The Campus was one of several Sears-branded two-wheelers that were built by Puch for the American market. The moped featured a 2.6 horsepower 49cc engine, and the whole package weighed about 115 pounds ready to ride.
Picture Intermission – The Tanks of Mecum
It’s going to take me some time to go through my notes to recap my weekend at Mecum, so I’ll leave you with a picture intermission as an appetizer. As I walked through the rows of bikes, I started to focus on some of my favorite gas tanks. Here’s a few photos for you to peruse:
388/400 – 2002 Ducati 998S Troy Bayliss Replica
Post Listing Update: This Bayliss rep did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $12,100 on eBay. In 2002, Ducati released two race replicas based on the 998S – one of Ben Bostrom’s bike, and one of Troy Bayliss’. 400 examples were built of the latter, which commemorated Troy’s 2001 WSBK championship.
No Reserve – 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000 MkII
Post Sale Update: This KZ sold for $17,750 after 26 bids on eBay. An evolution of the KAZ900, the KZ1000 was the fastest production bike when it was released in 1976 (as a ’77 model) thanks to its 83 horsepower, 1,015cc inline four motor. The bike might be most famous for the police variant, which gained popularity on the show …
Video Intermission – The ’90s Were Cooler, 2-Strokes and Frosted Tips
Here’s a fun little video about why the 90s were better when it came to MX bikes. Let Red Bull transport you back in time to when kidney belts, helmet fins, and two-stroke exhausts were all the rage.
1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago 920
In 1983, Yamaha offered a “Midnight Virago” that featured a black paint scheme with gold accents. They also offered a rare color-matched factory touring package with a fairing, saddlebags, and trunk for even more Midnight goodness – though this example seems to only have the fairing as well as a giant aftermarket backrest for the passenger.
Who’s Going to Vegas This Weekend?
Two of the world’s largest motorcycle auctions are kicking off this week in Las Vegas – are you going to be there?
First Ride – 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3
View Post2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special vs 2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
View Post1990 Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy
Post Sale Update: This GB500 sold for $5,558 after 23 bids on eBay. Honda’s GB500 was an homage to classic British singles but there was a twist – it was reliable! The average American rider shopping for a Japanese bike at the time was more interested in the bigger supersport replicas, but the Tourist Trophy has become a cult classic.
Monoshocked Mini Motocrosser – 1974 DG Framed Honda XR75
First introduced in ‘73, Honda’s XR75 was a pint-sized version of its then all-new off-roader lineup. Despite being sized for youngsters, the XR was a venerable beast of a machine. Even though its stock form was nothing to scoff at, the aftermarket sector quickly stepped in to offer an increasingly vast array of upgraded bits for the little 75.
Open To Pre-Order – 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT
View PostProject With A Story – 1974 Ducati 750 Sport
Post Sale Update: This 750 Sport sold for $40,100 after 60 bids on eBay. This bike sat for over three decades because the original owner’s wife said “it’s me or the bike”. He tried to get the best of both worlds by putting it in storage and pretending he sold it.
Yamaha FZR Collection
Someone in Phoenix is selling off an interesting collection of first generation FZRs – 2 FZR400’s, a FZR600, FZR1000, and even 2 examples of the rare homologation FZR750RU specials.
Rare in the US – 2000 Honda CB1300
Post Listing Update: This CB1300 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Never officially sold in the US, the Honda CB1300 (also known as the “Super Four”) was the successor to the CB1000 “Big One”. One of the available liveries, as shown here, was a bit of a Freddie Spencer tribute.