GB250 “Clubman” with Original Paint! The All-penned Café with a High Level of Perfection.

GB250(249cc)
Owner: Kurasō

From among the MY BIKES posted in the Webike community, here is the motorcycle that "Kurasō" is currently riding, a GB250.

The "GB" may be better known nowadays for the very popular neo-classic GB350, but until the introduction of the GB350 in 2021, the "GB" referred to two models: the GB250 and the GB400. Both models were popular for their air-cooled single-cylinder engines, large round headlights, and traditional design with little ornamentation, and the GB250 in particular had a long life span from its launch in 1983 to 1997. At the time, water-cooled high-performance machines were already appearing one after another, and the GB250, which dared to aim for a classic and simple configuration, was in a position similar to what is now called a neo-classic (a term that did not exist at the time).

GB250 is very popular as a base machine for café racer customization, and there are many aftermarket parts such as rearsets and cowls that can be used for café customization. It is also one of the most attractive features of GB250. The simple structure makes it easy to customize, and the design has an atmosphere similar to BSA and Norton in England, the birthplace of café racers. It is also worth mentioning that it has a high-performance potential, which is worthy of the name "racer".

In modern times, air-cooled single-cylinder engines are associated with engines with a gentle atmosphere, such as the Monkey and Cub engines. The GB250's engine, however, was actually originally based on a lightweight sports engine called the CBX250RS. As the name of the "CB" series synonymous with Honda sports, it was a model with high sporting performance thanks to its amazing lightness and single-cylinder power. The engine was a DOHC 4-valve, equipped with a semi-cam gear train and "RFVC," and boasted 30 PS/9,000 rpm, the strongest level of 250 cc single-cylinder power at high rpm and high output. Incidentally, the output of the Yamaha SR400, a representative 400cc single-cylinder, is 24 PS at 6,500 rpm. Although the characteristics are different, the power output is superior to that of an engine with a displacement one rank higher. While it has the potential to be "seriously fast" rather than "looks fast," the OEM appearance of such a model is so docile that it is hard not to stimulate the desire for customization.

Kurasō has taken such a GB250 and made it look chic by equipping it with a smaller bikini cowl, while keeping the OEM silhouette intact. One thing that cannot be overlooked here is the beautifully finished green "sunburst" paint job! This technique is often used on guitars, violins, and other musical instruments, where the center of the surface is lightened and gradually darkened to create a high-quality finish. The sunburst paint is applied to the café-style GB250, and the dark green color is a beautiful British maker's style! This is a custom motorcycle with a high degree of perfection.

The "CBX250RS," the predecessor of the GB250, was a lightweight sportbike that appeared during the heyday of replica machines. The word "CBX" brings to mind a multi-cylinder model, but there was also a 250cc model that aimed for high performance with a single cylinder. However, it seems that they could not resist the boom of the time, and it is regrettable that there are so few of them still in existence.

"Sunburst paint" is not often used on motorcycles, but it is a limited color that is sometimes used on the SR400. This is due to the fact that Yamaha is involved in the manufacture of musical instruments, but it looks great on Honda motorcycles, too! The "old wing emblem" that was daringly chosen is also classic and can't be missed!