Description
This motorcycle is Lot 52 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
** c. 1954 Cabton 500cc RTF**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 544914RC
Engine no. TF 4194
** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.**
"Was a leading manufacturer. The machines, built much on typical English lines were 123cc to 246cc two-strokes and – mainly – ohv vertical twins from 248cc to 648cc." - Tragatsch.
Now largely forgotten, Cabton was originally based in Osaka, Japan and later in Inuyama. Founded by Koushiro Nakagawa and his son, the company produced motorcycles from around 1933 to 1960 (published sources differ with regard to the exact dates). Cabton's first motorcycle was a 346cc overhead-valve single copied from the British Ariel, although most of the production in the early years was lightweight two-strokes, likewise copied from British designs. Prior to 1940 Cabton was Japan's largest motorcycle manufacture and supplied Japan's armed forces throughout WW2.
By the mid 1950s Cabton were producing overhead-valve single and twin-cylinder models ranging in size from 250cc to 600cc. Made by Mitsubishi, the engines were copies of British and American designs and the gearboxes were based on Burman types. The machines featured tubular frames, telescopic forks and plunger rear suspension. Cabton was the first Japanese manufacturer to adopt telescopic forks. Nearly 10, 000 machines were produced in 1955, making Cabton Japan's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer at that time. The firm's small capacity two-strokes were marketed under the Mizuho brand.
One of Cabton's top-of-the-range models, this RTF is powered by a 'mirror image' copy of the post-war Indian Model 249 overhead-valve vertical twin, which was built in 440cc and 500cc capacities and marketed by Indian under the Arrow, Scout and Warrior names. Cabton's version was well made and fast but also expensive, costing the equivalent of a year's salary for a typical Japanese worker. Towards the end of the 1950s Cabton had begun losing sales to new-kids-on-the-block Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki; production was wound-down in 1958 and the company closed in 1960.
Offered unregistered and without documents. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Key not required
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
