Post Listing Update: Despite 29 bids on eBay, bidding did not meet reserve at just $1,054. There’s something about the tank of Suzuki’s Trail Cat that I simply adore – I think it’s the prettiest small dual-sport from the time period, and this example looks great adorned in Aspen Yellow. I also think it’s worth featuring as the seller has …
Turbo and Nitrous – 150cc Pit Bike
Sure hope you’ve got a guardian angel, because this little bike is ridiculous. The seller has apparently spent $7,500 on the build, which includes both a turbocharger and nitrous. It’s spent most of its life in storage so the engine has low hours on it. Time for you to snap this up and go racing on go-kart tracks. Find this …
Creating a Toaster Tank…Toaster
Alright, hear me out. I was talking to a dear friend whose first new motorcycle was a ’72 BMW R75/5, and for decades he’s apparently been amused by the idea of creating a toaster out of a BMW toaster tank. I now need to make this happen for him – but I don’t have the money to blow on buying …
Auction Preview – Mecum Monterey 2016
On August 18-20, Mecum is hosting two auctions – one of which is solely for motorcycles! 50 bikes will be up on the block – here’s a list of my 5 favorites. Or you can click here for all of the lots.
Not That Metisse – 2014 Metisse Triumph CR900
Obviously, hearing the Metisse name should make you think of the Rickman brothers and their legendary work with the off-road frame that could accept a variety of engines. Well, turns out there’s a German company named Team Metisse that’s also in the business of upgrading motorcycles, and they’ve created a cafe kit called the CR900 for previous-generation Bonnies and Thruxtons. …
2007 Walz Hardcore Chopper Pro Street
When I first saw this bike, I assumed it was built by someone in the US (probably Arizona). Turns out it’s actually the work of Marcus Walz, the man behind Walz Hardcore Cycles…based out of Hockenheim, Germany. Custom bike fans should be familiar with Marcus as he supposedly invented the “drag style” of motorcycle in the late 90s.
The First Yamaha – 1957 Yamaha YA1
Post-Listing Update: Bidding was better with the relist – it helps when the bike has already been imported – but it still wasn’t enough to meet reserve despite 36 bids up to $9,000. 7-14-16 Update: Over two years later, this Yamaha is back up for sale – but this time it’s been imported to the US, had some work done …
Brand New In the Netherlands – 1973 Yamaha FS1 Mini Enduro
Also known as the Fizzy, the FS1 was very successful in Europe as a small street-legal motorcycle – often a first vehicle for many riders. This example has avoided being the learner bike for anyone as it has just 2 kilometers from being pushed around in display over the last 40+ years.
Meet Cas Vanderwoude!
Editor’s Note: Some of you may have seen that I’m looking for some new contributors to join and share more sweet motorcycles for sale! You’ve probably seen Cas Vanderwoude in the comments dropping some knowledge (or being responsible for one of my favorite Guess That Bike posts with his Meguro Stamina), but now you get to see what he thinks …
Knucklehead Hillclimber – 1936 Harley-Davidson EL
Post Sale Update: This hillclimbing EL sold for $18,000 after 26 bids on eBay. 1936 was the first year of Harley’s famous Knucklehead engine. The EL model debuted with a MSRP of $380 and the new engine was good for 40 horsepower. There are of course other specifications worth sharing, but they won’t relate to this specific example – which …
1 of 371 – 1983 Triumph 140 TSX
Post Listing Update – This TSX was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. A last ditch effort from Triumph to boost sales of the Bonneville, the TSX was basically a T140 that had been restyled by Triumph’s American division. Just 371 were built, 200 of which were exported to the United States. About 1/3 of the production run …
1970 Benelli Volcano
Here’s something you shouldn’t be able to wrap your mind around: a minibike that’s capable of hitting 56 miles per hour! Who knows what the blokes employed by Benelli were thinking at the time, but they shoved a 180cc two-stroke engine into a minibike frame. At least one thing they did made sense – they called it the Volcano!
1979 KTM 420 MX
In their review of this bike, Motorcyclist called this “the Austrian Earthmover”. Whatever you call it, here’s a pleasant example that’s had a little bit of work done recently.
Ending Soon – 1930 Indian 101 Scout with No Reserve
The Indian Scout was introduced in 1920 – eight years later the 101 Scout was released and some motorcycles consider it to be the most iconic Indian motorcycle ever built thanks to a bevy of racing-inspired upgrades. Said upgrades included a stronger frame, improved suspension, a longer wheelbase, and a front brake. However as the Great Depression took hold, Indian …
Video Intermission – Red Bull Romaniacs 2016
The craziness that is Red Bull Romaniacs is back for its 13th year! Today is the fan favorite Prologue stage, where the riders go nuts in the city of Sibiu.