Built to challenge Triumph’s Speed Twin, the Norton Dominator had several variations over its 15 year run. One of of the most influential ‘Dommies’ was the Model 88.
Rebirth – 1988 Harris Matchless G80
Regular readers of this site should be familiar with the Matchless G80, the classic British single which was built between 1946 and 1966. What you may not be familiar with is the Harris G80, a ‘new Matchless G80’ developed by Les Harris after he decided to stop making Bonnevilles under license.
1982 Yamaha Seca XJ550
It would be easy to assume that the engine in the XJ550 was just a destroked 650, but that ain’t fair. It was almost an all-new design, with a 6-speed transmission, chain final drive, and a new cylinder head with Yamaha’s YICS system that enabled 50+ mpg fuel consumption. It was a solid mid-sized motorcycle with a love it or …
1974 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
View PostNice Price – 1982 Honda Ascot VT500
Named after Ascot Park, a former flat-track raceway in Los Angeles, the Honda Ascot (also known as the VT500) was a V-Twin standard that was styled after flat-track bikes. I used to think the front headlight looked silly, and in the process I unfairly over-looked the Ascot. It didn’t sell well, but owners are passionate about this bike – an …
Baby Hawk – 1967 Honda CB160
View Post1972 Jawa Californian 350
Post Listing Update: This Californian was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Also known as the ‘Roadster Model 362″, the Jawa Californian was a quirky standard that would be outclassed in a game of Top Trumps against its Japanese competition, but made up for it with eccentric style and features.
1968 Honda CB350
Introduced in 1968, the Honda CB350 became Honda’s best selling model when it was released – in its first year of production it was the best selling motorcycle in the world. Even though over 250,000 were sold in just five years, here’s one of the first 200 examples that rolled off the line.
1956 Sunbeam S8
After WWII, as part of reparations, BMW gave up its designs of the BMW R75. Bikes like Chang Jiang and Ural used these designs, but England’s take was the Sunbeam S7. You can see the BMW influence when you look at a side profile, but Sunbeam wanted to differentiate themselves by utilizing a inline vertical twin instead of the German …
1968 Ducati 250 Monza
I can never decide if I prefer the aesthetics of the pre-66 Monzas (much less angular), but here’s a bike that’s claimed to be a ‘great, unrestored, original condition bike’. This bike (VIN: 98405) runs well and everything works, however the seller says you’ll want to replace the tires. Included in the sale is a new battery, which is good …
A Tale of Two Owners – 1964 BMW R60/2
The original owner of this lovely /2 put 22,224 miles on it in 21 years. In the following 30 years, the next owner (who is the current seller) put on another…300. I wonder what the third owner will do with it…
V-Twin Custom – 2015 Royal Enfield Musket
This post ends with a bike for sale, but it starts with the story of an incredibly passionate and talented guy who grew up in India, heard the intoxicating sound of a Harley-Davidson V-Twin, and resolved to replicate that noise with what he had access to – Royal Enfield singles. Several years later he was in the US with a …
Paintless Restoration – 1973 BMW R75/5
Though the seller keeps insisting this slash 5 is the ‘best original you will find’, it’s gone through a ‘paintless restoration’ that includes a tremendous amount of OEM replacement parts.
1956 Isomoto 150
7-4-15 Update: 6 months later, this Isomoto has been relisted a few times at the price. Today, though, it’s back up for sale with a ~20% discount. Find it available for $4,500 or best offer here on eBay. Iso was a automobile and motorcycle manufacturer that was best known for creating the Isetta and a string of performance cars like …
1968 Norton Mercury
Introduced in October 1968 (and produced only until February of 1970), the Norton Mercury was considered by some to be a ‘parts bin’ bike when it was released. History has been a bit kinder to it – only about 750 were ever sold and it was the last of the Dominator twins.