Japan Motorcycle History

[RockHop_imp]

While searching for information on Japanese Shinkansen trains (bullet trains), I found a YouTube series on all things Japanese called Japanology. I think you will find this video of the history of Japanese motorcycles quite interesting.

Begin Japanology - Motorcycles

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thanks RockHop!

 

[peterbaron]

Thanks RockHop for sharing. Nice find =

 

[bflint]

Actual Link:

Fun view ... thanks

 

[Cormanus]

The video is worth it for the story of Yoshimura alone.

 

[ArbitraryThawt_imp]

Awesome RockHop and Thank You!!

 

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

Great vid, I enjoyed it, but it made it seem like Japan invented the four cylinder moto engine, when in fact it was the Belgians who did it first.

 

[the Ferret]

Belgian FN was an inline 4 (front to back making for a very long motor) Japanese CB 750 was a transverse 4 (side to side.. Making for a short but wide motor). Although both 4 cyls they were very different in execution. I can't remember anyone making a transverse 4 before Honda. At least not a production bike. Would have to comb thru my reference books for conformation though.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

Belgian FN was an inline 4 (front to back making for a very long motor) Japanese CB 750 was a transverse 4 (side to side.. Making for a short but wide motor). Although both 4 cyls they were very different in execution. I can't remember anyone making a transverse 4 before Honda. At least not a production bike. Would have to comb thru my reference books for conformation though.

One thing for certain, Honda's implementation was reliable, low maintenance and fun.

 

[pekingduck]

While they were very limited production, the MV Agusta 600 and the Munch Mammoth both preceded the CB750. Maybe that stretches the definition of production a bit.

 

[the Ferret]

I remember the Munch Mammoth but if I'm not mistaken that was kind of a Frankenstein bike built using an NSU car engine and not an engine made specifically for a motorcycle.

Don't remember the MV 600 going to have to research that one.

Looks like you are right...1967, although only 127 of them were produced. Still it beat the Honda 750 by a year.

The Modern Four: 1967 MV Agusta 600 - Motorcycle Classics

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

I remember the Munch Mammoth but if I'm not mistaken that was kind of a Frankenstein bike built using an NSU car engine and not an engine made specifically for a motorcycle.

Don't remember the MV 600 going to have to research that one.

Looks like you are right...1967, although only 127 of them were produced. Still it beat the Honda 750 by a year.

The Modern Four: 1967 MV Agusta 600 - Motorcycle Classics

Nice read Ferret. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Cormanus]

There was the Ariel square 4. Does that count? There was also a Danish motorcycle called the Nimbus which had an inline 4 -cylinder engine, although it was mounted fore and aft rather than laterally. Nimbus (motorcycle) - Wikipedia