Did you know that you have 11 choices to describe your personal relationship on Facebook? And that one of them is “It’s complicated”? I’d really like to give you a background and lineage on this Indian Brave but, well, it’s complicated. If anybody has a definitive history of the Indian Brave, I’d love to know. I’ll tell you what I …
Last Iron Barrel – 2008 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
Classic Motorworks is moving to Fort Worth, Texas, and it looks like the owner is using the move as an opportunity to sell some stuff. One of the things he’s getting rid of is the last 500cc iron barrel Bullet ever built. According to the seller, Classic Motorworks was the exclusive importer and distributor for Royal Enfield in the USA …
1946 Ariel Red Hunter 350
We recently featured one of these in December, so it is a little unusual to see another pop up on Craigslist. Maybe the owner got motivated after the recent auctions, as some of the older, collectible bikes were fetching serious money, especially the pre-war American twins. Alas, this is neither pre-war, a twin, or American, but that makes it more …
1971 Triumph T25
I find Triumph’s “Blazer” series of the T25 a tad confusing, as there’s a few versions with minor differences. Because this example does not have a handlebar brace, my guess would be that it’s the T25SS, or the regular Street Scrambler. It’s missing the distinctive original exhaust but this bike is being sold by a friend of mine that I …
1938 Velocette MSS
The 1930s were the absolutely the heyday of British singles. BSA, Triumph, Norton, Velocette, Sunbeam, Rudge, New Hudson, Excelsior, HRD, New Imperial and Royal Enfield all made 500 CC singles during the 1930s. No doubt one of the best of the lot was the Velocette MSS. Introduced in 1935 the MSS continued in the Velocette catalog until 1968 (None made …
1968 Triumph TR6C
The Triumph TR6 was introduced as a 1956 model 650 CC twin aimed squarely at the US market. Bud Ekins said he basically taught Steve McQueen to ride the fire roads of So Cal on a TR6, and there is no doubt that McQueen loved the bike. He owned several over the years. By 1968 the TR6 was unit construction …
1967 Royal Enfield Interceptor Mk. 1A 750
Post Listing Update: This Interceptor did not meet reserve with 8 bids up to $10,100 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. About a week ago, I featured an custom Royal Enfield Interceptor and I noted that it was rare to see a custom Interceptor because they were rare enough that owners usually restored them to like new instead of modifying them. Well, here’s …
1953 BSA BB32 Gold Star
The BSA Gold Star famously took it’s name from a race at Brooklands in 1937 when Wal Handley came out of retirement to ride a three lap race for BSA. It was BSA’s first factory competition since 1921, and not only did Handley win the event he had a lap over 100 MPH (107.5 MPH) for which he was awarded …
Something for Everybody
I have a really hard time imagining that this sort of ‘bulk mail’ marketing, but this guy is selling a whole collection of European motorcycles with parts. Problem being that the collection is in bits and pieces and may not have a running motorcycle in the whole batch.
The Bullitt Build – 2005 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer
Post Sale Update: After 26 bids on eBay, this cafe’d Bonnie sold for $8,100. The Bullitt is a “motorcycle blog dedicated to both modern and vintage cafe racers, scramblers, trackers, bobbers and the people who ride them.” They also occasionally create some custom builds, and one of them is now back on the market.
1950 AJS Model 18
AJS and Matchless were built in the AMC factory in London and were known to be nearly identical. The brothers that owned Matchless bought AJS in 1931 and formed Associated Motor Cycles in 1938. AMC also acquired Norton in 1953. The AJS Model 18 and the Matchless G80 were nearly identical until 1952 except that the magneto was located behind …
Restored – 1968 Triumph Bonneville
Restored by Commando Specialties, this Bonneville has spent the last year on display in their showroom. Who’s ready to get it back on the road?
Unexpected Custom – 1968 Royal Enfield Interceptor
Post Listing Update: This custom Interceptor did not get any action at the asking price of $30,000. This Interceptor was built by Charlie Giordano of Tailgunner Exhausts (so it obviously features their trademark rotating gatling gun mufflers). Ignoring that, this bike is quite polarizing – what do you think of it?
Production Racer – 1956 Matchless G45
1-29-17 Update: 2 years later, this G45 is back up for sale. Bidding is up to $10,000 with the reserve not yet met here on eBay. 1-14-15 Update: Though it did not sell for a BIN of $55,000 last time, this G45 is back up for sale with a BIN of $58,000 or best offer here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: …
1971 Norton Commando 750 Cafe Racer
Any reader of this site doesn’t need an explanation of why the Norton Commando is one of the legends of motorcycling history. I like this example because it’s got a “cafe” tank, seat, and clipons – I think it’s a beautiful twist on a legend. What do you say?