For 2016, Triumph gave the Thruxton a well-deserved update with a 41% bump in power (up to 98), standard ABS, a 17 pound diet, and a styling update. New for 2016 was also the introduction of the “R” model, which lost a further 6 pounds, got a steeper rake, fully adjustable suspension (Showa fork/Ohlins shocks) and upgraded brakes (Brembo front, …
1967 Fuji Rabbit 90 S-202
Post Listing Update: This Rabbit did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $750 on eBay in Richmond, Michigan. Japan’s first scooter was built in 1946 by Fuji. Called the Rabbit S-1, it was released six months before Vespa’s first model. The Rabbit was the name given to Fuji’s scooter lineup, and it ranged from the top-of-the-line Superflow down …
Restored – 1970 Triumph Tiger TR6R
Post Listing Update: This Tiger did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $10,117.76 on eBay. 1970 was the last year before Triumph went with the Oil-In-Frame design, and the single-carb’d 650 twin was available in 4 options: TR6, TR6C (Competition), TR6P (Police), and this TR6R roadster.
Rare Project – 1978 Bultaco Streaker
Post Listing Update: The BIN was lowered to $6,000, but that still wasn’t enough to attract any action on this Bultaco Streaker. The Bultaco Streaker was a beautiful little cafe racer that was only produced for 3 years. Rumors suggest that just 28 were imported into the US before the EPA changed emissions regulations in 1979, effectively rendering this bike …
1,000 KM in Costa Rica With Elephant Moto – Day 2
View Post64 Miles – 1974 Honda Monkey Z50J
Post Sale Update: This Monkey sold for $3,350 after 16 bids on eBay. I was on a big Monkey kick after I got to try the new one, and I’m still always on the lookout for interesting examples. This ’74 model is a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) example and it’s got just 102 kilometers on the odometer (64 miles).
Factory AMA Superbike – 2012 Pegram Racing BMW S1000RR
Post Listing Update: New listing, but same result. This bike did not get any interest at the BIN of $15,000. 4-20-2019 Update: Two years later, the same seller has put this bike back up with a $6k discount. You can now find it for sale still in Palm Coast, Florida with a BIN of $15,000 here on eBay. According to …
Project with Race History – 1972 Harley-Davidson XR750
Post Sale Update: This XR750 sold for $18,000 after 8 bids on eBay. Offered with no reserve, this XR750 was raced throughout the 70s and 80s by Mike Boyes, who then sold it to Yoshi of Garage Company. It was then sold to Mike Cheiky, then to New York City Motorcycles, and now it’s with someone in Venice, California who’s …
First Ride Review – 2019 Husqvarna Svartpilen 701
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Portugal on behalf of Cycle News to review the new Husqvarna 701 Svartpilen. It’s the Swedish company’s newest offering on their 701 platform that also includes the Supermoto, Enduro, and Vitpilen. This is my favorite of the foursome as an overall streetbike, but $11,999 is a lot of money for a thumper …
1928 BMW R52
Designed to be a tourer, the BMW R52 featured a 486cc boxer twin that generated 12 horsepower. The three-speed transmission had just been redesigned for this model, during a time frame when BMW was constantly making changes. Due to this, BMW switched to pressed-steel frames by the end of 1929, meaning the rare R52 was produced for just two years.
1959 Victoria Avanti
Mecum calls the Victoria Avanti the little sister to the Tin Banana. Victoria’s advertising called it “the ideal light weight motorcycle”. Whatever you call it, the Avanti is a distinctive 50cc moped with some exquisite details.
In Australia – 1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 Custom
Post Listing Update: This custom Guzzi did not get any interest at the BIN of $20,000. Built by Max’s Moto Works of southeastern Australia, this custom Guzzi started as a 850 T3. Thanks to custom bodywork and a long list of rebuilt mechanicals, it’s now an interesting one-off cafe racer.
Original Owner – 1975 Triumph Trident T160
The Trident T160 is one of motorcycling’s great “what ifs”. Its T150 predecessor debuted as a 1969 model to lots of excitement from Triumph fans who wanted to see how the British firm would fight back against Honda’s CB750. It did not go well. Classic British Motorcycles notes that the Trident was doomed by “the combination of bad timing (it …
1996 Aprilia Moto 6.5
Phillipe Starck is a well-known French product designer and motorcycle enthusiast. In the mid 90’s, he combined those two facets to design the Aprilia Moto 6.5, an in-town runabout that oozes style – but is it the kind of style you like? They are rare finds as they were never imported to the US, which normally translates to high asking …
16 Restored T120s – 1962-1970 Triumph Bonnevilles
Post Listing Update: This collection of Bonnies did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $150,300 on eBay. A seller in the Bay Area is offering up a collection of “99+ point condition” restored Bonnevilles that have zero miles since the work was performed. It’s a staggering set of Triumphs in impressive shape – but how many people are …