Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: TA129041
MOT: Exempt

• Rare in the UK 175 Disc Valve Twin
• An interesting restoration project
• Supplied with a VJMC dating letter

Bridgestone is a Japanese company more famous for producing tyres but between 1952 and 1970 they made a range of two-stroke motorcycles. Like many manufacturers, they initially made power-assisted bicycles but soon moved on to quite technically-advanced products that in some ways were ahead of their time. The impressive technical specification and quality materials used resulted in the machines being more expensive compared to other manufacturers’, with most of the output going to the USA. Production was stopped in 1970 when it was rumoured that the other Japanese manufacturers threatened to stop buying tyres from Bridgestone if they continued to function as opposition. Very few bikes came to Britain so they are a rare sight at vintage events and rarely come on the market.

This Bridgestone 175, being offered at no reserve, is thought to have been initially sold in Northern Ireland on a Belfast issued registration number 6540WZ. There are no documents with the bike, but it comes with a VJMC dating letter that describes it as being a Hurricane model, although it has the low-level exhaust of the Dual Twin. Unusually, Bridgestone had a third identification number as well as the normal frame and engine numbers, this example’s 'Serial Plate No.' being 16R31727. Showing a high degree of originality, the vendor has had it running with a view to undertaking a full restoration at a later date but has now decided to move it on. Bridgestones are few and far between and always make an interesting project.

More images to follow.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189