The Triumph Speed Triple has become quite popular over the last 20 years – in particular it’s become the darling of hooligans and wheelie enthusiasts. And while today’s it’s a no-brainer to recommend a “Striple” to your friends as their next purchase, back when this bike was introduced, no one knew what to expect from Hinckley Triumph.
Basically New – 1997 Honda Dream 50 CB50V
Honda has always been one of the world’s best at sub-100cc bikes, from commuter bikes for the people to full on works racers. Over the years, however, the company slowly moved towards bigger bikes in an effort to capture more of an American market that has always been obsessed with power. For a couple of years in the Japanese market …
1962 Matchless G80CS
Post Sale Update: After 10 bids, this G80CS sold for $7,500. The pinnacle of the G80 series (except for the super-rare Typhoon G80TCS), the Matchless G80CS was a “Competition Suspension” variant that was designed to race through the dirt – just remove the lights!
1973 Kawasaki H2 750
Kawasaki has recently been dropping hints about their upcoming sportbike, the Ninja H2, which will feature a supercharger right from the factory floor. But the reason they chose the H2 name is to pay homage to one of their greatest motorcycles ever, the H2 750. You may also know it by the affectionate nickname, the Widowmaker. Here’s a highly customized …
Supercharged – 2006 Triumph Rocket III
The Triumph Rocket III made quite the stir when it first came out in 2004, as it had the largest displacement engine fitted to mass production motorcycle – a whopping 2.3L that put out 140 hp. Fun fact: the STARTER motor on this bike makes as much power as Triumph’s first-ever motorcycle – just about 1.75 horses.
Video Intermission – MotoGeo Mongolia Adventure
You ever meet someone who’s doing what you’ve been dreaming of? Once you get over the initial jealousy, it’s incredibly inspiring. This weekend, I went through that exact experience with Jamie Robinson: former motorcycle racer, current founder of MotoGeo, and as you’ll see when you watch his videos – a big fan of giving people a “thumbs up”.
1967 Honda CL77 Scrambler
The Honda CL77 Scrambler was, in a way, the off-road brother of the venerable Super Hawk. Any Honda CL denotes a scrambler, and this was one of the best – in 1968, the Baja 1000 was won on a CL77.
1940 Indian 440
Post-Listing Update: This Indian 440 was pulled off eBay due to an ‘error in the listing’. Possibly the most famous of Indian’s pre-WWII bikes, the Indian 440 introduced the distinctive fenders that have survived even to the most recent revival of the marque. The styling was so distinctive that in 2006, the US Postal Service used the 440 as one …
2004 Honda Rune
Post Sale Update: This Rune sold for $15,602 after 10 bids on eBay. The Honda Rune made a huge splash back in 2004, as Honda brought to market a bike that no one believed would ever make it past concept. Just look at it! I’m still stunned that Honda released this bike, and I’m in love with the rear fender. …
Picture Intermission – Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club Rally 2014
This past Saturday, I went to see the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club Rally, which was fantastic. Unfortunately, I was only able to spend about an hour there, so I didn’t have a chance to see as much as I would have wanted to. With that in mind, I also didn’t get as many photos as usual, so I apologize in …
Rathmell Rep – 1976 Montesa Cota 348
Malcolm Rathmell was a champion trials rider who rode a prototype Montesa Cota 348 in the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1975 – he placed second. During his career, he won the British Trails Championship six times in a ten year period, as well as the World Championship in 1974. He went on to start a mail order business in …
1974 Rokon RT340
Post-Sale Update: After 15 bids on eBay, this Rokon RT340 sold for $2,449. The Rokon RT340 was a rare ‘one-wheel’ drive bike featuring an automatic transmission from the company best known for making the go-anywhere Trailbreaker. Because of the transmission, you might suspect it was geared (no pun intended) towards beginners who wanted to learn in the dirt without worrying …
Video Intermission – Honda RC148
Jesus Christ. Turn your speakers down, because this is just incredible. I wasn’t paying attention the first time I watched this – you hear a tiny idle and I naively thought it was the motorcycle. Then you see that the noise was just a generator for a wheel to bump start the racer. 5 cylinders, each 25cc, could rev up …
Born Free 6 Entrant – 1940 Harley-Davidson UL Custom
This Harley-Davidson UL Flathead Chopper was built for the Born Free 6 Show by Joey Cano of Slabside Cycles. As you might expect, there’s plenty of custom work here. That includes plenty of handmade parts, the custom paint job, and brass molding. The 1940 engine was rebuilt by Live Free Cycles, wrapped by a 1948 Panhead wishbone frame. For more …
2005 Honda Big Ruckus PS250
Post-Sale Update: After 23 bids on eBay, this Honda Big Ruckus PS250 sold for $2,425 The Ruckus was a surprising hit for Honda, due almost entirely to the aftermarket customization that has skyrocketed around the 50cc scooter. What many people don’t know is that Honda offered a ‘full-size’ version called the Honda Big Ruckus for 4 years in Japan and …