Bought new in 1965 now 56 years old.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

This is amongst the oldest tools I own that were purchased new by me back in the day - I bought it from one of  the Honda Dealers in Derby I think it was Palins rather than Bob Minions.
I had never heard of JIS drivers but the Parts Department advised me that this part was a Honda special tool was needed to undo the crankcase screws.

It is marked "KOWA Made in Japan" still visible on the shaft - in later years it was used to remove rear brake drum screws as you could hit it with a hammer being all steel construction.

.KOWA Made in Japan by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[philward]

Just bought the modern equivalent

[AshimotoK0]

My 1st tool was a 10mm Britool ring spanner bought as a schoolboy for my Honda C200 90cc for 7 shillings and sixpence in 1971.... a few weeks before decimalisation came in.

Our local Honda dealer sold the Japanese made Vessel 'T' JIS screwdrivers with red plastic covering which soon cracked off and then they looked like your Kowa one.

I now have these which are mainly made by Kowa and Ex-Honda UK (when their Main Service dept.  was  in Nottingham). Absolutely brilliant tools.


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[Skoti]

Just had a  rumage about and found an old 'made in Japan' Vessel 'T' JIS screw driver (number 3 point), complete with original red plastic handle intact.
I don't think I've used it since I worked in a Honda dealers during the 70's...
 

[Laverda Dave]

I've got that castellated one in the centre, seem to recall it fits the 400/4

You are right Ken it does. When I was restoring my first 400/4 in '82' I tried to borrow one of those tools from my local Honda dealer (HGB). Of course they said no as well as telling me the mechanic who does jobs for free wasn't working that particular day either just in case I was going to ask . No fear, I did what the ever helpful Haynes manual told me to do, use a piece of thick welding wire bent into a U-shape and wedged into a socket. The result of this bodge was a mangled nut that would not come off. In the end a guy in the plant shop at work (Acton train overhaul works) made me a socket up, I've still got it and it works a treat.
Ash, The first tool I bought was a Kamansa 1/2" drive socket set from John Brown Wheels (anyone remember them?). Cost me £20 in 1979. Lovely set but it got stolen along with all nmy other tools when my gagrage was broken into about 20 years ago. Replaced with Teng.

[philward]

I remember that name 'John Brown Wheels' Dave, but can't remember from where? Were they a mail order firm?

[Laverda Dave]

I remember that name 'John Brown Wheels' Dave, but can't remember from where? Were they a mail order firm?

Mail order and they also had some shops. I used to visit the one in Croydon. They sold all sorts, wheels, exhausts (Campbell Geometric with the cast collector box if I remember right), Tools, leathers, helmets and of course.....Derri Boots .

[philward]

I remember that name 'John Brown Wheels' Dave, but can't remember from where? Were they a mail order firm?

Mail order and they also had some shops. I used to visit the one in Croydon. They sold all sorts, wheels, exhausts (Campbell Geometric with the cast collector box if I remember right), Tools, leathers, helmets and of course.....Derri Boots .

Derri Boots! Another blast from the past

[Bryanj]

Chould never keep derriboots in stock, i had 2 pairs so i could get the heels replaced regularly

[AshimotoK0]

I've got that castellated one in the centre, seem to recall it fits the 400/4

You are right Ken it does. When I was restoring my first 400/4 in '82' I tried to borrow one of those tools from my local Honda dealer (HGB). Of course they said no as well as telling me the mechanic who does jobs for free wasn't working that particular day either just in case I was going to ask . No fear, I did what the ever helpful Haynes manual told me to do, use a piece of thick welding wire bent into a U-shape and wedged into a socket. The result of this bodge was a mangled nut that would not come off. In the end a guy in the plant shop at work (Acton train overhaul works) made me a socket up, I've still got it and it works a treat.
Ash, The first tool I bought was a Kamansa 1/2" drive socket set from John Brown Wheels (anyone remember them?). Cost me £20 in 1979. Lovely set but it got stolen along with all nmy other tools when my gagrage was broken into about 20 years ago. Replaced with Teng.

Got a Kamasa 1/2" drive socket set for my 21st from my GF and still have ...not fully complete though as my old neighbour's son  in my 1st house  borrowed some pieces and never returned them.  Yes I remember John Brown Wheels and also 'The House of Wheels' think they were in Leyton

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have a 3/8" Drive Kamasa socket set - it has Metric & AF sockets but the fixed wrench broke from me abusing it a good 20 years ago. I bought the set from Donnington Market about 30 years or so ag0 it was around £20 - I'm not sure but didn't they go bust or change ownership.

[Andrew-S]

I remember that name 'John Brown Wheels' Dave, but can't remember from where? Were they a mail order firm?

Mail order and they also had some shops. I used to visit the one in Croydon. They sold all sorts, wheels, exhausts (Campbell Geometric with the cast collector box if I remember right), Tools, leathers, helmets and of course.....Derri Boots .

Derri Boots! Another blast from the past

Ahhh, John Brown Wheels and Derri Boots - remember them well! 

[SteveD CB500K0]

Bell Star helmet.
£60
1976

Everyone said I was mad spending that much on a helmet.


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[Laverda Dave]

Bell Star helmet.
£60
1976

Everyone said I was mad spending that much on a helmet.


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It's lasted you well Steve

[Bryanj]

Bell, the only helmet you could turn up at scrineering without an acu sticker and still race
When they put them to british standards they faile because the chin strapwas a fraction of a mm not wide enough but the material was way stronger than required.
I bought a Shoei which was the japanese copy, had a slightly bigger apeture top to bottom