Post-Listing Update: This Janus did not meet reserve with 28 bids up to $2,376. The last time I featured a Janus Halycon, the manufacturer was only making a 50cc version. They’re now taking deposits on a 250cc variant (and another model with different styling), but if you want an example of this interesting styling right now, you’ll have to snag …
ESO Engined – 1965 Rickman Metisse
ESO was a Czech motorcycle manufacturer that is not well known because they ran from 1949 to 1964 and they only built racers. The company was founded by Jaroslav Simandl, a former motorcycle racer who started with JAP engines and then had his company start building their own in 1950.
Custom Build – The CONVERGO
A couple of months ago, I met Danish Zaheer Rizvi, who got a degree in Transportation Design. He’s an avid motorcyclist who came up with a concept for an “adjustable” motorcycle. You’ve seen adjustable handlebars, adjustable footpegs, and maybe some other components, but nothing like this! With a design, one bike can feel like multiple.
Basel Quest Kit – 2013 KTM 690 Enduro R
KTM Basel is a Swiss dealer of Team Orange that created a great piece of kit called the Quest. Designed to turn a KTM 690 Enduro R into the ultimate adventure tourer, it packs all kinds of features – including 8.5 gallons of gas – into a bike that looks like it should be racing Dakar.
Cafe Treatment – 1977 BMW R75/7
Roland’s Airhead Salvage is based out of East Madison, New Hampshire – based on the name you’d expect to be able to find all sorts of parts for air-cooled BMW’s. What you’ll also find are some nice examples of complete bikes, as well. Though he’s currently got a R100GS and a R90S available, today we’re going to focus on a …
Hontang – 1953 Mustang Stallion with Honda 500 Engine
Over the long life of the Mustang (which started as a homemade bike built by an employee of Gladden to commute on during World War II), there were several different models. By the time they hit Model 4, they had evolved a Standard line and a Special line, the latter of which was differentiated with performance upgrades. The Special eventually …
23 Miles – 2008 Aprilia Bol D’Or RSV1000R
The Aprilia Bol D’Or was a very limited production bike built to commemorate Aprilia’s participation in the Bol D’Or, a 24 hour endurance race that occurs every spring at Le Mans. Normally we get special edition to honor a victory as opposed to just participating, but I’ll take the excuse for a bike that combine performance, exclusivity, and a dash …
1957 BSA Spitfire Scrambler
Post Sale Update: This Spitfire Scrambler sold for the BIN of $8,500 on eBay. Of the many BSA A10 models, one of the rarest would have to be the Spitfire Scrambler (aka the Rocket Gold Star Scrambler). Here’s a beautiful example that was acquired by the seller as a ‘rusted rubble of parts’ and rebuilt to ‘a quality standard.’ The …
Video Intermission – Recycled Bike
A quick history lesson: During WWII, the British Royal Navy commissioned an aircraft carrier called the HMS Hercules, but the war ended before the ship was completed. India bought it and officially made it part of their Navy in 1961, renaming it the INS Vikrant in the process – it was India’s first aircraft carrier. In 2014, the ship was …
Ending Soon – 2006 BMW HP2 Enduro
I know I haven’t written a lot of these, but I’ve already noticed a trend. I’ll see a bike online, and think to myself, “for the right person, this could be a hell of an opportunity”. I think this bike is certainly one of those cases. Who is that person? I think it’s someone who’s always wanted to use one …
1964 Piaggio Ape
Introduced in 1948, the Piaggio Ape is a three wheeler designed for light commercial purposes. What you may not expect to hear is that the Ape is still in production! Ape translates to “bee” in Italian, and it was named to evoke the productiveness you think of with ‘busy as a bee’.
Auction Preview – Bonhams Paris 2016
Bonhams follows up their impressive Vegas offerings with an auction in Paris on February 4th. Come check out what’s on the block – it’s chock full of little Italian jewels…and one of the coolest custom Honda’s I’ve ever seen!
Max Lambky’s Vincent Streamliner
I’m sad to share this, but it looks like the Vincent Streamliner (also known as the Black Lightning) is now up for sale, though it might need a name change because the engines aren’t coming with it.
25th Anniversary – 2007 Honda VFR800
In 2007, Honda celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their venerable sport tourer with a special red/white/blue paint job. I always thought this paint scheme looked amazing, though the stock black wheels were a mistake – they should have been white! This example is in great shape and comes with some modifications that every sixth gen viffer should have.
1994 BMW R100R Mystic
Available only in 1994 and 1995 in the US, the Mystic was a factory custom based on the BMW R100R. The changes were entirely cosmetic, but they were not insignificant. Nowadays a ‘special edition’ just means new paint – the Mystic had several restyled parts.