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1966 Triumph T100 SC

In Dual-Sport, England by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

In the mid 1960’s America went mad for dirt motorcycles. Husky, Maico, Bultaco dominated the racing, but a huge market fraction was devoted to ‘Scrambler’ type motorcycles that could be licensed on the street but ridden on the dirt. Enter the Triumph T100 SC. Most of the competition was either a dirt racer with lights or a road bike with …

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Soft Custom- 1954 Ariel Square Four

In England, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Do you remember the Johnny Cash song about building a Cadillac in his garage from parts he stole one at a time? This bike might be similar (according to the listing story). Seems there was a guy that was involved in the air freight business from the US to England that loved Ariels and he ‘found room’ on many flights …

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1969 BSA Rocket 3

In England, Sport by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Introduced in 1968 the BSA Rocket 3 was designed and built by Triumph and is essentially identical to the Triumph Trident. The 3 cylinder motor was developed from the split case twin cylinder Triumphs by adding a cylinder between the split. The result was much smoother operation than the parent motor. All the 3 cylinder motors (and the Rocket 3) …

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Part of the Legend – 1948 Triumph Speed Twin

In England by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

First offered in 1938 the Triumph 5T Speed Twin was designed by Edward Turner and was the first successful English parallel twin motorcycle and was the standard for every other English manufacturer. Sold in 1938-40 and 1947-66 (WWII intervened) it was originally manufactured in the Coventry plant which was completely destroyed in an air raid in 1940. The 5T was …

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1967 BSA Hornet

In England, Sport by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

The Hornet is one of the rarest of the BSA offerings, it was sold from 1964 through 1967 and almost exclusively in the US. Aimed at the US off road market it was known as the Spitfire Hornet in ‘64 and ‘65 but the ‘Spitfire’ was dropped for ‘66 and ‘67. The bike was sold with no lights or mufflers, …

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Thunderball Repro – 1965 BSA Lightning

In England, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

10-15-16 Update: Tom W notes that this bike is back up for sale. Even though no one seemed to want it at $10,999 8 months ago, the seller is now asking for $13,999 or best offer here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: This Lightning reproduction got no interest at $10,999. One of the coolest motorcycles to appear in the Bond franchise …

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Out of Slumber – 1968 Norton 750 Ranger

In Dual-Sport, England by AbhiLeave a Comment

Back when desert racing was the sport of kings in the southwestern United States, Rob Blair (Norton’s California distributor) shoehorned a 750cc Atlas engine into a Matchless 85CS frame. When Norton found out about it, it became “Project 11”, which was dubbed P11 when Norton officially released it in 1967. A year later the model was slightly modified to become …

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1970 BSA Firebird

In Dual-Sport, England by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After 15 bids on eBay, this Firebird sold for $5,000. The BSA Firebird was one of the best motorcycles from Birmingham Small Arms company, built just before the bike division went belly up in 1973. When the Firebird debuted in 1968, it was sold as a dual-sport, but models from 1970 on were ‘street scramblers’, which became …

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1960 Norton Dominator 99

In England, Sport by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

The twin cylinder Dominator designed by Bert Hopwood was first available as a 500 CC in 1949 and evolved into the Dominator model 99. By 1960 it had vastly improved electrics and brakes which made it a great part of Norton’s line up. A factory tuned Domiracer variant was raced in ‘61 and ‘62 and the whole project was eventually …

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1968 BSA B44 Shooting Star

In England, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times (sorry Mr. Dickens). The 1968 Shooting Star was the road version of the legendary BSA Victor, often considered BSA’s best single. In fact, the legend for BSA’s singles mostly came from the motocross track where they were dominant in the middle 60s. The actual bikes you could buy …