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We all know Bridgestone today for their tires, but the company actually started with bicycles. Naturally they then moved onto motorcycles and even had some success with racing in Japan. This BS-90 is nothing fancy, but should make for a fun and affordable project. It is located in Milwaukee and is listed here on craigslist with a $300 asking price. A big thanks goes to Zak H. for the tip!
I have a parts bike for this if anyone is interested.
Wonder what else is around the edges of the room
I agree with Seth. It looks like there is many ther old bikes in that shop
Man, this one really takes me back! I was 14 in the summer of 1964, and some kid gave me a BS90, because he had broken off the kick starter shaft, and it wasn’t worth whatever it was going to cost to fix it. I rode that thing all summer (why the cops never popped me, I can’t imagine). I would run with it, then jump on and pop the clutch, and away I went!
At that time, all the cool, older guys were buying Honda 305 Super Hawks.
It was my very first motorcycle, and I have owned at least one continuously since that time. Next spring, it will be 50 years!
I don’t remember the BS 90 but I remember the Scrambler 175 and the 350 GTR (both in ’67). I never owned either one but guys I knew each had one. The 175 wasn’t very good in the rough (and spent a lot of time broken) and the 350 went like Jack, The Bear. But BS chromed the cylinder bores instead of using an iron liner so they didn’t last at all. I think the 350 was finished at 6K miles and the 175 didn’t hardly make it past the year.
Interesting that you mention the Super Hawk. There were a few of them (CB250 Hawks too) in our neighborhood back in the 60s but they ended up being replaced with BSA Lightnings (or Thunderbolts), or Triumph TR6s and Bonnevilles.
bridgestone made some very nice motorcycles back in the day. i too wonder about the the bikes in the background. great find
Hey everyone. Thanks for all the interest and stories about the BS 90. I received it from a good friend a few months ago who is a collector of old motorcycles. The bike is in fact in milwaukee wi, inside the Milwaukee Vintage Motorcyclists Clubhouse. There are a few gems in this building, one being the 66 cl160 just to the left of the photo. Any one interested in the BS please do not hesitate to email me directly. I would love for this bike to go to someone who knows them. Most of the parts are there along with a manual. No key or title though. Special thanks to Barn Finds for posting the ad.
Uncovered my 67 Bridgestone 90 Deluxe bought new at 14. Flood of memories. Ran when parked 30 years ago. Now what?