Post Sale Update: This Vulcan Drifter sodl for $4,550 after 54 bids on eBay. In 1994, Denny Berg worked with Cobra USA to take a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 and create an “American Classic” custom. It was a success on the show circuit, and the next year Kawi released a “Classic” version of the Vulcan. The next year, Kawasaki went back …
Street Legal Sumo – 2006 Suzuki RM-Z250
When I think of 2-stroke supermotos, I expect to see it on a race track. But this is street legal in the state of Illinois, plus the sprockets have been changed such that this bike can cruise at 60. Say hello to a crazy commuter option.
Jeremy McGrath’s Practice Bike – 1991 Honda CR250R
Post Listing Update: McGrath’s CR did not meet reserve despite 25 bids up to $5,200. If you were a fan of supercross in the 90s, then Jeremy McGrath was your king. His list of career highlights is staggering, but the highlight might just be his 7 SX championships between 1993-2000. According to the seller, this was Jeremy’s personal practice bike …
Stored Since 1986 – 1981 Yamaha XS650 Special
The Yamaha XS650 was introduced in 1970, though it wasn’t until the end of the decade when Yamaha created a “Special” variant – it featured a teardrop fuel tank, pullback handlebars, and a wider rear tire.
TZ Replica – 1975 Yamaha RD350
Starting with a RD350, the seller of this beautiful bike eventually turned it into a replica of a TZ that you can enjoy on the street. What do you think of it?
Pretty in Purple – 1973 Kawasaki H2
1973 was a very momentous year for me personally. I got married (for the first time) in June and in July I got one of the worst motorcycle injuries of my career falling off an H2. We were a couple of dreamers. She dreamed that she could drag my country farm boy butt into polite society, and I dreamed that …
Street Legal Open Class – 2006 Service Honda CR500AF-X
Though they are no longer in business, Service Honda was well known not just for supplying OEM parts but also for the creation of an aluminum-framed open class monster called the 500AF. It all started in 1997, where as a personal project Service Honda stuffed a 500cc 2-stroke motor into a Honda CR250. The results were dramatic, and Service Honda …
Ending Soon – 1978 Honda CB750A
Post Listing Update – This CB750A was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Everybody knows about the long run popularity of the Honda CB750. How could you possibly classify a CB750 as rare or unusual? Make it be a CB750A2 (1978)-only 1,700 were built. 1978 was a big model change year (CB750K for 1979) and Honda still sold …
“Frank” – 1977 Honda CB550 Custom
2-12-17 Update – Reader Bob K notes that this bike is back up for sale. You can find it for sale here on Craigslist outside of Dallas, Texas for $13,500. Post Listing Update: Frank got a healthy 74 bids on eBay, but the final result of $7,000 was not enough to meet reserve. Called “Frank” because it’s a ‘Frankenstein’ build, …
Custom Paint – 1985 Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo
Sold for two model years, the GPZ750 Turbo from Kawasaki is generally considered to be the best of the 80s Japanese turbo bikes that had a brief impact in the marketplace. 112 horsepower was good enough for a 10.7 second quarter mile – consider that a Kawasaki ZX-11 did the quarter in 10.26! This example was originally purchased by a …
Ending Soon – 1992 Yamaha FZR 600 Supersport Replica
In the early 90s, Yamaha’s primary sponsor for their AMA Supersport bike was Vance & Hines. In ’92, the Japanese manufacturer celebrated this relationship with a limited production run of FZR600s adorned with the V&H purple/yellow paint. Depending on who you ask, Yamaha made between 500-650 of these, though I can’t find an official production number anywhere.
2001 Honda CBR929RR
The 929 was the fifth generation of Honda’s CBR900. It was a solid improvement on a legendary motorcycle but by this point Yamaha and Suzuki had released new versions of the R1 and GSX-R 1000, leaving Honda lagging behind. The CBR929RR didn’t sell nearly as well as the Yamaha or Suzuki, and Honda updated the model one last time (with …
1990 Honda Transalp
In the late 1980’s Honda jumped into the Dual-Sport fray with their Transalp. Initially conceived as a 500, it was bumped to 600 (actually 583cc) by the time it was introduced in 1987. It was a V-twin 4-stroke that put out roughly 50 hp. It was actually too big to be a motocross or enduro bike, and didn’t really fit …
The Time Machine – 1972 Honda CB750 Chopper
2-8-17 Update: 14 months later, this Tracy-bodied CB is back up for sale with a lower asking price. Find it (still in Houston) with a BIN of $2,350 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This CB750 got no interest at the asking price of $3,750. Based out of Tracy, California, Tracy Fiberglass Fabricator Works used to create custom bodywork for …
In France – Clutch Motorcycles Kawasaki W650
Based out of Paris, Clutch Motorcycles has a consistent style in their builds that should appeal to those of you that prefer simplicity. Here’s their take on a 2001 W650 – Kawasaki’s competitor to the Bonneville.