When most people think of big ticket vehicle auctions in the U.S., the location of choice is usually Monterey, California. On August 14th, Mecum’s hosting an auction at this storied location. In all, 75 bikes will be up for auction, many of which are from the Gary Hite Estate Collection. In chronological order, here are my top 7 (because I …
OddBike – Authenticity in the Motorcycle World
Jason at OddBike has always put out quality articles, but I found myself constantly nodding my head while reading his most recent editorial, one about the concept of authenticity and what that means in the motorcycling industry, for big companies and individuals building out of their garages.
1957 Velocette Valiant
After World War II, Velocette sold the LE (Little Engine), a completely new design that was all about cheap, efficient transportation who wanted individual transportation. An evolution of the LE, this Velocette Valiant was supposed to be a sportier version, with more power, better styling, an extra gear on the transmission, and more.
A Question for Los Angeles readers…
A good friend of mine has a ’70s Kawasaki KZ650 that’s been sitting in his garage for way too long. He’s about to bring it back to life, and neither him nor I are capable of doing that ourselves. The list of mechanics I trust in the area is pretty much limited to BMW guys, so I’m hoping one of …
Picture Intermission – The Frog Design FZ750 Rana
If, like me, you’re a child of the 80s, then bikes that make you think of Akira or Tron are always visually appealing. So when Frank Wu sent me an email with a couple of photos saying that the Frog Design FZ750 Rana was being featured at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco (in an exhibit appropriately named “Gorgeous”), …
Picture Intermission – Motorcycles in Paris
While I was in Paris, it was impossible for me not to get distracted by the sheer amount of scooters and motorcycles around. So I made sure to keep my camera with me and try to snap pictures of any interesting motorcycles I could see, much to the chagrin of anyone that was walking with me at the time. I …
1974 Ducati 750GT
Ducati’s first V-Twin, the 750GT featured a 60 horsepower 748cc twin, which was good enough to push the 407 pound (dry) bike up to 125 miles per hour. Original MSRP was $1,995. Want to learn more? Check out a lengthy write-up here on Motorcycle Classics about what makes the 750GT special. This specific bike has 25,000 miles and has been …
Mecum Harrisburg 2014 Auction Preview
After realizing that the RM Monterey Auction was only featuring one bike this year (though I did think it was a cool one), I figured I owed you coverage of a more comprehensive auction. With that in mind, on July 27, 200 motorcycles are going up for auction at the Mecum Auction in Harrisburg, PA. In no particular order, here …
1972 Benelli Panther
Also known as the Cross 125 in the UK, the Benelli Panther was a small dual sport that shared many parts with other 70s small-displacement Benelli’s. This specific example (VIN: MC11743) runs great and looks okay, though it’s missing the speedo and right side cover. Find this Benelli Panther for sale in Nashua, New Hampshire with a BIN of $1,999 …
2014 RM Monterey Auction Preview
On August 15th, the RM Monterey Auction will take place at the Portola Hotel in (surprise) Monterey, California. I thought I’d check out some of the lots on offer and share my personal highlights with you. Then I realized that they’re only selling one bike, so my job got a lot easier. Thankfully, that one bike is very interesting…
Picture Intermission – “Secret” Motorcycle Museum in France
I had a day to kill in Paris, so naturally I was trying to find something to do with motorcycles. An internet search revealed something that was too far for me to see, but I thought you guys would enjoy it. Long story short, a gentleman named Christian Pelletier was driving on a rural road when he saw a sign …
Adventure Cycleworks
Let me paint you a picture. It’s 6:15pm and I’m on the way back down the Haul Road after reaching the top of Alaska. Stopping for the rare opportunity to fill up my gas tank, I noticed that my left fork seal is spurting out oil like blood from a carotid artery in any action movie. Alright, that might not …
Video Intermission – Ashley Fiolek
Think about every time you go riding and how you know it’s time to shift without looking at the tachometer because you can hear it. When you really know you’re bike, it’s the easiest way to ride. Hell, I put a Laser Hotcam on my K1200R just because I love the way it sounds. Now imagine you have to ride …
“Everything I Know About Management, I Learned from Motorcycling”
Those of you that have been reading this site for a while know that I’m a big fan of Frank Wu, the motorcycle-riding Dean of UC Hastings. Recently he wrote an interesting (if you’re into business) post on how motorcycling affects his behavior on management. Check it out here, and then remember why you love riding bikes! Plus you can …
Motorcycle Graveyard in Lockport, New York
Reader Aaron K. just sent over this wonderful article about a “motorcycle graveyard” rediscovered by David Cuff of Classic Cycles. The original article is summarized in an easier to digest article here on MessyNessyChic, but the key is just to go check out the photos. I know you guys love your classic bikes, so these photos will either make you …