Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted October 16, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted October 16, 2011 The wifey and I decided to take in a bit of local culture today by visiting an art show in a tiny little town called Edom. Every fall they have a fairly prestigious art show/festival that doesn't disappoint. Since I forgot to buy her anything for her birthday yesterday I figured this was the best way to get straight so off we went. After she quickly rocketed me to the poorhouse buying jewelry and pottery we opted for lunch in another nearby small town. This one is named Ben Wheeler and only a couple years ago took on a major transformation from its very sad and run-down condition. Former CMRA racer Brooks Gremmels essentially "bought" the town which was nothing more than a couple buildings and began rebuilding it. Brooks' memories as a child stopping in this once thriving small town stayed with him over the years. Now a successful businessman he wanted to bring the town back to life. Among many buildings that were brought in and others that were rebuilt, one of them is nothing more than a tiny ice cream shop/moto museum. Today I walked in and saw a Harley dirt-tracker, a Triumph powered streamliner, Triumph Blackbird, old Indian, couple of Cushman scooters, an RC45, some old BSA, Bulltaco trials bike.....WAIT A MINUTE!!! An RC45?? In podunk Ben Wheeler Texas?? Yessir!! Near mint condition I might add. Here's my crappy cell phone pics for proof. I'll have to go back with my real camera for better shots of all the bikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB-Oz Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 ask him how much he wants for that old bike, you might get a bargain :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted October 17, 2011 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 17, 2011 ask him how much he wants for that old bike, you might get a bargain :) Great idea!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer huskysooner Posted October 17, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted October 17, 2011 Very cool, not to mention a surprising find. But kinda a shame to see such a machine just sitting there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Maybe you could get it cheaper than in some Mexican mall south of the border. BTW, I'll bet Larry would LOVE to know the serial number. Maybe grab that next time you're there and update the thread. He's always looking for the "missing" 45's as there were only 200 brought over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted October 17, 2011 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 17, 2011 I thought about Larry but couldn't easily spot the serial number without jumping the chain. I'll see what I can do to contact the owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted October 17, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted October 17, 2011 Maybe the owner is willing to trade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 These finds are getting much rarer as time goes by, but who knows..........Maybe Ghadaffy's sons had a few interesting bikes like RC45s in their garages too. Any VFRD members in the area that can maybe check?? Note that Syria could be the next place for a find..... Somebody can maybe make a career fo locating exotic cars and bikes left behind by despots and negotiating their sale and "disposal" with the incoming next government?? I would think the citizens can use cash more than exotic sportbikes and cars to rebuild their countries?? Heck, you can enjoy them for a little while, while getting them back to roadworthy shape and then flip them for real big money through an auction house.... Hey!, this could be a good script for a new reality show! The ULTIMATE pickers! Beck 95 VFR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BusyLittleShop Posted October 17, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted October 17, 2011 Thanks Dutch for the info... I'm delighted and excited to finally have a photo... I'm the guy who was lucky enough to locate one without trying too and you're right... you never know when you'll see an RC45... you mention Brooks Gremmels so its possible that is his balls 56 which holds the distinction of being the last one imported into North America... World Wide Honda produced 500 RC45s to satisfy WSBK homologation rules... Honda imported 56 to North America... balls 1 thru 5 went to Canada... balls 6 thru 56 went to the USA to satisfy AMA homogation rules... Freddie Spencer got balls 6 the first RC45 available to America... Mr.RC45 is balls 2 Canadian... it sold for $32,000 Canadian in 94 I paid $8,000 USD in 98... My true story published in Grey Bike International... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2088747529_d8046d5e86_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2088747519_cca67569c7_b.jpg As some of you know I keep a running log of all the RC45s and their owners so if you ever do get lucky enough to locate one please record the VIN and fire me a message... many thanks in advance... currently I've located 45 of the North American 56 and 65 of the 500 World wide... RC45 scans for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 There is an RC45 on display at the Honda/Kawasaki dealership in Denton TX. Pretty cool display since they also have an RC36 right behind it and an RC51 in front of it. All with about 1800 miles on each. Let me know if this one is not in your log. I can ride up there and get the VIN for you. There is no chain keeping me away from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee 2002 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 That's some Fancy-assed Ice Cream you have there, Dutchy. I think Larry has this reply "canned" so he can cut-n-paste it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 That fatefull day in Mexico really seemed to have really defined Larry's future with bikes from that day on.........Now I'm curious if he would have pursued getting an RC45 anyway, if that whole thing in the Mexican mall did not happen..... Beck 95 VFR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer gmtech94 Posted October 17, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted October 17, 2011 # 0001 RC 45 was sold from the bike shop I worked at in Lambeth Ontario and I still have the shipping crate with the # on it . I got to ride this bike for a few hundred kms during the break in cycle on local roads and found it to be okay but not as comfy as my 86 VFR . It was later sold to a collector in the US. List price was $37,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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