Post Listing Update: Not surprisingly, this CCM did not get any interest at the asking price of $37,500. It’s been relisted but I’ll only feature this bike again if the seller offers a serious discount in the future. In 1971, Alan Clews founded CCM (Clews Competition Machines) by taking advantage of BSA’s decision to shut down their competition department. Clews …
1957 BSA Spitfire Scrambler
Post Sale Update: This Spitfire sold for the BIN of $12,900. Also known as the Rocket Gold Star Scrambler, the Spitfire Scrambler is one of the rarest variations of BSA’s A10 model line up. It was an export-only bike that was primarily sold in the US and it was designed as an scrambles/desert racer from the factory. It combined a …
1967 Royal Enfield Interceptor Mk. 1A
It’s an exciting time to be a fan of Royal Enfield, as they’ve just announced three new motorcycles for the US next year. I’m most interested in the 400cc Himalayan adventure bike, but for the first time in decades RE is production a twin cylinder motor. Said motor is an air/oil-cooled 650cc parallel twin and it will power a bigger …
Bonneville Record Breaker in the UK – 1957 Manx Norton JAP 1150cc Custom
When it was originally sold in July of 1957, this was a Norton Manx 30M. But the story gets much more interesting almost 5 decades later, when a racer named Eric Patterson swapped in a 1,150cc JAP Mk2 motor and took it to the Bonneville Salt Flats to set some speed records.
ISDT Tribute – 1965 BSA B40 Enduro Star
Post Listing Update: Despite 48 bids up to $3,049, this BSA did not meet reserve. In the 1965 ISDT, BSA’s factory efforts with 350s and 441s had ground to a halt by day four thanks to the Prince of Darkness, Joseph Lucas. That’s obviously a bit of a stretch, but every works bike was knocked out due to electrical problems. …
2015 Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer
It’s been a few years since the new Norton Commando was made available in the US. Known as the 961, it was offered in 4 variants – the SF, Sport, Cafe Racer, and a limited production Special Edition. Here’s one of the first Cafe Racers that made it to the US with just 511 miles. The new bikes are sold …
Born Free Best British – 1961 Triumph Bonneville by Choppahead Kustoms
Post Listing Update: Despite 72(!) bids up to $19,700, this custom Bonnie did not meet reserve. Built by Choppahead Kustoms in East Freetown, Massachusetts, this custom Triumph is called “The Hail Mary” and it recently won Best British at Born Free. In addition, it was shown at the Brooklyn Invitation and it was the cover bike for the August 2017 …
In England – 1949 Egli Vincent
Built in 1997 with a 1949 Vincent Rapide Series C motor (F10AB/1/2168), this beautiful Egli-framed motorcycle has a frame number from a 1952 Vincent Comet (RC/1/11576 B). It looks great but I’d love to throw a cowl on the rear end of that seat.
1959 BSA 650 Special
With Rocket Gold Star headers, the front end from a Lightning, and plenty of other BSA parts, this mutt of a Beeza may not impress the purists but it looks like it would be a blast to ride.
Divisive Classic – 1964 BSA B40
The BSA B40 is a cool little classic with a deservedly poor reputation, yet that didn’t stop it from being an incredibly popular machine. It served as one of the primary replacements for the post-WW2 BSA M20’s and Matchless GL3’s. The B40 would see ample use by the British Armed Forces who ordered more than 3,000 units, including 141 for …
BeOn GP Kit – 2007 Aprilia SXV550 Road Racer
10-31-17 Update: Reader Frank S notes that this bike is back up for sale with a $1,500 discount – you can now find it here on Craigslist for $8,000. Based out of Valencia, Spain, BeOn Automotive has developed a “450 GP” kit to turn common 450 MX bikes into road racers. Here’s a kit-equipped Aprilia SXV550 that’s been raced by …
Inclined Depression-Era Brit – 1931 Triumph WO
1931 was a pretty significant year for the British motorcycle history. Ariel debuted its legendary Square Four (designed by Edward Turner), Britain issued its first Highway Code laws, and it was an even bigger year for Triumph who introduced an array of new offerings that brought the number of total models offered in the 1931 motorcycle range up to ten. …
1960 Matchless G80CS
Post Listing Update: After 32 bids on eBay, this Matchless did not meet reserve at $6,700. CS stands for Competition Suspension, and for several years it was the top-of-the-line variant of the G80 (if you ignore the 125 examples of the rare Typhoon G80TCS). In Matchless’ mind, all you had to do was pull off the headlight and you’d have …
Barry Sheene GP Racer – 1983 Heron Suzuki RGB500 Mk8
10-26-2017 Update: 17 months later, this GP Suzuki is back up for sale with an approximate discount of 40 percent. That sounds good, except the asking price is still $124,944. If that somehow brings it down into your price range, you can find it in the UK here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: This bike did not get any interest at …
In Italy – 1954 Norvin
10-16-17 Update: A month later, this Norvin is back up for sale. I try to let more time pass when a bike doesn’t sell but it’s just so fantastic that I have to share it in case someone missed it the first time. With that said – take special note of the seller’s feedback rating! Find it with bidding up …