1999 was the first year of the 996, and it was offered in three versions – the base, the S, and the SPS. The main differentiators between the S and the base model were a 11 horsepower bump to 123, an Ohlins shock, and 5-spoke lightweight Marchesini wheels.
1936 BMW R4
Post Listing Update: This R4 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. As the 30s rolled around and Depression hit, BMW saw the need for a diminutive single-cylinder bike to offer alongside its twins. The sub 200cc R2 sold quite well, but the BMW R4 was an intermediate bike between the budget single and the bigger bikes. The …
Guest History – Morbidelli V8 – Eight Cylinder Exotica
View PostCustom Scooter – Bomb Bike
Someone in New Zealand has built a one-off that he calls the Bomb Bike. Hopefully it’s obvious why…
Video Intermission – Toni Bou Stays At Home
One advantage of a trials bike – you can still practice even if you’re forced to stay at home during a quarantine!
2 Weeks in the Northeast – Day 5
Day 5 – June 26th, 2019 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Erie, Pennsylvania: ~150 miles Vy and I witness an epic battle between geese and carp over bread.
February 2020 Result Highlights
Last month we saw some great bikes – but did they sell? And if so, for how much?
Video Intermission – Making a Ural with a 3D Pen
Today I learned that there are 3D pens. I’m glad I did, because people are able to make some interesting things with them – such as a mini model of a Ural!
1910s Wood Motorcycle
When Tim Graber of Classic Motorcycle Consignments sent this over to me, he said “I got something you have never seen, betchya!” He was right!
No Reserve – 1973 Norton Commando 850
Post Listing Update: Initially, this Commando sold for $11,100 after 14 bids on eBay, however it was relisted due to a non-paying bidder. The seller then pulled this bike off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Back on the market after some time in a climate-controlled private collection, this Norton Commando looks to be well-preserved.
Rare Project – 1963 VW-Powered Custom
Post Sale Update: This custom sold for $5,000 on eBay in Inverness, Florida. “It seems that if you want something new and different these days, the easiest way to get it is to build it yourself.” Sounds like something you’d hear at your local bike night today, right? But in this case, it’s the opening line from an article in …
2012 Suter/BMW MotoGP CRT
Two straight weeks of amazing Suters on the auction site – but this one’s got some MotoGP history! It was one of the Claiming Rule Team (CRT) bikes in the 2012 season, and the approximate cost when new was $350k. It’s offered almost exactly as last raced at the Valencia round of the 2012 MotoGP season.
Batcycle Replica – 1972 Yamaha DS7 250 with Sidecar
Post Listing Update: This Batcycle tribute did not get any interest at the BIN of $24,500 on eBay. As a one-year-only bike, the Yamaha DS7 is already somewhat rare to find. But this one stands out as it’s been customized to look like the Batcycle from the 1966 Batman film starring Adam West and Burt Ward.
No Reserve – 1994 Suzuki RGV250 Lucky Strike
Post Sale Update: This RGV sold for $9,690 after 36 bids on eBay in Springville, Utah. 30 years ago, Suzuki built a 250 two-stroke race-replica of its Gamma V-2 racer – good for over 50 horsepower in the narrow power-band. The Suzuki RGV250 was born, and it was impressive.As MCN puts it, “back in the day 250cc race replicas were …
1951 Sunbeam S7 Deluxe
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 …