Old Bike Australasia magazine #46 article for discussion

[RayK]

I would be interested to hear members' views on the letter re Taka, Tora, Chibi etc

[CL-100]

Interesting story but not sure on the accuracy of the information.  I have a '74 Taka that looks like the TAS Taka in the photo.  The writer states that these were sold in the Pacific Rim but wouldn't they have Km speedos if that were true?  I've seen plenty of these with MPH speedometers.  He doesn't address the 100 or 175/200 Bridgestones which were clearly made after 1969 and sold in the U.S.

I've heard about Buffalo's but never seen one.  That part of the story makes sense to me but again, I'm not familiar with them.  I also heard from an older bike mechanic that at one time Bridgestone had Taiwan make oil injection pumps for the 100 (and maybe others).  He said there was a problem with some of these pumps used on the Taka's, but I don't recall if they were the Taiwan pumps or ones made elsewhere.

Just my take on the article.  Others may read it differently.

[RayK]

Thanks for your feedback CL; l agree that the letter writer from New Zealand may have his information a little confused. I have a couple of comments:
* As far as I know Bridgestone bikes were never imported into NZ and I think he is basing his story on the GTR 350 article in OBA #43, which only talked about the 350 - so he may be unaware of the 175/200s sold in the late 60s
* I have a 1967 Trail 90 with a Km speedo and BS logo. The Km speedos were on bikes sold in SE Asia e.g. Thailand. My 1968 100Sport that I bought that year had a dual MPH/KmPH speedo. Australia converted to the metric system in the early 1970s
* I am under the impression that quite a few Taka's were sent to NZ. Chibi's were certainly sold in Australia under the Tas Motor brand.
* I don't recall the Buffalo in Australia, however others may know if it was sold here.

Ray