Mike,
When I bought my GTR new in Sept. '68, the "Bridgestone" plate came as part of the bike, it wasn't an extra. I'd guess many got tossed the first time plates were put on, since they were often considered just an unnecessary piece of advertising tin. Another factor was that they are pretty thin brittle material and tend to crack from vibration. All the factors that tended to make them disappear over the years now makes it that much cooler to find one that has survived!
