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A Racing Legend – 1954 BMW Rennsport

In Germany, Race by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

After WWII, BMW’s return to racing started slowly. In 1951 their first effort, called the Mustang, was a basic rework of their 1938 racing motor without the supercharger. They were not competitive. By late 1953 BMW brought out the 500 CC Rennsport (Racing Sport), a bevel gear driven dual overhead cam high compression racing motor that was very fast. Walter …

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Dresda Framed – 1979 Honda CB750 Formula Racer

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the 1960s, a gentleman named Dave Degens started building frames under the brand name of Dresda. He initially had success with Tritons, and then big companies started to approach him. One of the most notable was Japauto, Honda’s importer in France. They had Degens build a racing frame for Honda 750cc and 900cc motors, and the team ended up …

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1965 Greeves Silverstone 24RCS

In England, Race by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

In the early 1960s Greeves had started to make it’s presence felt in off road racing in England and Europe with it’s light weight single. In 1962 a racer/engineer named Reg Everett took a Greeves MX bike and modified it for track racing where he promptly started winning. Greeves took note and by 1963 offered an affordable racer, the Silverstone …

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Super Single – 2006 Kawasaki KLX450 Road Racer

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

About a decade ago, AMA debuted a Super Single class (it evolved to become Formula 450). It was developed as a cheap way to get people into road racing – start with a 450cc motocross bike, make a few modifications, and then go racing! Here’s an example that started as a Kawasaki KLX. It was first raced in 2008 and …

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1949 BSA ZB34 Competition

In England, Race by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) introduced the Gold Star in 1938. Available in 350 CC or 500 CC variants they were known as model M24 until WWII interrupted production in 1939. After the war BSA brought the bike back in 1948 as the YB32 (350 CC) and YB34 (500 CC). For 1949 the designation changed to ZB34 which received a new …

TROG Racer – 1940 Harley-Davidson WL

In America, Cruiser, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Harley flathead racer sold for $13,522 after 49 bids on eBay. Built to run in this year’s Race of Gentlemen in Pismo Beach, California, this WL flathead racer features a rebuilt motor with the original cases (matching numbers), original fuel tanks, and original rebuilt Linkert M88 carb. It is plated and could be street legal with …

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Factory Race Bike Project – 1969 Yamaha TD2

In Japan, Race by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

In the middle 60s English singles dominated the European racing world. 125, 250, 350, and 500 class were ruled by English singles. Several Italian manufacturers took a run at the 125 and 250 CC classes, and in 1968 Yamaha brought out the TD1 a 250 class two stroke twin. The two stroke was light and blazingly fast, but had some …