Post Sale Update: This Alpina/Metralla Frankenstein sold for the great price of $2,550 after 13 bids. At first glance, you might have thought that this was a Metralla – but a closer inspection would leave you with some questions. Turns out that this bike started as a Alpina project that the seller bought in pieces, and in his/her words: “the …
Did Jay Leno’s Garage Send You Here?
Hello there, distinguished motorcycle enthusiast! Are you here because Jay Leno told you to check Bike-urious out during his feature of the Ducati HyperScrambler from Untitled Motorcycles? Well, here’s a quick primer of what you can expect.
Video Intermission – Yours Truly on Jay Leno’s Garage
View PostProduction Racer Tribute – 1975 Norton Commando MkIII 850
Affectionately known as the Yellow Peril, the Norton Commando Production Racer was a street-legal factory racer available to privateer racers. The cost was fairly staggering – at a time when a Austin Mini would cost you $1,500, you’d need another $400 to get your hands on a Production Racer. Because of this, replicas were not uncommon. Here’s a recent build …
2007 Sherco 5.1i Enduro
Want a high-quality enduro but think Gas Gas or Husaberg are just too well known? Maybe Sherco is the company for you. Named after a hybrid of Bultaco and Sherpa, Sherco was founded in Spain in 1998. Nowadays they also have a production facility in France, and across both countries they build trials, supermoto, and enduro bikes. Here’s an example …
49 Miles – 1981 Benelli Sei 900
Benelli’s Sei was the first production six-cylinder motorcycle when it was introduced as a 750. In ’78 it got a redesign which included a displacement bump up to 900cc. Though the press enjoyed the motorcycle, sales were modest because the MSRP was healthy – by 1983 it was $5,406.
Guess That Bike Revealed – Not Italian Edition
This was a tough one. It took a hint, but the first reader on the right track was Dnaj, who pointed out that it was a Zanella Ceccato. That’s just about it – it’s a 1965 Zanella Sport 100.
Video Intermission – Maicomobil sells at Mecum Chicago
If you saw my preview of the Mecum auction going on right now in Chicago, you may remember that one of my favorite vehicles up for bidding was the 1952 Maicomobil restored by Blue Moon Cycles. Contributor Joe N was at the event and captured the bidding – can you guess what it went for?
Street Legal with 12 Miles – 2009 Aprilia RS125
Finding a plated modern RS125 is hard enough in the United States, but this example stands out even further thanks to the fact that it has just 12 miles. It does beg the question – what would you do with a bike like this? It’s best on a track but it’ll lose value with every miles. Are these collectible enough …
No Reserve – 1993 BMW K1
Post Sale Update: After 60 bids on eBay, this K1 sold for $6,099. The BMW K1 was very impressive in many ways – especially the aerodynamic coefficient. With that said, lots of riders didn’t care for the styling or the the paint schemes. This example avoids the paint scheme issue because just 1 year into his/her ownership, the original owner …
KTM Colors – 1972 Honda CL450 Cafe Racer
Post Listing Update: After 24 bids on eBay, Olivia did not meet reserve at $6,800. It relisted but bidding petered out at $6,750. Named Olivia, this CL450 custom was built by Hot Sake Cycles. The goal seems to have been to save weight, which explains the extensive use of carbon fiber. The seller says that all of the body parts …
Picture Intermission – Mecum Chicago
Reader Dean J was at the Mecum Chicago auction yesterday and he was kind enough to share some photos for those of you that weren’t able to make it out. Here’s a few of my favorites:
1 of 805 – 1995 Triumph Daytona Super III
Triumph’s Super III was a limited edition of the under-appreciated Daytona 900. Featuring engine tuning by Cosworth, they sold just 805 worldwide, 179 of which made it to the United States.
Dave Moss Racer – Honda VFR428
Just a couple of days ago, I brought up Dave Moss as he’s coming to Beach Moto for some suspension tuning. Looks like we’re going back to him today because he’s selling one of his championship winning race bikes.
Stock or Modified? Yamaha RD350s
This seller’s got two examples of Yamaha RD350s – one’s a cafe custom and the other is stock. Which do you prefer?