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Another Revolution Heard From – 1974 Yamaha TY250

In Japan, Off-Road by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This TY250 sold for $2,175 after 18 bids on eBay. The early to middle part of the 1970s were a wonderful time to be a motorcycle junkie. The Japanese manufacturers were aggressively in search of market share worldwide-seemingly expanding into every niche and even creating new ones that we didn’t even know we wanted.

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The Thumper Returns – 1976 Yamaha TT500

In Japan, Off-Road by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Through all of the 1960s you really had two choices if you wanted to play in the dirt. Many manufacturers made ‘Scrambler’ models but they really were better at getting you to the dirt than actually getting dirty. You could either ride a two stroke single that made horsepower like crazy or ride a vintage English 4 stroke single. Both …

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1975 Honda CR125 Elsinore

In Japan, Off-Road by Cas VanderwoudeLeave a Comment

A Honda 2 stroke? Back in 1973, Honda released their best ever dirt bike – the CR125 Elsinore. Prior to this, Honda dirt bikes were … well … not appreciated. That was about to change very quickly. At 20 HP, 188 LBS wet and sporting a 6 speed transmission, the Elsinores not only handled rather well, they went like the …

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1997 Montesa Cota 315R

In Off-Road, Spain by Ted CloughLeave a Comment

Every so often I see a trials video, or catch some vintage trials at Barber and I think – I need to try that. I know I will never be a roadracer from my trackday experiences, and motocross/enduro are also pretty much out of the question as it is not a question of whether you will crash, but how much …

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One Of A Kind – 1967 BSA Trials

In England, Off-Road by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This custom trials bike sold for the BIN of $7,500, but was then relisted a couple of days later and eventually pulled off of eBay. I’m baffled. I don’t even know what to call this motorcycle. BSA motor and transmission but that is just about it. It’s a no doubt custom built Trials bike fabricated around a …

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1969 CZ 360 Sidepipe

In Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

Also known as the Type 969, the CZ 360 was impressively similar to the factory motocross race bike – one that won three straight 500cc World MX Championships thanks to the riding of Paul Friedrichs. Here’s an example that’s been recently restored and is ready for vintage racing.

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1969 Honda Z50 Mini Trail

In Japan, Off-Road, Small Displacement by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Designed and built originally as an attraction at a Japanese amusement park, when Honda officials saw the reaction of all ages, they decided to market the bike to the world. Starting in 1964, the Z50 turned out to be a very successful seller for HMC. Commonly called the ‘Monkey Bike’ based on how adults looked riding this teeny bike it …

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0 Miles – 1978 Harley-Davidson MX250

In America, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the late 70s, Harley was in a phase of small-displacement bikes while under the control of AMF. They decided to dabble in the world of motocross, and had their Italian branch, Aermacchi, build the Harley-Davidson MX250. It was the first (and only) HD MX bike, and it only lasted for one year. This example is claimed to be in …

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1963 Triumph TS20 Cub

In England, Off-Road by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

The first Triumph Tiger Cub was born in 1954 as a little brother to the TR6. By 1963 the Cub was available in several variants including the TS20 Trials which was advertised as being as close to the Triumph ‘works’ bikes as possible. 340 of the Triumph TS20s were built in 1963 with all but 10 being shipped to the …

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1968 Greeves Challenger

In Off-Road by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Bert Greeves first brush with motorcycle manufacturing came in 1954. By 1960 his lightweight Greeves 250CC dirt bikes were dominant in England using a Villers motor. In 1964 Greeves introduced his own motor in the Challenger. The rest is history, for the rest of the 60’s Greeves dominated the 250 class world wide. Greeves was a big proponent of “Race …