Hacker News Reader

Honda started as a motorcycle. Making excellent tiny engines, it made sense to sell them as components to those who need portable combustion power. I used to work in a factory building pressure washers that used Honda.

Branching out from there in to tiny automobiles came later. It likely helped them be experts at high RPM low displacement, which ultimately won out vs what the American engine makers were doing at the time.

Yamaha is another maker of various things:

Maker of electronic keyboards, outboard motors, jetskis, motorcycles, pianos, drums and guitars.

The logo appears to be 3 tuning forks.

Mitsubishi race cars and heavy mining equipment.

Bridgestone bicycles.

Just scored a 1992 RB-1 earlier this year. Had to order some parts to restore it to factory-correct, but it'll be rebuilt this weekend. Great, great bikes. Lusted after one for a long time.