By the late 1960’s, Triumph’s outdated 650 and 750 twins were facing increasing pressure from the Japanese. While beautiful, the Triumphs were being pushed aside by models like the groundbreaking CB750 from Honda. In an effort to compete, BSA/Triumph came out with an inline triple engine. At 750cc, it was competitive in racing, especially in Rob North frames, but the …
A Good Story – 1948 Norton International Manx
Norton has a long and storied history building and racing motorcycles. The International was built in 350 and 500cc variants from 1931 to 1957, with a break for that big war. As it evolved, so did its engine, frame and suspension. In its final form, it used the “Featherbed” frame, famous for it’s roadholding ability.
2000 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport
Moto Guzzis are an acquired taste. If you’ve ever ridden one, you would immediately know what I mean. Their owners can be a quirky group, but you have to give them credit for their loyalty, and they tend to rack up the miles. The V11 was Guzzi’s attempt to grab a piece of the “sportbike” market in the late 1990’s.
Gentleman’s Tourer – 1985 Moto Guzzi California II
Moto Guzzi is a proud Italian company that has been making motorcycles for close to 100 years. Prior to WWII, they were primarily small-displacement singles and twins, and they have a long history of success in racing, with 14 World GP Championships and 11 TT wins. At the end of the 1960’s, they produced their first transverse twin that powered …
Moto Giro Mount – 1962 Wards Riverside (Benelli) Cobra
Back in the 60’s some of the major US department stores sold European small-displacement motorcycles in the American market. Montgomery Wards rebadged Benellis and sold them under the Wards-Riverside name. You could buy them in the store, or from their long-gone catalogs. Here’s an ad for the 4-stroke 250.
1951 Matchless G80
The Matchless G80 was a single-cylinder, 500CC bike from by the British company AMC – Associated Motor Cycles. The G80 was built in several variants between 1946 and 1966. Designed for the postwar market, it was a pushrod 4-stroke, with hydraulic forks and twin-shock rear swingarm suspension. Power was approximately 28 hp @ 5600rpm.
Rare Project – 1961 Parilla Clipper 350
Parilla is an Italian motorcycle company formed after World War II. Famous for their “high cam” engines, they made several different model bikes, mostly small-displacement utilitarian and commuter bikes for the postwar market. Some models were imported to the US, and supported by Cosmopolitan Motors until the late 60’s. This is a rare, twin-cylinder, 350cc “Clipper” model. Acccording to the …
1969 BSA 441 Victor
We have featured several BSA Victors over the years here. They are always a crowd favorite, and could serve as the poster-boy for the original “dual-sport” concept – take a race bike, add lights, a mirror and pretty it up a bit, and go!
1970 Rickman Triumph Metisse
Most of you know the story of brothers Don and Derek Rickman, who started out in the early 60’s building custom frames for British scrambles bikes and later road racers. Their frames were light and rigid, and they incorporated some innovations such as oil-in-frame, eccentric swingarm adjustment,and larger diameter telescopic forks. The frames were very popular with racers, enough so …
Early BMW Hybrid – 1983 BMW R80ST
The R80ST was the street-only version of the R80GS. It had slightly different styling, and the seat was slightly lower. It used the same air-cooled boxer twin engine with a dry clutch that put out 50hp at 6500 rpm. The 5-speed tranny drove the rear through the same Monolever shaft drive. Wheels were 19″ front, 18″ rear, for the street.
2004 Ducati 998 Matrix Edition
If you are looking at a motorcycle purchase as an investment (not really advised), one of the best things you can look for are top-of-the line models – those “S” or “R” models, or special editions, especially if they are limited runs of a few hundred or so. This Ducati 998 Matrix fits that latter category.
1970 Montesa 247 Cota
I don’t know what it is about Trials bikes that make me want to hit the “Buy Now” prompt. I think it is just because they represent the essence of motorcycling. Two wheels, a simple engine, twist and go. This Montesa ticks those boxes…
1975 Bultaco Pursang
You should be familiar by now with the story of Francesco Bulto, who left Montessa in the late 1950’s and soon later formed Bultaco. One of Bultaco’s most successful models, especially in the US, was the Pursang. The Pursang was available in several engine sizes, including 125, 250, 360 and 370cc’s. This particular bike is a restored 1975 model 250. …
Unexpected Custom – 1976 Moto Guzzi T3
The Moto Guzzi T3 was an 844cc transverse V-twin that put out that put out approximately 59HP through a 5-speed transmission with shaft drive. Weight was 540 pounds, so it was not exactly fast, but it was comfortable and reliable, with typical big-twin torque. As such, it was selected by many California cities for Police duty. Supposedly this has a …
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It’s history would make a great basis for an Italian Motorcycle-themed soap opera. Giovanni Castiglioni and his sons ran the business out of Varese, Italy. Over the years there were deals involving a used Aermacchi/Harley Davidson factory, a buyout of Ducati in 1985, and later buyouts of Moto Morini and Husqvarna. Most of these …