H2 750, Mach IV, Widowmaker – Kawasaki’s legendary two-stroke triple has gone by many names over the years, but
Pick Your Custom – Yamaha XS650/Suzuki GS750/BMW R65LS
This week on the auction site, we’ve got a trio of 650-ish customs. Which would you want to take home?
1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport
Honda’s CB750 was a game changer when it was first released, but by 1975 the bike had been overshadowed by the Kawasaki Z1. Honda responded with the F Super Sport alongside the K5 model. The F got a new gas tank, a rear disc brake, and a 4-into-1 exhaust. Other modifications improved horsepower and the chassis – Cycle magazine said …
Original Owner – 1990 Honda CB-1
Originally built for the Japanese market, the Honda CB-1 was a beautifully balanced motorcycle that lost out in an American market that was obsessed with having as much horsepower as possible. On the flip side of things, Japan had a very competitive 400cc market due to a combination of regulations, licensing rules, and taxes. Cycle World called this “a great …
2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII
The aptly-named Voyager officially started in 1983, however Kawasaki previewed it with the “Touring” variant of the KZ1300 back in 1980, which featured a fairing, trunk, and bags. The original Voyager, released in 1983, had the touring features integrated much better in Kawasaki’s attempt to compete with the Gold Wing – like the Wing, it also featured a six-cylinder motor. …
Original Owner – 1974 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV
Post Sale Update: This H2 sold for $13,000 after 40 bids on eBay. I’ve featured a few H2s over the years, but this one truly stands out as it’s being sold by the original owner – plus it’s in the Candy Gold Brown paint job that wasn’t particularly popular when the bike was new, so they don’t show up very …
Period Custom – 1973 Yamaha RD350
Post Listing Update: This RD350 did not get any action at the BIN of $9,000. The colors are jarring, but the components are impressive! The story here is that this was built in the early 70s by Dave Boyer with “the best off-the-shelf parts you could get at the time…for a local collector/private museum where it sat unused for the …
Yamaha Champ CJ50RS
Post Sale Update: This Champ sold for $2,000 in Marina del Rey, California on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Over on the auction site, we’ve got an adorable two-stroke scooter than was never officially sold in the US.
In Canada – DR BIG – 1988 Suzuki DR750S
Post Listing Update: This DR750 did not get any action at the opening bid of $6,000. The DR750 was also known as the DR BIG, meaning it’s got one of the best model names in motorcycling history. It also had the world’s largest single cylinder engine used in a production bike – at least until Suzuki bumped up displacement to …
Never Ridden – 1982 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim
Post Sale Update: This Maxim sold for $10,499 after 47 bids on eBay in Chicago, Illinois. My buddy in Chicago is continuing his run of never-ridden Yamahas. You may remember his XJ650 Maxim that was still in the crate? Well, here’s a slightly bigger brother that’s bene assembled but has never been ridden.
1965 Yamaha YDS3C Big Bear Scrambler
Post Listing Update: This Big Bear Scrambler did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $5,101 in Chicago, Illinois on eBay. Even though Yamaha never won the Big Bear race (a run to Big Bear Lake through the Mojave desert), they took the name for 125, 250, and 350cc scramblers. Yes, it’s from the same seller that’s been listing …
No Reserve – 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000
Post Sale Update: This KZ sold for $8,200 after 46 bids on eBay in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. “Riding one of Kawasaki’s big fours means never having to be sorry there’s not more power.” So begins a February 1977 review in Cycle magazine about the KZ1000. Here’s a one-owner example with a few mods that looks like it’s been well-kept.
Rare in the US – 1994 Honda QR50
Post Listing Update: This QR50 was pulled off of eBay “because there was an error in the listing,” final sale price unknown. Built as a rival to Yamaha’s PW50, the Honda QR50 was never officially sold in the US. It was, however, sold in Canada in 1983 and 1984, so a few have made their way across our northern border. …
Back In Time Review – 1985 Yamaha RZV500R
View PostRare in Blue – 1999 Yamaha R7 OW02
The Yamaha R7, also known as the OW02, was a ready to race World Super Bike (WSB) racer with the necessary trimmings (lights/signals/plate) necessary to make it street legal right from the factory floor. Prices were incredible – with an MSRP of approximately $32,000, it was twice as expensive as Honda’s RC51 SP-1, but it was worth every penny for …