Yamaha’s G6S was a one-year only tiddler produced in 1970. Despite its short production run, it was a relatively popular model in Europe, often referred to as “bellycrawlers” due to the way riders would lay across the tank to ring out every last MPH. Everything about the G6 is pretty basic, but that was by design. By using a collection …
Ping King – 1986 Honda CR500
When first released, Honda’s CR500 was its most powerful MXer ever produced, though that power was wildly difficult to tame. The CR was nonetheless a major success and Honda opted to keep the half-liter thumper in production for more than a decade prior to be being phased out in 2001 upon the rise of the four-stoke machines and the company’s …
Showroom Clean – 1975 Yamaha DT100
Yamaha first kicked-off its DT lineup in 1968 with the 250cc DT-1 – a model that would help to usher in a new market for dual-sport machines. The DT-1 (also known as the Trail 250 in other markets) would be included as one of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan’s 240 Landmarks of the Japanese Automotive Technology. Upon its …
1974 Yamaha SC500
Post Sale Update: This Yamaha SC500 sold for $1,750 after 45 bids on eBay. When it boils down to it, I know just about nothing about the SC500. Never ridden one, never even seen one in person. I’m really just featuring it because Rick Sieman called it one of the 10 worst dirt bikes of all time and I find …
Restored – 1969 Honda Z50A
Post Sale Update: This Z50 sold for $3,700 after 31 bids on eBay. In a wonderful article on Motorcyclist, Mitch Boehm notes “that the Honda Z50 Mini Trail is probably responsible for more two-wheeled addictions than any other motorcycle on earth.” This second-year example is claimed to be “practically new” thanks to a bevy of new and refurbished parts.
Grey Import Pocket Rocket – 1989 Honda NSR250R MC18
The NSR 250R was sold as road-legal version of Honda’s 250 race bike, the RS250R, although in reality it shared no mechanical parts, just the overall image. It was, however a potent little pocket-rocket, powered by a liquid-cooled, reed valve inducted 249cc 90° V-twin two stroke engine working a six-speed transmission. Published specs put it at 288 pounds dry weight.
Restored – 1972 Suzuki T500 Titan
Post Listing Update: This Titan did not meet reserve despite 20 bids up to $6,200. Riders often like to reminisce about how much fun it could be to hit the violent powerband of a two stroke motor, but there were a few companies who thought that smokers were also ideal platforms for relaxed every day riding as well. Suzuki’s best …
Built for Trials – 1973 Hodaka Wombat 125
Post Sale Update: This little Wombat sold for $2,999 after 51 bids on eBay. Based out of North Dakota, Danny Messmore currently runs a dealership called Action Motor Sports. But for Hodaka fans, Danny is best known as one of the original dealers for their beloved bikes – and he’s built a few specials over the years as well. Here’s …
No Reserve “Custom” – 1979 Honda CX500C
Post Sale Update: This CX sold for $2,215 after 22 bids on eBay. In 1979, Honda introduced the “Custom” version of their unusual CX500. It was a common move at the time for the Japanese – release a “Custom” or “Special” version of a standard to expand the product portfolio and create a mild cruiser to appeal to American tastes. …
Well Preserved – 1986 Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R
Post Listing Update: This Ninja did not meet reserve with 25 bids up to $4,650 on eBay. In 1984, Kawasaki changed the world of sportbikes forever with their introduction of the Ninja name (did you know it was originally going to be called the Panther?) The first bike deserving of the Ninja was the GPZ900R, the first production road bike …
1972 Honda CB750 K2
Post Sale Update: This CB750 sold for $8,301 after 34 bids on eBay. Approximately 63,500 examples of the K2 generation of Honda’s CB750 were built, and thanks to a new set of OEM bodywork this looks better preserved than most. For more on the legendary CB, check out this buying guide from Silodrome.
Ride for Kids Raffle – Honda CB1100 Custom
12-25-2017 Update: Merry Christmas. The seller has withdrawn this bike from sale as “the builder says he is bummed that I am selling it so cheap.” 12-24-2017 Update: Back in July I told you about this CB1100 that was being raffled off to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The 75-year old winner of the raffle says he’s happier on …
Land Speed Record Project – 2004 Honda CBR600 F4 Special Construction
I first heard about Matt Brown on one on my favorite episodes of Jay Leno’s Garage – he bought a Honda S600 without an engine and then swapped in the drivetrain from a Honda CBR1000RR sportsbike. Jay calls him part of the “more-brains-than-money club”, and it looks like Matt’s attitude hasn’t changed as he also found himself trying to build …
1984 Yamaha RZV500R
Titled in Florida but located in Wyoming, this RZV500R is one of the rare examples that’s ready to ride in the US. It was originally offered in Japan and a few other non-US markets. The first production bike with a 2-stroke V4 engine, the RZV (also known as the RD500LC in some markets) was built as a tribute to the …
VIN 1/Engine #1 – 1985/6 Suzuki GSX-R 1100 Prototype
Post Listing Update: The BIN was reduced to $120,000 and then this bike was removed from eBay, final sale price unknown. I thought yesterday’s basically-new Bimota Tesi 1D had a significant asking price, but it turns out that the same seller has got something that they think is even more valuable – a prototype of the most iconic motorcycles of …