SWM started building the Rotax-powered TL320 in 1977. Incremental upgrades were put into play until the bike was killed off in 1984, but the highlight of the model run was right about when this specific bike was built – in 1981, Gilles Burgat won the FIM World Trials Championship. This example has been restored so you can do your best …
1998 Bimota 500 V-Due
1-17-17 Update: This bike was pulled off eBay, and reader Henry V notes that it is now back up for sale with an asking price of $35,000 here on Craigslist. The V-Due is one of the most interesting things that ever came out of Bimota. It came out to tremendous fan-fare as the first two-stroke with fuel injection – yielding …
1958 Zundapp Bella
Zundapp was able to sell about 130,000 examples of the Bella scooter between 1953 and 1964. Engine options were a 150 (146) or 200 (198) – here’s an original example of the latter.
2000 MV Agusta F4 750
When an Italian superbike manufacturer wants to return to the international limelight it behooves them to do so with a calculated blend of panache and ferocity, as only the Italians can. In 1998 MV Agusta unveiled the F4 750, and began production for the 1999 model year with the Serie Oro (“Gold”) along with the more pedestrian “S” model, which …
1966 Benelli 250
At the time this Benelli was produced, most of their bikes were being imported into the US through Montgomery Ward under the brand name of Riverside – but this beautiful blue example is proudly displaying the Benelli logo on the tank. Ignore the MW references on the engine case and the seat that remind you that this bike was originally …
1974 Laverda 750 SFC
Post Listing Update: Despite 7 bids up to $35,000, this SFC did not meet reserve. Laverda’s 750 SFC is one of the legends of Italian motorcycles, and this one stands out thanks to a documented history and a Falloon Report from none other than Ian Falloon.
1973 Ducati 750GT
The 750GT was Ducati’s first entry into the larger-displacement category. For years they had been building very successful single-cyclinder, small displacement street, scrambler and racing bikes. The 750GT was a 90 degree twin, with bevel-driven, rather than pushrod or chain-driven cams. It did not have the famous Desmodromic valve actuation system, as it was initially designed as a touring bike …
1970 Moto Guzzi V7 Special
Introduced to the world in 1967 the V7 became a very popular platform for Moto Guzzi. By 1970 there were at least four choices of V7’s offered. Ambassador, Police, Special and Sport. The Sport became a legendary bike in short order, the Police version sold thousands in Europe and the US. The Special may be the least known of the …
1 of 300 – 2007 MV Agusta F4 1000 Senna
In 2007, MV Agusta produced 300 examples of a limited edition F4 1000R. As you can probably guess from the name, they were built to honor racing legend Ayrton Senna. Thus, a portion of the original sales were donated to the Ayrton Senna Foundation. 65 of the 300 were imported to the US, and here’s one of them.
1 of 500 – 1995 Aprilia RS250 Loris Reggiani Replica
Take one of the world’s best small sportbikes, and then add an air of exclusivity to it. That’s what Aprilia did with their legendary RS250 by honoring Loris Reggiani, the first racer who won a Grand Prix for the Italian brand. Aprilia created just 500 examples of the bike – here’s #275.
1969 Gilera 200
Like many Gileras of the time, this 200 was originally sold in Argentina. It has picked up some cafe racer styling touches over the years and was imported into the US several years ago. that polished aluminum tank looks beautiful.
1982 SWM RS250GS TF3
SWM is an acronym for one of the greatest names in motorcycling history – Speedy Working Motors. They built a series of off-road bikes, and one of the most popular was the RS250GS.
996 Engine – 2002 Ducati ST4S Custom
This one is going to need some work, but it’s an interesting custom that won Best in Show in the Retro Modern class of last year’s Bull City Rumble. It features a
Italian Made – 1940 Matchless G3L
An Italian Matchless? It’s true! The G3L was built by Matchless for the World War II – the British firm ended up producing about 80,000 examples of the model. After the war, Italy’s motorcycle industry (and frankly, all other manufacturing sectors) were in a state of disrepair. ARMA was a Matchless/AJS dealer in Milan that thought they could stand out …
Tonti Cafe – 1978 Moto Guzzi SP1000 Custom
12-30-16 Update: This Guzzi is back up for sale, bidding is currently at $4,600 with the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This Guzzi custom did not meet reserve with bidding up to $5,600 on eBay. This SP originally started as a touring bike, but this example was restored in 2013 and turned into a custom …