10-13-2017 Update: Almost a year later (again), this bike is back up for sale with another discount. You can now find it with a BIN of $15,900 or best offer here on eBay. 12-8-2016 Update: Over a year later, this bike is back up for sale for $20,000 or best offer here on eBay. 3-24 Update: Reader Jim R notes …
250 Miles – 1974 Suzuki TS100
Post Sale Update: After 24 bids on eBay, this TS100 sold for $1,225 to reader Chris C! A street scrambler variant of the TC100, the TS100 Blazer was introduced in 1973 and it was relatively successful in the United States. This example has less than 250 miles as the original owner bought it for his daughter with one rule – …
2006 Ducati 999R Xerox
Built between 2003-2006, the Ducati 999 (and the regular 999 it was based on) was initially met with mixed reviews with regards to the styling. But no one can deny the success that Ducati had in WSBK and AMA racing with the top-of-the-line 999R. To comply with AMA homologation rules, the States got 300 examples of the most powerful production …
2WD – 1971 Pak-Jak 3 Wheel Scooter
Post Sale Update: After 13 bids on eBay, this Pak-Jak sold for $2,949. Built by the Right Way Manufacturing Corporation of Owen, Wisconsin, the Pak-Jak was an in-line 3 wheel trail bike that was advertised as an all-terrain climber of hills. From what I’ve been able to find online, approximately 125 examples were built before the company went bankrupt. Here’s …
Buy an Entire Brand – Excelsior-Henderson
View Post1982 Moto Guzzi V50 Monza
Post Listing Update: Despite 21 bids on eBay up to $3,150, this Monza did not meet reserve. When Moto Guzzi first released the V50 in the late 70s, they were met with a tepid response from an American market that preferred bigger bikes and expected smaller bikes to be cheaper. To help the model stand out, Guzzi released a sportier …
Original Paint – 1913 Flying Merkel
Post Listing Update: Despite a hefty 128 bids up to $89,999, this Flying Merkel did not meet reserve. Built between 1911 and 1915, the Flying Merkel is one of the most iconic American motorcycles of all time. The brand actually started back in 1902 as a bicycle builder, but a year later the founder (Joseph Merkel) started slapping single-cylinder motors …
Video Intermission – Flying Superbike!
Last year, reader Gary K and his wife hosted Vy and I for a few days so we could check out the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. Today, he just sent me this photo from this year’s show of what is now my favorite hot air balloon of all time. After a little research I discovered that this was originally built …
1972 Munch Mammoth TTS 1200
Post Listing Update: Bidding got up to $69,600 bud the seller pulled this Mammoth off of eBay due to “an error in the listing.” Considered by some to be the world’s first superbike, the Munch Mammoth (Mammut) was revealed to the world four years before Honda opened some eyes with the CB750. It was aptly named, with a 996cc four-cylinder …
Custom Paint – 1985 Cagiva Alazzurra 650
Post Listing Update: This Cagiva was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. In the early 80s, Cagiva was producing some quality small-displacement bikes but they needed some help cracking into the big bike market. They bought Ducati in 1985, used the design for the Pantah, and created the Alazzurra. If you don’t mind a bike that’s been repainted, …
Guess That Bike Revealed – Classic Italian Engine Edition
10/8 Update: Sorry for the delay – Alex Tyrol was the first to identify that this is indeed a Sertum. Here’s a few photos to help you determine which model it is – but I’m still in shock about BeezaGeeza’s photo, which looks like it was taken in almost the same place at a different time… 10/4 Update: Looks like …
Needs Some Work – 1971 Speedway Silver Shadow
Post Listing Update: This Silver Shadow did not get any interest at the opening ask of $3,000. For many minibike collectors, the Silver Shadow is as good as it gets. Speedway called it the world’s fastest mini-cycle thanks to a 12.5 horsepower Sachs 2-stroke motor and a weight of just 147 pounds. It’s also incredibly rare – I’ve seen estimates …
Diesel Power – 2009 Kawasaki M1030M1
Post Listing Update: The seller lowered the asking price to $14,000 from the original $30k but that still wasn’t enough to attract any attention. KLR fans, take a close look at that motor. If it looks different than what you’re used to, it’s because this is a diesel-powered Kawasaki built by Hayes Diversified Technologies for the US Marine Corps. Hayes …
Track ‘n’ Trail – 1975 Can-Am TnT 175
The Can-Am TNT series was one of many dirt-oriented bikes produced during the short but very sweet lifespan of Can-Am. An acronym for Track ‘n’ Trail, the TNT bikes shared the same chassis and engine as the MX bikes, but utilized lower compression for easy riding traits on trails.
2003 CCM 604 Supermoto
Based out of the UK, Clews Competition Motorcycles is a niche manufacturer that owes its start to the failure of BSA’s racing division – Alan Clews was looking to build a better motocross bike and he snapped up anything he could from BSA after they shut down the competition department. A tumultuous history ensued – Clews sold the company in …