Additional photos of this 1970 Bridgestone 200 MK-II SS are available here for your perusal.
The Bridgestone Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products such as industrial materials and sporting goods, but for a couple of decades they also made motorcycles. They started building bikes in 1958 and were highly successful on the race track thanks to several features that were ahead of their time. So why did they stop making bikes? Well, their Japanese motorcycle competitors were also their customers when it came to tires, and the dramatic (but unconfirmed) rumor is that companies like Honda and Yamaha made it clear that they wouldn’t supply their products with Bridgestone tires if they continued to build motorcycles.
In 1964, Bridgestone introduced a lineup of bikes ranging from 50cc to 350cc – near the middle was the Mach II 200 (based off the 175 Dual Twin), which was available in RS (Road Sport) and SS (Street Scrambler) variants. Both were offered between 1967-1971.
Standard features included oil-injection, a combined ignition/generator, and a dual-mode transmission called “Sport Shift.” As explained by Motorcycle Classics, “shifting the lever forward put the transmission into a 4-speed rotary shift pattern, with neutral between fourth gear and first gear, and with the gear pattern repeated endlessly by pressing down on the foot shift. Shifting the lever rearward brought an overdrive fifth gear into play and made the transmission shift in the regular one down, four up pattern, with neutral between first and second gear.”
This example is VIN: 23B04244.
The odometer shows 8,004 miles.
Modifications:
This MK-II SS appears to be stock.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on tires that have aged out.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Bridgestone is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any MK-II SS stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
