The world of motorcycling has always been heavily populated by dreamers and charlatans. I suppose such a statement could be applied to most business sectors, but in motorcycling it can be particularly hard to tell who is who. Is a person naive or nefarious; sometimes even the person themself doesn’t know.
1966 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide FLH
Post Listing Update: this Harley-Davidson did not meet reserve with 61 bids up to $19,900 on eBay. 1966 was the first year of the Shovelhead motor, a powerplant that would last until 1984 when Harley introduced the Evolution. The “Electra Glide” name signified that this bike had an electric starter which was introduced only a year prior. Cycle World was …
1971 Indian Boy Racer
Post Listing Update: this Indian was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Back in the days when Floyd Clymer owned the Indian name, he dabbled with a few small motorcycles like the Papoose, Indian Boy Racer, MM-5 minibike or the MT series of dirtbikes. One option was the Super Scrambler, which was offered in red/white, blue/white, or yellow/black.
“Rumble” – 2004 Harley-Davidson Sidecar Custom
Post Listing Update: this custom Harley did not get any action at the $67,000 BIN on eBay. Called “Rumble”, this gorgeous sidecar rig was built by Dan Stern and is powered by a 2004 H-D Softail. Work started in 2004 and it made its public debut at The One Motorcycle Show in Portland in 2021.
2008 Victory Vision Tour
Post Listing Update: this Victory did not get any action at the $6,500 BIN on eBay. Speaking of underappreciated touring bikes, the Victory Vision is a motorcycle that I feel never really got the love it deserved. Perhaps that’s because it looks like a spaceship. Or, perhaps that’s because it weighs about as much as a spaceship. But if you …
1984 Can-Am 240 Trial
I feel like the readers of Bike-urious tend to be pretty knowledgeable. So, perhaps you know about Can-Am ─ a Canada-based brand that was created in 1972 as a way for snowmobile makers Bombardier to sell motocross and enduro motorcycles.
2018 Alta Redshift SM
I’m still writing up my review of the Can-Am Origin and Pulse but my time with those bikes has made me reflect on my (generally underwhelming) experience with electric motorcycles over the years. One of the few standouts was the Alta Redshift SM (supermoto), and this one’s worth a share as it’s been taken to another level thanks to a …
Pedal Powered – 197x Evel Knievel Speedster
This is a bit different than our usual fare but I really enjoyed it when commenter Rod M sent it over! Here’s one where you’ll have to rely on your own power versus horsepower.
1959 Cushman Super Eagle
The 1950s seem to have been a magical period in motorcycling, when manufacturers all around the world were happily throwing everything at the wall. The Cushman Super Eagle managed to stick for a while, though not as long as its makers would have hoped. Yes, Cushman, makers of the vehicle that mall cops used to chase you with when you …
1952 Harley-Davidson S-125
Dear bike sellers: please make sure you take good photos of your bike. The cluttered, portrait-framed images of this Harley-Davidson S-125, don’t do the bike justice. But the ad’s worth noting because this is one of the best-condition S-125s I’ve ever seen. Also known as the Model 125, or ─ more colloquially, but inaccurately, a Hummer ─ the S-125 was …
1960s Sears Allstate Compact
When I was a boy, one of my favorite things to do in the weeks leading up to Christmas was get a hold of the Sears Wish Book, go through it with a marker, and circle all the toys I wanted. You need to be of a certain age to know what the Sears Wish Book was, I suppose. It …
Made in Gilroy – 2000 Indian Chief Centennial
You probably know that the history of Indian Motorcycle between 1953 (when the original Indian Motocycle Co. went bust) and 2011 (when Polaris took over the marque) is murky and filled with charlatans and dreamers. In that 58-year period, no less than 10 individuals or entities laid claim to the Indian name, each offering (or promising to offer) a new …
1947 Harley-Davidson FL with Sidecar
If you’re like me, you kinda clocked out halfway through Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when it went from travelog to philosophical ponderance. I’m more of a John Sutherland guy ─ I like wearing a leather jacket because it looks cool, and I don’t really want to mess with tappets ─ so, once he left the …
Ex-Military – 2016 Christini 450
You’ve seen two wheel drive bikes before thanks to companies like Rokon. But thanks to a fancy mechanical system enclosed within the head tub and frame, Christini has been the most successful manufacturer of two wheel drive bikes that can go anywhere and do it quickly. They’re also the only one who had any success (though limited) with selling bikes …
No Reserve – 1965 Cushman Super Silver Eagle
In the wake of the Second World War, the United States was experiencing a transportation boom, and Cushman Motor Works was eager to capitalize on the trend. Come 1949, the Nebraska-based manufacturer dressed up one of its 50cc scooters to resemble popular baggers like the Harley-Davidson Big Twin and Indian Chief. Dubbed the “Eagle,” the little scooter proved an instant …