Motorcycles have the potential of serving as sensible utilitarian vehicles, but reverse trikes like the Can-Am Spyder and Polaris Slingshot epitomize impractical recreational vehicles. While enclosed motorcycle-powered three-wheelers typically cater to a slightly more affluent demographic than standard two-wheelers, this example boasts a far more accessible price tag while still offering much of the raw performance and canyon carving fun …
Your Own Race Team? 1994 Harley-Davidson VR1000
8-27-17 Update: Tim Huber just let me know that 18 months later, this is back up for sale. This time it’s got further ~$25k off, with a BIN of $55,500. Bidding is up to $31,800 with the reserve not yet met here on eBay. 2-7-16 Update: Over a year later, this VR1000 has been given a $50,000 discount. Let’s see …
HD’s Only Scooter – 1961 Harley-Davidson Topper
Harley-Davidson has only produced one scooter in its entire history; the Topper. The Milwaukee-based manufacturer did make some small-displacement mopeds during its partnership with Aermacchi, but the Topper is the only scooter Harley made with legitimate floorboards and an automatic transmission. Starting in 1959 or ’60, and ending production in ’65, Harley-Davidson offered the 165cc two-stroke Topper in hopes of …
$950 – Tule Trooper Big Boy
Jim Edwins was the man behind the J. I. Edwins Company in Issaquah, Washington. The firm was best known for the production of the “Trooper”, a competitor to the better-known Tote Gote. They’re rare finds nowadays, and this one is worthy of consideration as it’s the harder-to-find “Big Boy” model with optional tandem seat and it’s said to run great!
Born Free 8 Best in Show – 1942 Harley-Davidson UL Chopper
Post Sale Update: After 26 bids on eBay, this custom Harley sold for $21,100. Built by Jeff Leighton, this Harley won Best in Show at Born Free 8 – beating out an insane dual-CB750 engine’d build (sorry, link isn’t in English but the pictures are universal). Unfortunately, it looks like his shop was broken into during an international trip, and …
Streetable Streamliner – 1989 Pulse AutoCycle
Don’t let this vehicle’s steering wheel and training wheels fool you, this is very much a motorcycle, (or at least a single track machine.) This rare 1989 Pulse Rocket Cycle example is all kinds of interesting. This behemoth of an enclosed scoot is powered by a water-cooled 1980’s Honda Gold Wing 1200 engine and reportedly is good for a cool …
Needs Some Work – 1974 Harley-Davidson RR250
Harley isn’t exactly known for its race machines, but as far as word association goes. Nonetheless, here we have a 250cc Harley-Davidson purpose-built racer: the 1974 RR250. Developed during Harley’s time in AMF competition, this bike is supposedly one of 180, though the RR250 was made for a number of years. While this example needs its restoration to be completed, …
Pick One – Storz Street Tracker Harleys
Storz Performance make some awesome parts and conversion kits. Both of the two Storz examples have been fitted with their XR1200 conversion kit which not only looks pretty snazzy but also cranks up the Harleys performance while shaving off a total of 83lbs. Highlights of the kit include an aluminum tank, fiberglass tail-section, side-covers and rear-fender, a wider rear-tire, actual …
1981 Harley-Davidson FLH
Post Listing Update: After being relisted, this FLH still did not get any interest at $6,995. I don’t want to call this FLH restored, but it’s clearly had a lot of work done recently. The seller (Classic Motorcycle Consignments) notes that the seller has invested over $24,000 as part of a 6 year ‘renovation’ after the bike was found in …
Keystone Framed Factory Hillclimber – 1923 Harley-Davidson Twin-Cam
Hillclimbers are some of the most interesting historically significant motorcycles out there. As high-dollar auctions like Bonham’s and Mecum have demonstrated, the right hillclimber in good condition can be worth a literal fortune. One of my favorites is the 1928 Excelsior Big Bertha Hillclimber that sold at a Vegas Mecum auction earlier this year for $117,500. This 1923 H-D Twin-Cam …
1949 Indian Super Scout
America’s oldest moco has offered a wide range of Scout models in its more than 100-year history. The 1949 Super Scout would be one of the last models produced by Indian before closing its doors four years later. In addition to its Scout 250 (which is in fact powered by a 440cc Overhead-valve 4-stroke vertical twin engine, though some sources …
Vintage Folding Scooter – 1955 Argyle Cub
Designed to be stowed in your car, boat, or airplane, the Argyle Cub weighed about 50 pounds and could fold up in 15 seconds. Over time, the rights were sold to a manufacturer that sold the Cub to a variety of distributors who sold it under their own names like Argyle Cub, Dinky-Cycle or JoyRide. Whatever brand you bought, you …
In Belgium – 1913 Indian Board Track Racer
Board Track racers are fascinating machines for a myriad of reasons. For starters they’re pretty much uniquely American – which is an increasingly rare feat in the two-wheeled racing world – they possess an undeniable historical significance and they flat out exude an old-school cool and simplicity to them. This beautiful four-valve (two for each of its two cylinders) Factory …
Can I Get An AMEN? 1978 Honda CB750 Chopper
Post Sale Update: This Savior sold for $2,650 after 41 bids on eBay. Based out of Southern California, AMEN (which stood for American Motorcycle ENgineering) made a name for themselves with lots of parts for choppers – but their specialty was in frames. Their best known chassis was called the Savior (some people say because it “Saved Your Ass”) as …
One-Off Custom – 1964 Jacobsen Motorbike
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Jacobsen sold for $920 after 6 bids on eBay. According to the seller, this was a one-off built by a community hardware store and Jacobsen lawnmower dealer in Rolla, Missouri that was considering selling motorized bicycles. They did not go through with the idea, but this prototype eventually ended up in a collection …