Buy Low, Ride Fast, Sell High

BUY LOW, RIDE FAST, SELL HIGH

A clutch of Japanese bikes most likely to become collectible

WE'RE NOT SEERS. BUT THAT isn’t going to stop us from conjuring up a list of almost-contemporary bikes we think are likely to become collectible. These bikes are special cases because each not only has its own kind of importance, but because parts for most of them will be readily available, and also because nearly all came from designs that insure their continued usability as daily mounts. Will any of them ever be worth really big money? Almost certainly. Which ones, you ask? That’s easy: The ones

that are the most difficult to find. Prices listed here are for complete, running, unrestored motorcycles. And the price range reflects the differences between bikes that have been hammered, and those

1983 Honda Interceptor 750

Honda’s first V-Four may be stuck with that odd, flat drone of an exhaust note, but its introduction redefined performance in the 750cc class and marked the beginning of the current sportbike wars. A comfortable bike that’s still a great street ride. Price—$1400 to $2000.

1979-82 Honda CBX

The Six. Relatively heavy, with spindly fork legs, the emphasis was on smoothness rather than on all-out performance. Early models came in standard guise, later ones came dressed as sport-touring mounts, with nicely crafted fairings. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard the full-throttle exhaust yowl of one of these. Price— $800 to $3000.

1982 Honda CX500 Turbo

An odd mix of the mundane and the exotic, the CX500 Turbo wedded a V-Twin pushrod engine with turbocharging and fuel injection. The result was a very powerful, very rideable motorcycle that likely will be worth some bucks with the passage of time. Actually, any factory turbo likely will be worth finding. But we think this one will be the most collectible. Price—$2000 to $3000.

1975-76 Honda CB400F

This bike carried the Little Engine That Could, and has become motorcycling’s equivalent of the Holy Grail to a cult of enthusiasts whose dedication to this model is almost unparalleled. It doesn’t really matter which year you buy, as long as it’s complete, right down to the stock exhaust system. We prefer the red ones over the yellow, though color matters less than condition. Price—$600 to $1500.

1975 Suzuki RE5

The bike that should erase any doubts about Suzuki's willingness to experiment. Powered by a 497cc, single-rotor, rotary engine that was hung amid avant garde bodywork, the bike was not a great success. Though it was priced competitively, other bikes in its class were more reliable, more comfortable and lighter in weight. Suzuki spokesmen say the company still stocks parts for these. Price—$1000 to $1500.

1982 Suzuki Katana 1000

The Wizard of Weird, motorcycle division. The Katana, from designer Hans Muth, made the rounds of the 1980 show scene

and appeared here as a 1982 model with a 16-valve motor and styling odd enough to make your eyes water. If you've got one of these, and if you've kept it stock and in mint condition, you've done good. Price-$1500 to $3000.

1973-75 Yamaha RD350

Rriiing-ding-ding-ding! A two-wheeled, street-legal rocketship that made that infamous sound, and the progenitor of the RD400 and the later RZ350. They’re all great fun to ride. The ’79 RD400 Daytona Special eventually might have some value, but our best guess is that the early RDs will be the ones to collect. Lay in a supply of ignition parts, rings, pistons and crankcase seals while you still can. Price—$400 to $1000.