Honda "works" racers that were made (hand-crafted, not produced) in very limited numbers (less than 15-25 total?). You cannot go to your local Honda dealer and simply place an order for CR71 parts. Trying to locate CB77 (Super Hawk) parts is difficult enough (Lord, how I know!), and some 250,000 of that Honda variant were actually produced along with the accompanying (superb) Honda parts inventory / system.

I am glad to share this story of a Great vintage motorcycle find... one of legend in the local vintage motorcycle enthusiast community. I can only dream that one day I should be so fortunate as to visit a "remote" junk yard, garage or barn, and find such incredible treasure.


NOTE: The locations, amounts and timeframe of this tale are not exact. However, there is NO doubt as to the validity of the story itself.  And remember ... like Fox Mulder says: "They're (still) out there" -- rare vintage machines (& aliens?)!

Ron A. Smith is a San Diego vintage motorcycle (Honda) enthusiast who collects sport singles, small twins and unique / domestic Honda parts.