11-04 Update: Reader “Rico Birdo” has let me know that this Torpedo Works 150 is back up for sale, this time with a more reasonable BIN: $5,989. It sill ain’t cheap, but find it for sale here on eBay. Here’s a bike from a manufacturer I’ve never heard before – Torpedo-Werke AG. This bike has the upgraded 175cc engine which …
Video Intermission – Red Bull City Trial
Watching an expert on a trials bike is great fun – so watching two experts on trials bikes going head to head on weird objects in a city street has to be…doubly great? Enjoy:
1973 Kawasaki H1 Street Tracker
18 months ago, this bike was built with a Champion Flat-tracker frame originally designed for a Yamaha DT1. The builder decided to have some fun and utilize a 500cc two-stroker from the Kawasaki H1. Modifications to the frame were limited to lower engine mounting points. Other goodies include Weiss triple trees, Vapor tach/speedo, HammerHead rea shocks, Betor forks, Takasago rims, …
2013 Triumph Thruxton 900 Custom
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted twice, this Thruxton sold for a best offer less than $9,888. I’ve gotta say, the Thruxton looks good in Phantom Black with Gold Stripes. Here’s a custom version (VIN: SMT920K19DT574934) that has just 408 miles and plenty of upgrades, including Progressive Suspension rear shocks, NH stabilizer, BC airbox, a skid plate, and lots of cosmetic …
The Other Triumph – 1953 Triumph TWN Cornet
OK, this is going to need a little bit of an explanation, because most people think Triumph is an English motorcycle company. They’d be right, but they might not realize that the company was started as a bicycle manufacturer by a German named Siegfried Bettman in 1886. A decade later, Bettman created another bicycle company in his hometown of Nuremberg …
1961 BSA Catalina Scrambler
In the 1956 Catalina Grand Prix, nearly 1,000 riders came together to fight it out and earn the title of champion. The guy who succeeded was Chuck Minert, who won on a BSA Gold Star. BSA’s West Coast distributor asked for a replica of the winning bike, and the result was the BSA Catalina Scrambler.
Video Intermission – Why Stop to Change a Tire?
The gentlemen over at Team Lothar Schauer went on a German TV show called Wetten, daas (roughly translates to Wanna Bet?). The motorcyclists bet that they could change the front wheel of a motorcycle while on the move, resulting this nifty video:
1972 Honda CB100 + CB350 + CB750
I was walking to dinner last night (yes, people sometimes walk in LA) when I encountered this little CB100 – I thought the paint job was fantastic.
39 Miles – 1980 Italjet 350 Casual
Founded in 1959, Italjet is best known for small displacement bikes like the Vampiro. They also produced some bigger bikes, such as the Grifon 650 (using a Triumph engine), and this Italjet Casual.
Two Wheel Drive – 2012 Christini 450DS
The Christini 450DS has a special mechanical system that enables both wheels to be driven by the engine, with a series of chains and shafts that power the front wheel in addition to the rear. Check out the technological details here on the Christini website.
The Affordable Exotic – 2007 Fischer MRX
Post-Listing Update: This Fischer was relisted multiple times on eBay at $3,900 with no action, and it looks like it’s now off the market. 11-2 Update: Reader John K. notes that this bike is back up on the block, apparently the first sale did not go through. Find it in Minneapolis with an opening bid of $3,900 here on eBay. …
Original Owner – 1974 Ducati Super Sport Green Frame
Post-Listing Update: Within a day, this Super Sport was pulled off of Craigslist. I wonder if it sold or if the seller is trying another method to get the word out… There are plenty of motorcyclists out there who believe it doesn’t get better than this – the original Ducati Super Sport. Here’s the first opportunity I’ve had to feature …
Video Intermission – Moto Gymkhana
This post is for those of you that appreciate the control required to handle a motorcycle at very slow speeds. Here’s a brief introduction to the world of Moto Gymkhana, a time trial that can only be won by riders who have excellent slow speed riding ability. A brief introduction to the sport: What a Moto Gymkhana course is like: …
1973 Kawasaki H2 750
Affectionately known as the Widowmaker, the Kawasaki H2 750 might be the best-known motorcycle ever built by Kawi. In fact, the company is bringing the name back the upcoming Ninja H2 superbike. Here’s a beautiful original example (VIN: H2F-25970) with the right amount of wear. This bike has 5,700 miles and is being offered by the 2nd owner- the 1st …
Ready for the Salt Flats – 1955 Triumph Pre-Unit Custom
This custom Triumph was built to be raced on the Bonneville Salt Flats, though it doesn’t seem to have had its chance yet. Are you feeling lucky?