Rikuo VL1200 in Movies

in Nora-neko rokku: Mashin animaru
Nora-neko rokku: Mashin animaru

I think this might be the Japanese-built Harley clone form just pre WW2. I notice the sidecar is in the right side of the bike, usually in the countries with left hand traffic, the sidecar is in the left side of the bike. From what I read in this story - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikuo_Motorcycle - this is a Rikuo VL1200 from the 1950s. I agree it is odd that the sidecar is on the right. Is the pic printed the right way round? Yes, it was like this the whole movie.

in Escapade in Japan
Escapade in Japan

Harley-Davidson, difficult to be sure which model as we can;t see the front forks. Looks like a circa 1951 Pontiac in the background.

In 50's Japan this would be a locally manufactured Rikuo, not Harley. Can't tell from the pictures but if telescopic forks it's a 750cc RQ, if girder forks it's a 1200cc VL/VLE. Looking again, the forks are black painted, this would indicate to me girders (the telescopics on 750's were chrome & polished alloy just like the [Showa] ones fitted to Hydra & Duo glides) This is a VL/VLE 1200.
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Aliases

  • VL 1200