In the early 60’s, BSA’s race team was developing a large single in the hopes of winning the 500cc world motocross championship. A 441cc engine ended up being the ticket, which helped BSA capture the 500cc championship in ’64 and ’65. The following year, the company released the BSA 441 Victor Special to the public – and this one’s very …
In Holland – 1955 Vincent Black Prince Replica
I call this a “replica” as the frame was originally from a Black Shadow and the engine was originally from a Rapide, but it was given Black prince bodywork in the early 70s and it’s been with the seller since 1976.
“Narley” – 2013 Harley-Davidson Cafe Racer
Narley (or Norley) is the affectionate nickname assigned to Harley V-Twin motors shoved into Norton Featherbed frames – here’s an interesting one built with aftermarket versions of both the engine and the frame in 2013 by Absolute Engineering out of Goleta, California. What do you think of the final product?
Old and New – 2009 Triumph Bonneville 50th Anniversary
Post Listing Update: Both bikes did not meet reserve – the modern one had 14 bids up to $4,550 while the classic had 24 bids up to $16,000. 12-27-20 Update: One year later, both of these bikes are back up for sale and it looks like nothing has changed with either (except hopefully, the reserves). Find the 50th Anniversary with …
1969 Greeves Ranger 250
Founded by Bert Greeves, the Greeves motorcycle company started when Bert was mowing his lawn and thought of mounting a lawnmower engine to the wheelchair of his disabled cousin to help with mobility. That led to a government contract, and Bert was inspired by his success to start building motorcycles as well. The company was quite successful with exports – …
1972 Bond Bug 700ES
Post Sale Update: This Bond Bug sold for $19,000 after 31 bids on eBay in Hamburg, New York. Built by Reliant (the same company that made the Robin), the Bond Bug is a microcar with two seats and three wheels. The initial idea was to create something sportier than the Robin and the Regal to appeal to younger buyers, though …
“Eye Candy” – 1958 Ariel Square Four Custom
Built in California in 2001, this custom chopper is called “Eye Candy” and it features a motor typically not seen in these kinds of builds – an Ariel Square Four!
“The Nickel Peeper” – 1950s Triumph Bonneville Custom
Over on the auction site we’ve got a fun custom built by Choppahead Kustom Cycles called “The Nickel Peeper”.
1968 BSA Spitfire MKIV
11/24/20 Update: Three months later, this bike is now up on Iconic Motorbike Auctions with a significantly lower reserve! It’s currently at our hangar at Santa Monica Airport, feel free to come on by and check it out. Good luck, and find it here with bidding up to $2,400 and the reserve not yet met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. …
1967 Norton Atlas 750
Post Listing Update: This Atlas did not meet reserve with 45 bids up to $8,211 on eBay in Sarasota, Florida. Named after the ICBM, the Norton Atlas was released in 1962, earning a so-so reputation before being replaced by the classic Commando. Built to appeal to American aesthetic preferences, it was initially only produced for export. The Atlas produced 55 …
Never Ridden – 1969 American Eagle 405 Talon
Founded by Frank Hipkin in the mid ’60s, Sprite Motor Cycles (later known as Sprite Developments) as a small British off-road motorcycle company that built trials bikes and scramblers, usually as a kit. One of their bigger efforts was the 405 Talon, and it was exported to several countries under different names: the BVM 405 in Belgium, Alron 405 in …
1971 BSA Firebird Scrambler
Post Sale Update: This Firebird sold for $5,000 after 12 bids on eBay in Bakersfield, California. BSA and Triumph released the new 1971 range to much fanfare…but journalists were underwhelmed. As Frank Westworth stated in a Bennetts review, “The press hated the brave, new, etc 1971 Beezers. They hated the style. They hated the colours. They hated the old engines, …
In Canada – 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star
Post Sale Update: sold for $19,500 after 12 bids on eBay in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. One of BSA’s most legendary motorcycles, the Rocket Gold Star was a limited production special built in 1962 and 1963 that owes its existence to a British Dealer named Eddie Dow (who himself earned the nickname of “Mr. Gold Star”).
No Reserve In Belgium – 1958 Norton ES2
Post Sale Update: sold for $9,250 after 32 bids on eBay in Peer, Belgium. The ES2 was introduced in 1927 and was originally sold as a sports bike, though by the time production stopped in 1964, it wasn’t particularly competitive in the world of fast motorcycles. Still, an almost 40 year long production run is damned impressive, and this is …
1969 BSA Rocket 3
Post Sale Update: sold for $10,000 after 9 bids on eBay in Portland, Oregon. Specifically built for the US market (which wanted larger displacements and less vibrations), the 750cc triple motor in the BSA Rocket 3 was designed to extend the model line beyond 650 twins. BSA’s financials suffered with the production of this bike, but nearly 27,500 of the …