View Post

CSR? 1965 Matchless G80 Rhodesian Police

In England, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

When it comes to the Matchless brand, the CSR acronym is typically associated with the G12. But the seller of this G80 claims to have 1 of 20 G80 GSRs built as a special order for the Rhodesian High Commission for their police force. I can’t find any independent verification of this and the reader who submitted this to me …

View Post

Text Intermission – Used Motorcycle Guide

In Intermissions by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the 80s, new motorcycle sales were floundering due to a variety of factors – but this made it a buyer’s market for riders looking for used bikes. With that in mind, Bill Fowler started the Used Motorcycle Guide (UMG), a fascinating magazine I discovered while researching the Honda CD175 featured earlier this week.

View Post

2004 TM Black Dream

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

10-29 Update: This rarity is back up for sale – looks like the seller will either have to lower the price or get lucky and find the rare buyer who’s been specifically looking for a Black Dream. If you’re that buyer, find this bike for sale here on Craigslist for $9,500 in Torrance, California. 1-8-2015 Update: This TM Black Dream …

View Post

1 of 750 – 1970 Norton Mercury

In England, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Introduced in October 1968 (and produced only until February of 1970), the Norton Mercury was considered by some to be a ‘parts bin’ bike when it was released. History has been a bit kinder to it – only about 750 were ever sold and it was the last of the Dominator twins.

View Post

1989 Yamaha TZR250 3MA

In Japan, Sport by Abhi4 Comments

Loosely based on Yamaha’s TZ250 racer, the TZR was a 2 stroke sportbike built between ’86 and ’99 – in 1986 it was the first production 250cc motorcycle to lap Isle of Man’s TT course at over 100 miles per hour.

View Post

1963 Francis Barnett Falcon

In England, Standard by Abhi1 Comment

Founded in 1919 by Gordon Francis and Arthur Barnett, Francis-Barnett was an English motorcycle manufacturer that was eventually acquired by AMC in ’47. After WWII, the company focused on small two-strokes with Villiers-sourced engines. After ’57 they started using AMC’s powerplant. Francis-Barnett liked to name their bikes after birds, including Plover, Kestrel, Merlin, and more. One of those birds was …