You guys and gals have seen my ownership experience with a Bimota Tesi 3D Final Edition – here’s a rare chance to snag one for yourself! Tesi is Italian for “thesis”, and the name reflects that this bike started as a thesis project by Pierluigi Marconi exploring hub-center steering for his mechanical engineering degree.
Know a Motorcycle Photographer in/near New York City?
Long story short: I need someone to take photos of several bikes in a collection in Brooklyn but I can’t get out there myself any time soon. Do any of you fine folks know someone who could help?
1971 Moto Guzzi Ercole
The Moto Guzzi Ercole (Italian for Hercules) is a fantastic vintage three-wheeler typically used as a shop/farm runabout. Able to carry nearly a ton, this bike truly earned the nickname. On either side of the rider there are optional fold out seats, upping capacity to 3 total individuals, and the bed works hydraulically.
No Reserve – 1965 Cushman Super Silver Eagle
In the wake of the Second World War, the United States was experiencing a transportation boom, and Cushman Motor Works was eager to capitalize on the trend. Come 1949, the Nebraska-based manufacturer dressed up one of its 50cc scooters to resemble popular baggers like the Harley-Davidson Big Twin and Indian Chief. Dubbed the “Eagle,” the little scooter proved an instant …
Restomod – 1974 Honda Z50
I’ve been on quite the little bike kick since my time at Small Bore Fest and the Honda Grom Prix, so here’s a Z50 that’s been wildly modified.
Restored – 1976 Yamaha XT500
Yamaha’s XT500 was an instant sales success and it led to a full series of XT bikes. Thanks to the big thumper of an engine and the ample ground clearance, it was good for just about anything you could throw at it. This enduro bike was produced for 15 years, eventually leading to an entire range of “XT” bikes of …
Agricultural – 1974 Yamaha AG175
Built for Australia and New Zealand, the AG175 was Yamaha’s creation for the agricultural market – specifically designed for the needs of people like ranch hands.
Whitehouse Kit – 2014 Honda CB1100
In 2014, Honda updated the CB1100 with a new dash and a six-speed transmission. The styling remained the same – bodywork that was designed to evoke the classic lines of the CB750. But a company in Japan called Whitehouse enabled owners to make their bikes look even more like the CB750 with a bodywork kit that included the tank, fenders, …
1992 Goodman HDS 1200
In the earlier 90s, a gentleman named Simon Goodman (the grandson of the founder of Velocette) out of Great Britain built 17 examples of what he called the HDS 1200: a hybrid that combined a Norton Featherbed-style frame with a Sporster 1200 motor.
1995 Triumph Daytona Super III
In the early 1990s, famed engine experts Cosworth assisted Triumph in their quest to build a faster version of the Daytona 900. It was a rare bird, as just 805 examples of the “Super III” were sold, 179 of which made it to the United States.
Trials Bike – 1954 Matchless G80CS
The CS (Competition Suspension) was the top of the line G80 model (except for the super-rare Typhoon G80TCS). Matchless’ marketing suggested that all you had to do to race was remove the lights – so with this bike you’ve already got the first step taken care of.
1980 Kawasaki Z1-R
The Kawasaki Z1R was the brainchild of Wayne Moulton, known as the “Father of the Japanese Cruiser.” His belief was that a solid motorcycle could be moderately tweaked to form four versions, one of which is a sport-tourer. So he took the KZ1000 and turned it into this! The first year of production was 1978, and all the bikes were …
1991 Bimota YB10 Dieci
Bimota’s 10th model with a Yamaha engine, the appropriately-named Dieci was built between 1991 and 1994 with just 224 examples leaving the factory. An even smaller portion were equipped with a passenger seat and pegs. Bimota scooped up the engine from a FZR1000 and then tweaked it to yield nearly 150 horsepower.
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans
Back in 2001, Moto Guzzi introduced the V11 LeMans as a spiritual successor to its iconic 850 racer. The bike featured the marque’s tried-and-true transverse 1100cc V-Twin – per MCN, “If you want an old-school Italian heavyweight with 21st century components, finish and style, look no further than the Moto Guzzi V11.” Here’s an interesting one that comes with all …
Bumblebee in Canada – 1989 BMW R100GS
The black and yellow livery of the R100GS earned it the affectionate name of “bumblebee,” and today we’ve got a lovely Euro-spec example (kick starter and larger carbs) up north with lots of upgrades and extras.