While most scooters nowadays are “twist and go” affairs with automatic transmission, the Vespa PX model line from 1977-2017 with two simple constants: a 2-stroke motor and 4-speed manual transmission with a grip shift. The PX150 was reborn in 1998 with a 10 year production run, and in 2005 Vespa made a few special editions by changing up paint colors. …
1966 Bridgestone Hurricane
Post Sale Update: this Hurricane sold for $3,300 after 8 bids on eBay One of the many high quality (and somewhat pricey) small displacement bikes from a company we now only associate with tires, the Bridgestone Hurricane 175 was a scrambler variant of their baby sportbike “Dual Twin”.
119 Miles – 1971 Rockford Taka 100
Following up on the Bridgestone Hurricane also available today, it seems appropriate to mention Rockford Motors. They were the American importer for Bridgestone, but when the Japanese firm stopped selling bikes in 1971, Rockford had a bit of an issue. They made a deal with Bridgestone to take over manufacturing rights for the 3 smallest bikes – two 60cc models …
1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: This R100RS did not meet reserve despite 16 bids up to $7,200 on eBay. Bikes built in the first model year of BMW’s R100RS were also known as the “RS77”, and they’re worth distinguishing due to year-specific features like silver/blue paint, blue anodized ATE calipers, and blue pinstriping.
Street Legal – 1967 Rickman Metisse
In 2013, this Metisse “underwent modifications to adapt a period appropriate headlamp and taillamp/stop lamp and horn set up to make it street legal”. Would you ever put it on pavement?
No Reserve – 1976 Honda MR175
Post Sale Update: This MR175 sold for $1,488 after 64 bids on eBay. Honda released the MR175 in 1975 with an atypical “Glare Green” paint job. The next year, they went back to the red that we’ve all come to expect from the company. The motor was a 171cc 2-stroke single and it was paired with a 5-speed transmission. Dry …
2003 Cannondale E440
The swansong of the Cannondale motorcycles (a short-lived subsidiary of the American bicycle company) was the E440, an enduro twin of the X440 motocrosser. It was a disaster, the culmination of an $80 million investment that bankrupted the motorcycle division.
2011 KTM 990 Adventure Dakar Edition
In the upcoming issue of Motorcyclist magazine, I’ll feature a few bikes that are “Performance Steals” for the Smart Money column. One of them is the KTM 990 Adventure, which was the most off-road capable big bike of its time. In 2011, KTM offered a “Dakar Edition” which yielded slightly more peak horsepower thanks to a 500-rpm higher rev limit, …
Genuine – 1969 Dunstall Norton Commando 750
Post Listing Update: This Commando did not get any interest at the BIN of $17,999. 12-21-2018 Update: Another two years later and this Dunstall is up for sale again. The last time it was offered on eBay, there was 48 bids up to $34,000 but the bike did not meet reserve! Now the seller’s willing to take a lot less…find …
Unexpected – 1975 BMW Chopper with R69S Frame
Post Listing Update: This custom BMW did not meet reserve with 20 bids up to $3,338 on eBay. The “R69S Frame” part of the title might upset you, but this is an interesting custom built with a BMW frame/motor (the seller doesn’t identify the powerplant), a Harley-Davidson Springer front fork, and HD Bobtail rear fender.
1958 Ariel Cyclone
Post Listing Update: This Cyclone was relisted but bidding did not get above $8,880 with 16 bids on eBay. A couple of years ago, I featured Bike-urious reader Dan Dutra’s Ariel Cyclone in a video when he brought it out to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. Well, after four years as a caretaker, Dan’s letting this Cyclone go so he can …
1991 Suzuki GSX-R1100
Post Listing Update: This Gixxer did not meet reserve despite 36 bids up to $8,900 on eBay. Introduced in 1986, the Suzuki GSX-R 1100 was a speed demon’s dream thanks to 137 horsepower and a wet weight of 434 pounds. Even better, it was released right after the United States lowered the import tax on bikes above 700ccs to 24.4 …
Rare in the US – 1983 Honda CX650ED
In 1983, Honda updated the CX500 platform with a big bump in displacement. The resulting CX650 was offered in three models, two of which the US received. Americans got the CX650C Custom and the CX650T Turbo. The third model was the ED, also known as the Eurosport. While you missed out on the lag and extra power of a turbo, …
All The 80s Turbos – 5 Bike Collection
View PostGinger McCabe Build – 1977 Yamaha XS400 Custom
Ginger McCabe of New Church Moto is a popular name to call when someone needs a new seat made for a motorcycle. Her work has become parts of hundreds of custom builds all over the country, so it stands to reason that she’d have plenty of inspiration for her own two-wheeled creation. Here’s what she created with a Yamaha XS400. …