In 1977 Triumph released 1,000 bikes as part of a limited edition to commemorate the Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary) of Elizabeth’s rise to Queen. You’d think this would be more important in Britain, but all of the bikes were sold in the US.
1932 Royal Enfield Cycar
Now here’s a rare bird – the Royal Enfield Cycar. Finding information on it has been tough, to say the least…but here’s what I’ve got:
1953 BSA Golden Flash
A 646cc parallel twin, the BSA Golden Flash was the predecessor of the Super Rocket. It was available in black (as shown here) and chrome, but also in a gold paint scheme that led to the distinctive name. Oddly enough, the gold color wasn’t an option in for home-market British customers.
Needs Some Work – 1908 Bradbury Peerless
Founded in 1852, Bradbury & Co. was Europe’s first sewing machine manufacturer. Fast forward to 1902, when Bradbury Motor Cycles was established – their first motorcycles were bicycles with clip on engines, but they went on to sell a variety of motorcycles, including some of the first ones with variable gears. Here’s one of the bikes that was sold before …
Giant Tank – 1970 BMW R75/5
I think the 10.5 gallon Heinrich fuel tank ruins the lines of this bike, but it’s hard to argue with the range capabilities of this restored BMW R75/5.
1957 Ariel Square Four Mk II
The Ariel Square Four design goes all the way back to 1931, soon after Edward Turner designed an interesting new four-cylinder motorcycle engine formed from two OHC parallel twins. The design became known as the square four engine, and lent its name to this Ariel motorcycle.
1956 Maserati Tipo 125/T2
Post Sale Update: This Maserati sold for the BIN of $7,500. You’d be forgiven if you didn’t know Maserati dabbled outside of automobiles – but their sweet trident logo also adorned some beautiful motorcycles. Here’s an example of the two-stroke L2, launched in 1954.
1975 Hercules Wankel 2000
View PostBenelli Made – 1968 Wards Riverside 250
Post-Sale Update: After 22 bids on eBay, this bike sold for $2,828.28. Between ’59 and ’69, Montgomery Ward sold Benelli motorcycles under the ‘Wards Riverside’ name. If you bought one, you’d get the bike delivered in a crate, and then have to assemble it yourself. Here’s an pretty example of the 250cc model.
1957 Zundapp Super Sabre
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Super Sabre sold for $2,155. I’m surprisingly pleased with the refreshing honesty of this seller, who notes that he “purchased this motorcycle with the intent of resale for profit, and no other plans.” It’s now up for sale with no reserve, so he’s putting his money where his mouth is!
1978 Yamaha SR500
Every time I see one of the “new” Yamaha SR400s, it makes me long for seat time on the original. If you’re the same way, here’s your chance to snap up the 550th SR500 ever built.
Needs a Little Work – 1966 Matchless G15 MKII
Post Sale Update: After 4 bids on eBay, this Matchless sold for $4,050. Marketed as a bike with “slingshot acceleration”, the Matchless G15 MKII evolved from the poor effort that was the original G15. This bike featured a Norton Atlas engine and was arguably best when it was paired with a sidecar.
1964 Honda Dream 305
I’m not a big fan of the Dream’s styling, but here’s a one owner example that’s claimed to be in gorgeous shape.
$4,000 – 2.5 Suzuki GT750s
The Suzuki GT750, also known as the Water Buffalo, was the bike that put Suzuki on the map in the United States. Introduced as competition to the big bikes of the day, like the Honda CB750 and the Triumph Bonneville, this bike was basically a T500 with an extra cylinder and liquid cooling crafted on.
2007 Ducati GT1000
Here’s a rare black and cream example of the base SportClassic, a bike that was about 10 years ahead its time, despite the retro styling. The paint scheme is polarizing – are you a fan?