Post Listing Update: Despite a hefty 128 bids up to $89,999, this Flying Merkel did not meet reserve. Built between 1911 and 1915, the Flying Merkel is one of the most iconic American motorcycles of all time. The brand actually started back in 1902 as a bicycle builder, but a year later the founder (Joseph Merkel) started slapping single-cylinder motors …
“The Wrench” – 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Custom
Long before modern electronics were found inside motorcycles, it was just the rider, the bike, and a couple of wrenches. I’ve never been a huge fan of what I like to call “Gimmick Builds”, but this custom shovelhead gets a pass as far as I’m concerned. The build quality and attention to detail on this one-off Harley are nothing short …
Needs Some Work – 1971 Speedway Silver Shadow
Post Listing Update: This Silver Shadow did not get any interest at the opening ask of $3,000. For many minibike collectors, the Silver Shadow is as good as it gets. Speedway called it the world’s fastest mini-cycle thanks to a 12.5 horsepower Sachs 2-stroke motor and a weight of just 147 pounds. It’s also incredibly rare – I’ve seen estimates …
Diesel Power – 2009 Kawasaki M1030M1
Post Listing Update: The seller lowered the asking price to $14,000 from the original $30k but that still wasn’t enough to attract any attention. KLR fans, take a close look at that motor. If it looks different than what you’re used to, it’s because this is a diesel-powered Kawasaki built by Hayes Diversified Technologies for the US Marine Corps. Hayes …
WRENCHMONKEE #69 – 2003 Harley-Davidson XL 883R Cafe Racer
Harley-based cafe builds are very hit or miss for me. The American machines don’t lend themselves particularly well to this genre of build so it takes an extensive transformation to really get it right. Though this example may at first look like just another one of the many cafe builds floating around these days, it boasts a couple of subtle …
Track ‘n’ Trail – 1975 Can-Am TnT 175
The Can-Am TNT series was one of many dirt-oriented bikes produced during the short but very sweet lifespan of Can-Am. An acronym for Track ‘n’ Trail, the TNT bikes shared the same chassis and engine as the MX bikes, but utilized lower compression for easy riding traits on trails.
“Bike” Review – 2018 Polaris Slingshot SLR LE
View Post2012 Martin Conquest 1200 Wheelchair Trike
Trikes have the unique ability of empowering and enabling people to ride who otherwise couldn’t due to age, injury, handicap, or plenty of other reasons. Enter Martin Conquest, a UK-based moco who wanted to give the gift of riding to those bound to wheelchairs, creating the world’s first – as the creators call it – “Wheelchair Motorcycle” that can be …
1965 Skat Kitty Minibike
The Skat Kitty was one of many American minibikes of the 60s, but it stands out as it was the first production “scooter” with a cast aluminum frame and fender assembly. It was sold by Projects Unlimited out of Dayton, Ohio, and this is probably only going to appeal to someone who either had one themselves as a kid (or …
Roland Sands x Technics – 2010 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Iron
Roland Sands has built one-off motorcycles of all kinds, the vast majority of which are pretty awesome customs. Some are obviously more extensive transformations than others, but even the lesser-involved builds are easily distinguishable from the donor bike’s stock form. Often times RSD-built bikes are the work of the company’s design team, but Roland himself is often personally responsible for …
WRTT + WLD – Factory C Class Harley-Davidson Racers
Harley-Davidson’s race heritage could have very easily never happened. Arthur Davidson wasn’t fond of the idea of a H-D race team and felt it made very little sense. He was confident his company was more than capable of producing competitive racers, but felt all of the special R&D was largely irrelevant to the bikes on the showroom floor. “We can …
Red or Blue – Pair of 1960’s Sportsters
Since the mid-1950’s, Harley-Davidson has been producing its Sportster model, one of the iconic brand’s stronger sellers. Dozens of updates and changes have been made to the Sportster over roughly six decades of production, though they’re all powered by the same iconic 45-degree V-Twin. The Knife and Fork ironhead engine on the original Sporster utilized connecting rods where both units …
Bare Bones Rides Build – 1989 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200
Built by Bare Bones Rides out of Florida, this custom Sportster is currently being enjoyed by a medical student who unfortunately has to let it go. It might not be your preferred style for a custom, but you can’t deny it’s a much more interesting way for a student to bop around campus and the surrounding area than the usual …
Best of the Bolts – 2014 Yamaha Star Bolt
9-19-17 Update: Over two years later, this Hageman build is back up for sale. It’s moved up north a bit, so you can find it in Charlottesville, Virginia with bidding up to $3,100 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $14,900 here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Yamaha Star Bolt sold for $16,250. Back …
Hondas and Indians – 3 Cool Minis
Minibikes have a more universal appeal in the motorcycle world quite possibly more than any other type of motorized two-wheeler. So many motorcyclists have stories to share of piloting a mini that they, a cousin, or a kid down the street owned. For many of these riders, this would be their first introduction into a lifelong moto-obession. Indian wasn’t particularly …