Much to my chagrin, I had to stay in Los Angeles last weekend while See See Motorcycles was hosting The ONE Show. Thankfully, Union Garage sent over Ryan Handt to take a look, and he put together a list of 21 stars.
Ending Soon – 2007 BMW R1200S
When it was released, the R1200S was BMW’s sportiest-ever take on the boxer engine. Whereas the R11S was almost a 50/50 balance of sport and touring, the R12S was marketed much more towards the former with slogans like “born in heaven, raised in hell”. When it was first announced, BMW didn’t even offer factory luggage as an option, though that …
Unexpected Trike -1972 Honda Mini Trail 50
Post-Listing Update: This Mini Trail Trike did not meet reserve with bidding up to $5,200 after 46 bids. For the finale of this season of Fast n Loud (which chronicles the story of Gas Monkey Garage, three employees at the shop were given a bike and $1,000 to fix it up for an internal bike build off for charity. The …
1986 Bimota DB1 Custom Track Bike
Post Listing Update: Bidding stalled at $20,000 and this Bimota did not meet reserve. 2-19-16 Update: 18 months later, this cool racer is back up for sale. Find it with an unmet opening bid of $16,000 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada here on eBay. I’ve featured a stock Bimota DB1 before, but today’s example is on the opposite end of the …
600cc – 1966 BMW R50/2
Here’s a ‘well-sorted rider’ example of BMW’s R50/2 – but this one’s been rebuilt to displace 600ccs.
1972 Husqvarna 400CR Bengt Åberg Replica
If you’re like me, then a.) I’m sorry, you’ve got a ton of problems, and b.) you’d rather enjoy a ‘rider’ than a show queen because then you’re not worried about getting dirty.
In Italy – 1950 GIMA Type 74
2-19-16 Update: This GIMA is back up for sale with an unmet opening bid of $5,000 here on eBay. A French manufacturer, Groupement Industriel Métallurgique Automobile (GIMA) produced small displacement motrcycles between 1947 and 1956, though in 2005, a businessman named Hilario Gonzalez revealed a prototype of a rebirth of the brand.
Cleanest Barn Find Ever – 1969 Suzuki TC120
The seller of this bike says it’s a barn find – well, the seller sure spent some time cleaning up the great lines of this simple two-stroke dual-sport, also known as the Trail Cat.
Start a Vintage Off-Road Collection!
Post-Listing Update: Unfortunately, this listing was quickly flagged for removal. Someone in Oregon is letting go of over 20 motorcycles, most of which are vintage off-roaders. Suzukis and Yamahas and Bultacos, oh my!
1981 Honda CB750F with Sputnik Sidecar
2-18-16 Update: Almost a year and a half later, this interesting hack is back up for sale. Now it’s in Playa del Rey with the same asking price ($4,500) here on Craigslist. Originally built by Mike Braverman of Dual Sport Sidecars out of Sylmar, CA, this is a Honda CB750F with Sputnik Sidecar that the seller says will be the …
Restored – 1970 Suzuki T350 Rebel
Before the name Rebel became synonymous with a small Honda cruiser, it was bestowed upon the middleweight of Suzuki’s two-stroke T series. The T350 was an evolution of the excellent 250 Hustler – it had the same frame and brakes – though in this case the displacement was actually just 315cc. The parallel twin engine put out 39 horsepower and …
1958 Gilera 150 Sport
I’ve always thought Gilera’s 150 Sport was one of the prettiest motorcycles to come out of Italy at the time, so I’m excited to share this restored example (though it’s sat for a little bit). Plus, more bikes should have pedestrian slicers.
Needs Work – 1969 Indian Boy Racer
Back in the days when Floyd Clymer owned the Indian name, he dabbled with a few small motorcycles like the Papoose, MM-5 minibike or the MT series of dirtbikes. One of the more interesting offerings from Indian at the time was the Boy Racer, a “scaled down ultra-lightweight for the budding enthusiast in your family“, aimed at getting 6 to …
In Canada – 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post Listing Update: This XN85 only got up to $2,510 after 18 bids on eBay, where it understandably did not meet reserve. The rarest of all Japanese production turbo bikes, the XN85 Turbo had just 1,183 example produced, and 300 were imported to the US. Here’s a non-US model currently residing in Canada which is ready for a new owner.
Rare Italian – 1955 Monviso 150 Sport
Post Listing Update: This Monviso did not meet reserve after 26 bids up to $2,324. Monviso is a barely-known Italian manufacturer that produced bikes between 1951-1956, utilizing Sachs engines. Here’s a 147cc (150) Sport, which definitely shows its 60 years of age, but I adore it. It’s been quite a challenge to find details on Monviso – have you ever …