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£800
1982 Honda FT500, 500cc. Registration number NOVA. Frame number JH2PC0700CM005053. Engine number PC07E-2006746
Honda noticed that the Yamaha SR500, although a best-seller in many countries, was not moving quickly off dealership floors in the U.S., due to the lack of two components: a counter balancer and an electric starter. The downside of thumpers was always hard starting and vibration, which on some bikes was so bad it would rattle the fillings in your teeth. The Yamaha design team was able to dampen the SR500’s vibration and used a sight glass for lining up top-dead-center combined with a decompression lever to ease the kickstart-only ignition. However, by 1982, most American riders expected an electric start, and the commuters who were the 500’s natural market just wanted to get to work in the morning without having to learn a complex starting ritual. At the end of 1981, Yamaha decided not to continue importing SR500s into the U.S., while at the same time Honda announced the FT500 Ascot. The Honda Ascot, designated FT500, was sold in 1982 in the colours Monza Red or Black. The tank stripes and the "FT500" decal were gray and silver on the red bike and red and orange on the black bike. On American bikes, the speedometer was limited to 85 mph as was required, in other markets the bike received an 112 mph speedo.
The motorcycle is believed to been imported into Denmark and then to the UK, a NOVA being issued on 31 October 2016.
Sold with the NOVA, spare carburettor with overall kit and a master cylinder assembly.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
15% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
18.6% inc VAT*
Telephone Bids:
15% inc VAT*
