Known for being the last “cammy” Velocette, the KSS was produced in varying forms from 1927 all the way through 1948. A toned down variant of their production racers (which were replicas of the Works racers), the KSS is usually translated as “Kamshaft Super Sports” – though as Paul D’Orleans notes in the comments, the Kamshaft is a ‘nonsense word.’ …
1956 BSA Catalina Scrambler
In the 1956 Catalina Grand Prix, nearly 1,000 riders came together to 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. For more information, check out this feature on Chuck …
1951 Sunbeam S8
After WWII, as part of reparations, BMW gave up its designs of the BMW R75. Bikes like Chang Jiang and Ural used these designs, but England’s take was the Sunbeam S7. You can see the BMW influence when you look at a side profile, but Sunbeam wanted to differentiate themselves by utilizing a inline vertical twin instead of the German …
1953 Rickman Metisse Mk III
Post-Sale Update: This Rickman Metisse Mk III sold for $12,200 on eBay. More classic British bike goodness, though this auction expires soon. The Rickman Metisse Mk III was an enormous success that provided many riders a base for either street-based roadsters or dual-sport scramblers. This is one of the latter, powered by a Triumph 500cc twin engine.
Chrome Classic – 2012 Royal Enfield C5
The other bikes featured today are classic Brits, but here’s a modern bike from India with classic British looks. Close enough? Royal Enfield has had some success with the C5 since bringing it back to the states, thanks to updates including a unite construction engine, fuel injection, and other modern features that belie its classic good looks. This example stands …
1936 Ariel Colt
In honor of the BSAOCSC All British Run this Sunday, today I’m going to feature a few classic British motorcycles. Here we’ve got an Ariel Colt, a simple 250cc OHV single.
2009 Triumph Scrambler Custom
Launched in 2006, the Triumph Scrambler was the last bike designed by John Mockett, responsible for most of Triumph’s bikes starting all the way back in 1989. Mockett liked modular design plans, which is why the Scrambler is basically a Bonneville with a few off-road tweaks.
1952 Vincent Rapide Series C
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.
1966 Triton Featherbed Slimline
This Triton has been built almost entirely by parts acquired from Unity Equipe, a UK specialist. It has just 470 miles, and the seller calls it ‘essentially new.’ The bike has been sitting around for years as an uncompleted collection of parts until the seller put it together over three years – and got a title for it. Its first …
1959 Panther Model 120
Built by Phelon and Moore between ’59 and ’66, the Panther Model 120 was an upgrade of their previous Model 100 – but unfortunately the upgrade earned a reputation for being less reliable. Competition advanced quicker than the Panther did, and the model was killed after only about 2,500 were built.
1970 Triumph Lyster LaBelle Racer
Two straight days with older Triumph racers! This one is a rare Triumph Lyster LaBelle Racer, named after the two gentlemen who were instrumental in its creation – Colin Lyster, a well-known frame designer of racing motorcycle frames, and Ed LaBelle, a former Canadian National Champion roadracer.
AHRMA Champion – 1971 Norton Commando
The Norton Commando is not a bike I’d associate with AHRMA Open Class racing, but today we’ve got a “recent” class champion available that’s been completely rebuilt, with the addition of lights for street riding. Interestingly enough, it has the front forks and wheels from a CZ motocross bike to help off-pavement. Find this Norton Commando for sale in Pleasant …
1958 Triumph Tiger T100 Racer
About a week ago, I featured a Triumph Tiger T90 from nearly 70 years ago. Let’s fast forward a couple of decades, to the Tiger T100. Here’s a ’58 model that was converted into a racer about 20 years ago.
1962 BSA C15
The BSA C15 was BSA’s first four-stroke unit-construction bike. A 250 cc single-cylinder, it was very popular with learners in the United Kingdom because at the time, a 250cc was the biggest engine that beginners could use. BSA also made the C15T (Trials), which opened up access to the dirt. For more information, head on over to bsa-c15.org. Find this …
1959 Triumph Bonneville T-120
Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Triumph Bonneville T-120 sold for $15,100. The Triumph Bonneville T-120 might be the quintessential example of the classic British bike. And today, we’ve got a first-year example of the vaunted Bonnie with just 4,623 miles.