Here’s a lovely example of BSA’s venerable M-21. It’s a military version that still has the sidecar fittings, but the 600cc single engine and gearbox were rebuilt 20 years ago. It has just 11 miles since the work. There’s very little left before this bike is completely finished: you’ll need to add the left side knee pad and replace the …
“Earache” – 1968 BSA A65 Custom
While writing up a Triumph Salt Flat Racer a few days ago, I stumbled upon Factory Metal Works. On their site I discovered a beautiful custom built around a BSA A65 motor – they’ve named it “Earache”, and I’m a fan.
1948 AJS Model 18 Bobber
For decades, Matchless and AJS were partnered together under the name AMC. During this time they released lots of ‘twin’ bikes – the same bikes under both names. Think of it like GM releasing very similar cars under the names of Oldsmobile (RIP), Chevrolet, Pontiac, etc. Here’s a bobber version of the AJS Model 18, twin of the Matchless G80
1946 Matchless G3L
Like the BSA M20, the Matchless G3L was produced for the British Army for World War II. Unlike the BSA, the G3L was extremely popular as it was the first bike that ditched girder forks. Matchless produced about 80,000 examples of this bike, and the government kept using them through the 60s.
1969 BSA Rocket 3
Sharing its roots with the Triumph Trident, the BSA Rocket 3 was a 750cc triple that was designed to extend the model line beyond 650 twins. It was specifically built for the US market, which wanted larger displacements and less vibrations. BSA’s financials suffered with the production of this bike, but nearly 27,500 of the Trident/Rocket 3’s were produced between …
847 Miles – 1963 Triumph Bonneville
The seller claims this is the “finest unrestored, untouched, original 1963 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle in the world.” It’s a bold claim, but I don’t have any proof to the contrary…
2013 Triumph Thruxton 900 Custom
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted twice, this Thruxton sold for a best offer less than $9,888. I’ve gotta say, the Thruxton looks good in Phantom Black with Gold Stripes. Here’s a custom version (VIN: SMT920K19DT574934) that has just 408 miles and plenty of upgrades, including Progressive Suspension rear shocks, NH stabilizer, BC airbox, a skid plate, and lots of cosmetic …
The Other Triumph – 1953 Triumph TWN Cornet
OK, this is going to need a little bit of an explanation, because most people think Triumph is an English motorcycle company. They’d be right, but they might not realize that the company was started as a bicycle manufacturer by a German named Siegfried Bettman in 1886. A decade later, Bettman created another bicycle company in his hometown of Nuremberg …
1961 BSA Catalina Scrambler
In the 1956 Catalina Grand Prix, nearly 1,000 riders came together to fight it out and earn the title of champion. The guy who succeeded was Chuck Minert, who won on a BSA Gold Star. BSA’s West Coast distributor asked for a replica of the winning bike, and the result was the BSA Catalina Scrambler.
Ready for the Salt Flats – 1955 Triumph Pre-Unit Custom
This custom Triumph was built to be raced on the Bonneville Salt Flats, though it doesn’t seem to have had its chance yet. Are you feeling lucky?
1967 Triumph TR6C Trophy
Introduced in 1956, the Triumph TR6C Trophy was named to commemorate the British firm’s success in ISDT racing. As the years passed, the TR6C evolved more into a road bike, but it still had the pedigree of an off-roader enjoyed by legends like Steve McQueen.
1979 Triumph T140D Bonneville Special
Apparently inspired by the Yamaha XS650 Special, the Triumph T140D Bonneville Special was an exercise in styling that also introduced a few features that were incorporated into future Bonnies.
Pipeburn Feature – 1974 Norton Commando 850
Two straight days of bikes previously featured on Pipeburn! Yesterday was a beautiful BSA, and today we’ve got one of the shiniest Commandos you’ll find, thanks to custom Manx aluminum bodywork and a build by the folks at 59cafe.
Agnes – Custom 1965 BSA Firebird Scrambler
The creation of Michael Alton, this BSA Firebird Scrambler was found as a basketcase before it was built into the beauty you see in front of you. Named Agnes, it was the 7th most popular bike on Pipeburn last year.
Early Fastback – Norton Commando
The seller calls this bike a ’67, though the only bikes produced that year were pre-production models for show. I’m going to assume that this is actually a ’68, which is still quite early in the Commando run. In fact, it’s early enough that this is probably one of the bikes that suffered from a weak frame and could suffer …