I recently rediscover an old folder tucked away that was full of beautiful motorcycle illustrations by Masaki Okamoto. I had the privilege to meet Okamoto at Daytona several years ago. Tracy Hagen brought Okamoto to my attention in the late ‘90s. Tracy met Okamoto at the Suzuka Eight Hour, where the artist was selling 8 ½ x 11 copies of his ink and watercolor paintings of historic and current-day racing motorcycles and popular sport bikes. What Masaki could do with a simple ink pen and watercolors was amazing. Tracy, Masaki and Dean Adams teamed to make limited-edition Okamoto prints available to American racing fans the http://www.Superbikeplanet.com. Okamoto died from brain hemorrhage in 2006. His work lives on and some of his limited-editions prints may still be available. Hagen wrote a tribute to Okamoto here.
Masaki Okamoto’s illustration of the legendary Honda RC181, the 500cc GP machine that Mike Hailwood won the Isle of Man TT in 1967. (Masaki Okamoto Illustration)
Rider Files 
I met Masaki in 2000 at Daytona while working with Honda on a superbike exhibit, in my truck I had a very nice 82 ELR 1000 S1 replica, Masaki and his buddys were hardcore Kawasaki fans. From then on I was a friend with Masaki, I went to Japan twice and hung out with him at the 8hr and at Honda’s Collection Hall. He had a great sence of humor as well as a fantastic artist. His art work is still being sold in Japan, it can be found on “Yahoo Auctions Japan” under “The M Collection” He is missed.
LikeLike