The baby brother to the legendary Black Shadow, the Vincent Rapide was sold from 1936-55 in 3 distinct ‘Series’. The final run was the Series C, which commenced in 1949. It offered the Rapide as a base model and the Black Shadow as the higher state of tune. The Rapide’s 998cc V-twin was good for 45 horsepower – the Black …
Custom Flat Tracker – 1947 AJS Model 18
Producing just 28 horsepower, the Model 18 was never designed to be quick, but it was easy to ride, comfortable up to about 60 miles per hour, and returned excellent gas mileage. Here’s one that sacrifices a little bit of comfort for a whole lot of style.
2 Miles – 1983 Hesketh V1000
By 1981, England was almost irrelevant in the international game of motorcycle production. So Thomas Alexander Fermor-Hesketh (how’s that for a name?), an actual Lord and Baron who had already started a racing team, decided to start his own motorcycle company. You can guess where he got the name from – enter the Hesketh V1000.
1970 Royal Enfield Interceptor
In addition to having the classiest name in motorcycling history, the Royal Enfield Interceptor featured a tuned version of RE’s biggest engine at the time. They were only sold in the US and Canada – as a ’70 model, this is a MkII model.
Restored – 1956 BSA Golden Flash
We recently saw a Golden Flash that had been turned into a scrambler – so here’s a concours restoration for you purists.
1937 Brough Superior SS80
Post Sale Update: This SS80 sold for $91,433 after 60 bids on eBay in San Diego, California. Called the Rolls Royce of bikes because of its impeccable finish, the SS80 (Super Sports) was named based on the founder’s assurances that the bike could hit 80mph, thanks to a nearly 1000cc engine.
1967 Velocette Venom Clubman
Post Sale Update: This Velocette sold for $15,655 after 15 bids on eBay in Trenton, New Jersey. Introduced in 1955, the Velocette Venom had a distinctive claim to fame – in 1961, a factory-prepped Venom Clubman was the first motorcycle to average over 100 MPH over the course of 24 hours. The challenge was completed at the 1.7 miles concrete …
AHRMA Scrambler -1958 BSA Golden Flash A10
Post Listing Update: This Golden Flash did not meet reserve with 8 bids up to $3,850 on eBay in Hillsboro, Oregon. Starting with a A10 Golden Flash engine and frame, this BSA was converted into a classic scrambles racer in England.
1967 BSA Victor 441
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!