Author Topic: Lowest surviving GTR VIN  (Read 2887 times)

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fast idle

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Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« on: September 21, 2018, 09:25:39 PM »
New member here so please don't kick me if this has been covered before. I was wondering if anyone knows what the lowest surviving 350 GTR VIN is.

Offline moonpup

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2018, 10:09:44 PM »
Vin # 00108 owned by member "bikenstein"
Confucius say... "Better to have Bridgestone than Kidneystone"

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2018, 12:21:40 AM »
Thanks, moonpup!

Offline srpackrat49

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2018, 03:09:53 PM »
well i have a TAKA with 00002 Ha.... beet that banana

Offline moonpup

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2018, 03:17:17 PM »
Do you have a low vin fast idle?
« Last Edit: September 23, 2018, 03:34:29 PM by moonpup »
Confucius say... "Better to have Bridgestone than Kidneystone"

fast idle

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2018, 07:50:46 PM »
Yes,
 Acquired this bike recently from the original owner.
Still can't believe it.
It's a May 1967 bike.
Serial Number 21Q00037

fast idle

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2018, 07:56:20 PM »
And the frame is NA1-00038

With engine NA1-00023

Offline moonpup

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2018, 08:02:01 PM »
Wow, congrats.....you now have the lowest GTR vin that I'm aware of.

Had to change some data I posted elsewhere on the site.  See my post on page 2 of this thread.....  http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=4487.msg26460#msg26460
Confucius say... "Better to have Bridgestone than Kidneystone"

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2018, 08:12:38 PM »
Thanks moonpup.
I just started on the restoration so the bike is in pieces but it will be back on the street next spring!

Offline BRT-GTR

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2018, 07:59:20 AM »
             Will echo the 'WOW',  that's a very interesting find for the BS fraternity. Earliest GTR, known history and matching numbers, well, as near as they get on a BS  ;D ;D
           Looks like the frame welder was still on a learning curve !, he got the hang of it by the time he got to my 934 frame - noticeably cleaner welds  ::)
          Frame number stamped on the frame brace and upside down !, wonder when that got moved to the headstock tube ?

          There were a small number of minor improvements made to the engines during the first 12 months of production, see service letters on this site for details. Most concerned the clutch arrangement.  Yours may have some mods if it was dealer maintained but don't worry if it doesn't, it will run just fine.
         Look after that one, its got provenance, good luck with the restoration and we're all here to help if you have any questions.                                                                                                Brian.
Unspoiled by progress.
I'm so glad I grew up in the 60s & 70s. I did so much stupid stuff and there's no record of it.............Anywhere !!

fast idle

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2018, 10:12:35 AM »
Thanks Brian.
It's really cool to have the oldest known survivor but now it's also a responsibility. It has me re-thinking things. I was hoping to get by with a 90 percent restoration but this bike deserves better. It will no doubt eventually need a permanent home in a museum.

I'm up for the task but there will be some challenges. The mufflers are quite beat up. Hopefully there are all the necessary parts out there.
I've contacted Richard on the first round of parts. Waiting to see what he has.

Thanks for offering to help. I will definitely have some questions. I've restored many motorcycles but this is my first Bridgestone.

Offline steve

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2018, 11:20:19 AM »
Congratulations! That's a nice bike to have. As Brian says, very interesting to see the VIN stamped on the frame brace, haven't seen that before. I also noted the cable tang located on the inside of the frame...I could be wrong but don't recall seeing that before either.

Do you have any other pictures of the bike that you can add also please...would be very interested to see.

Thanks,
Steve

fast idle

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2018, 11:39:47 AM »
I actually acquired two 350's at the same time. One assembled 350 GTO with the GTR exhaust on it. No tittle, no GTO exhaust.
The 350 GTR was 90% disassembled but came with a clean tittle from the original owner. He had parked the GTR when it needed major maintenance and picked up the used GTO to ride instead. That was decades ago. He used some of the GTR parts on the GTO. Everything sat in a shed for years until I ran across them.
Here is the GTO complete with Honda turn signals, a Kawasaki tail light, and period correct sissy bar, ha ha.
 And the basket case GTR.

Offline Jeff Bar

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2018, 12:38:18 PM »
Wow!  The look good, really they do.  I bet they will turn out nice! popcorn popcorn
Thanks for the photos banana banana banana banana
Jeff Bar

Offline slawsonb

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2018, 02:47:10 PM »
Very cool find! Good luck with your resto...
...bert

Offline Steve Swan

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2018, 05:20:30 PM »
i truly respect your new-found appreciation for being the caretaker of the 38th frame and 23rd engine combination off the Bridgestone production assembly line! - "It's really cool to have the oldest known survivor but now it's also a responsibility. It has me re-thinking things. I was hoping to get by with a 90 percent restoration but this bike deserves better."

i am also glad you have experience restoring motorcycles!  Best of luck with the project and looking forward to hearing any nuances you discover making #38 distinct from later VIN's!
« Last Edit: September 24, 2018, 05:23:04 PM by Steve Swan »

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2018, 09:01:24 PM »
Thanks Steve!

Offline coxy

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2018, 09:41:30 PM »
To nice congratulations that is super cool



Offline husker

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #18 on: September 25, 2018, 08:14:36 AM »
Awesome! Best wishes for a smooth and trouble free restoration. This is an excellent forum for help and information.
1968 Bridgestone GTR350,  1971 Kawasaki A7SS, 1983 KZ750 LTD

fahrkle

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Re: Lowest surviving GTR VIN
« Reply #19 on: September 25, 2018, 12:42:34 PM »
CONGRATULATIONS FAST IDLE!!! Where are you located? I am in Green Bay, WI

 


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