Trade-offs suck – especially in the world of motorcycles. If a bike design is too focused on looking good, then it may falter when it comes to performance or reliability. On the flipside, making reliability and performance the only priorities will often leave you with the bike-equivalent of a nice thermos. But what if you could find a thermos that …
Some “Outside of the Barn” Finds
I’m sure there is a gem in this pile somewhere…or not. What a shame to see all these bikes sitting in the woods and snow. I’m sure none of them “ran when parked”, but maybe there is that one piece someone has been looking for…
Just Ride It – 1975 Yamaha DT125
Editor’s Note: A few days ago, Tom Wacker featured a DT250 that was in need of a restoration. Today, Ted Clough counters with a DT125 that’s ready to go!
Curmudgeon Project Collection – 10 Bikes For Sale
Someone named Dave Nisse runs Curmudgeon Motorcycle Restoration, and he’s in the process of dumping some of his project bikes.
1984 Honda Sabre VF700S Custom
The 698cc Sabre was one of Honda’s creations built to get around the tax imposed on imported motorcycles with engines of 700cc and up. By all accounts it was a solid touring bike, but because they were sold for just two years you rarely see custom builds based on this platform. Well, here’s one of the rare ones…but do you …
Composimo Built – 2015 Honda Grom Custom
Over the years, a custom Grom built by Composimo has been the most popular post on Bike-urious. I don’t think this will be as popular, but it’s an interesting effort that was built for last year’s Handbuilt Motorcycle Show.
Restored – 1973 Honda SL70
Post Sale Update: After being relisted several times, this SL70 sold for a lowered BIN of $3,950. One of Honda’s many popular small displacement trail bikes of the 70s, the SL70 features a 72cc engine and a four-speed transmission. It was very successful with young riders who were learning how to ride dirt and motocross.
Easy Resto? 1972 Yamaha DT250
When Yamaha introduced the DT line in 1968 it was an absolute winner. Probably the first Japanese crossover bike aimed strictly at the dirt, the 1968 DT sold out before the model year was ended. By ‘72 Yamaha switched to reed valve induction which brought up the HP considerably. Yamaha also produced a motocross (MX) and enduro specific models in …
804 Miles – 2005 Honda RC51
Post Sale Update: This RC51 sold for $10,000 after 49 bids on eBay. Honda’s iconic RC51 was built in two versions – the SP1 and the SP2 (the latter was introduced in 2002). The SP2 was an accumulation of what Honda learned in World Superbike racing – it gained two horsepower and lost some weight in the process, as well. …
1975 Honda CB200T
Introduced in 1973, the CB200T was fairly popular as a cheap runabout. This restored example looks great – and with an asking price of $1,600, it can still play the role of cheap transportation in your daily commute.
“Woody” – 1979 Honda CX500 Custom
I don’t understand this listing, and I don’t really like the bike. The combination of the two is just so odd that I feel obligated to share it. So, what the heck are we looking at?
Sitting Since 1983 – 1975 Kawasaki Z1 900
Post Sale Update: This Z1 sold for $12,001.69 after a whopping 114 bids on eBay. Prices for Z1s have been steadily increasing, which is why I’m no longer surprised when I see bidding approaching $10k for a one-owner example that hasn’t been registered in over 30 years.
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
Here is a 1984 Yamaha RZ350. One of the last two-strokes available in the US (other than pure dirt bikes). Yamaha put out a special Kenny Roberts Edition, with the bumblebee paint scheme and Kenny’s signature on the bikini fairing. Cycle World rated this a “Perfect 10” on the fun scale in their review of 1984. The stock RZ350 made …
Red White and Blue – 1987 Honda XL600R
Post Sale Update: After 49 bids on eBay, this XL sold for $2,750. Honda’s XL/XR series has been the mount of choice for enduro riders for decades. Most have been adorned in the traditional Honda red, but here’s an example of my favorite paint scheme of the XL600R – a patriotic red, white, and blue.
Freddie Spencer Tribute – 1985 Honda NS250R
Fast Freddie Spencer won the 1982 Belgian and San Marino Grand Prixs with Honda’s first liquid-cooled two-stroke three-cylinder engine. That iconic bike provided the inspiration for this NS250R – which is a little weird considering Freddie won a 250cc championship in ’85, and that might have been bike for source material.