The seller of this Rapide says the bike has been given a “light custom treatment with smart usable upgrades” that also happen to make it look like a Black Shadow. In his or her mind, it’s for someone that wants the Black Shadow look without Black Shadow prices. Do you agree?
Full Custom – 1955 Triumph TR6
Normally, I’m not a really huge fan of shop customized motorcycles. I love what people do to their own rides, but normally a checkbook custom leaves me cold. This one doesn’t.
1959 Norton Dominator Deluxe
11-6-16 Update: Bob K notes that this Deluxe is back up for sale, but which a significant discount. Find it from the same seller here on Craigslist in Issaquah, Washington for $8,995. The Norton Dominator (what a great name) was released in 1949 it was the basis for the next 3 decades of Norton twins. It was conceived to challenge …
1956 BSA Golden Flash
The BSA Golden Flash (A-10) came to life in 1949 in direct response to Triumph’s 6T, and the horsepower race was on in the British motorcycle industry. The A-10 used more advanced metallurgy in motor construction and was considered the superior motor at the time. By 1954 the Golden Flash variant had a swing arm suspension and improved transmission and …
Manx Tribute – 1957 Norton International
A period build with a pre-war engine, this Norton International has been built to look like the iconic Manx. Though it’s titled as a 1957, the engine is from twenty years prior.
1956 Triumph 6T Blackbird
In 1949 Triumph stunned the motorcycle world by introducing the 6T. A bored and stroked 650 CC version of their ultra successful 500 CC Speed Twin. The 6T used the same frame, brakes, suspension and even engine cases as the Speed Twin but with significantly more power it may have been the fastest MC made in 1949. Triumph got a …
1974 Kawasaki Rickman CR900
Based on Kawasaki’s iconic Z1, the Rickman CR900 was one of the ultimate cafe racers of the time. Take a powerful Japanese motor and surround it with a nickel plated frame that allowed for much better handling from the factory, and you got one of the coolest period bikes around. According to the seller, this is one of 77 Rickman …
1974 John Player Norton Commando 850 MKIIA
11-3-16 Update: I don’t understand why sellers do this, but this has been relisted with an opening bid of $17,499 even though there was no action the last time bidding started $15k. Still, it’s a no reserve auction and the price includes shipping in the CONUS, so if you’re interested in this lovely restoration, find this Norton here on eBay. …
1 of 325 – 2015 Triumph Thruxton Ace
The new Thruxtons are in (and by all accounts, they’re a huge improvement over the last generation), which means that the previous Thruxtons are now available with a significant discount. Case in point – the last time I featured a limited production Ace Edition version, it sold for $10,100 after 27 bids on eBay. This one’s got an asking price …
1958 Triton
What do you get if you take the very best from two venerable manufacturers? In this case you get a 1958 Norton Featherbed frame with a 1978 Triumph Tiger powerplant wrapped up in custom cafe racer livery. You’ve probably heard of this mix before as a Triton (Triumph/Norton)
Ready to Ride – 1970 Triumph Bonneville
If you’re looking for a classic Brit to ride regularly, it’d be tough to go wrong with this recently restored Bonnie. It has just 85 miles on a rebuild of the top end to complement the new paint job and plenty of new parts sprinkled throughout.
1960 BSA Gold Star
Named in honor of an award at a speed trials (BSA literally received a Gold Star award) in 1937 the Gold Star was introduced as a 500 CC single in 1938. A 350 CC variant was added along the way and the model continued to 1963. One of the most successful motorcycles on the track and in the showroom in …
Ending Soon – 1974 Norton Commando Custom
Though Kenny Dreer wasn’t able to Norton back to life, he did create a small batch of Commandos called the VR880. If the general shape looks familiar, it’s because Stuart Garner acquired the rights to the Norton name and Dreer’s prototypes in 2008 – and he’s been rolling since. Heard about their upcoming 200 horsepower V4 superbike? Or the plans …
1965 BSA A65 Lightning
Introduced the 1965, the A 65 Lightning used the relatively new ‘unit construction’ motor with alternator and battery electrics. Designed to be a sporty motorcycle the motor had a serious vibration over 5000 RPM and the chassis had a tendency to weave at speeds over 90 MPH. A great innovation an oil pressure warning light was included but it malfunctioned …
In England – 1978 MV Agusta Magni 861
Arturo Magni was brought on by MV Agusta’s racing department in 1950, and he was an instrumental part of their 75 World Championships. While he’d also go on to play a big role at Moto Guzzi, the Magni name is most closely associated with MV thanks to bikes like the 861. It was the first bike Magni built with his …
