Post-Listing Update: After getting no action at $12,850, this was weirdly relisted at US $13,400…where it again got no interest. 2011 marked the end of two-stroke world championships – the next year, Moto3 moved to four-strokes, and Honda’s first factory effort was the NSF250R. Rules capped bore size at 81mm, revs at 14,000 rpm, and valves at four. Claimed power? …
1971 Suzuki T250 Hustler Cafe Racer
Built by Tired Cycles, this little cafe racer is based on Suzuki’s Hustler – a 247cc two-stroker from the 70s. The stock ’71 Hustler weighed 319 pounds dry and was motivated by 33 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque from the air-cooled twin engine. Obviously, this example is a bit different from stock, thanks to some parts I like: DG …
1976 Yamaha RD400
This is a first year example of the big RD – an excellent example of a hooligan bike. The 399cc engine was an evolution of the powerplant from the RD350, and it was good for 44 horsepower and a top speed of about 105 miles per hour. Thanks to a repaint and some storage, this is one of the cleaner …
Ex-Moto GP Racer – 2006 Honda/Kenny Roberts KR211V
I try to avoid featuring motorcycles for sale that don’t have an asking price, but some times, you just have to make an exception. This is one of those times. In 2006, Kenny Roberts Jr. rode this KR211V (a home-brew build from Kenny Roberts Racing powered by the engine from Honda’s incredible 250-horsepower RC211V) to two podium finishes. It is …
Stored in a Church Basement – 1982 Yamaha XJ650
Built from 1980 to 1983, the XJ650 Maxim was actually quite distinctive from a standing standpoint when it was introduced, though it’s easy to consider it typical of the time. In ’82, Cycle Magazine said “…after the wide proliferation of special styling, it’s easy to forget what a landmark bike the Maxim was…The 650 was striking, controversial, sensational, and wildly …
Back Door RC30 – Honda VFR750R in Canada
Perhaps the most iconic of Honda’s homologation specials (or maybe any manufacturer’s), the VFR750R, colloquially known as the RC30, was produced from 1988-1990, with worldwide production totaling 4782 units. Only 316 of these made it to the U.S. as 1990 models due to the EPA dragging their bureaucratic feet. In some European markets the bike was named the Bol D’or …
Honda’s Mini Sports – 1982 MB5
Mr. Honda was never a fan of the two-stroke concept. Nor was he blind to effective marketing, and by the late seventies the emerging market for lightweight sporty motorbikes couldn’t be ignored. In many countries laws limiting engine size for young riders meant a big market for 50cc machines.
Hontang – 1953 Mustang Stallion with Honda 500 Engine
Over the long life of the Mustang (which started as a homemade bike built by an employee of Gladden to commute on during World War II), there were several different models. By the time they hit Model 4, they had evolved a Standard line and a Special line, the latter of which was differentiated with performance upgrades. The Special eventually …
25th Anniversary – 2007 Honda VFR800
In 2007, Honda celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their venerable sport tourer with a special red/white/blue paint job. I always thought this paint scheme looked amazing, though the stock black wheels were a mistake – they should have been white! This example is in great shape and comes with some modifications that every sixth gen viffer should have.
Cafe Prepped – 1975 Honda CB400F
Equipped with some of the prettiest exhaust headers of the 70s, the Honda CB400F was a fairly standard evolution of the 350, though it did get a sixth cog in the gearbox. Here’s an example that’s been given a new lease on life with just a few small cosmetic tweaks – I think it looks great!
The Scamp – Honda CL360 Brat Custom
The seller of this bike calls it a Scamp – though that name has been used by Honda before, it was what the N360 car was named in Australia. Seems appropriate then, as the N360 and this CL360 were motivated by similarly-sized engines.
1965 Honda CB450 Black Bomber
Post-Sale Update: After 36 bids on eBay, this Black Bomber sold for $4,550. One of the most influential Japanese motorcycles ever, the CB450 was Honda’s first big bike, and it was quite a shock to the Brits.
1991 Suzuki Bandit GSF400
Post-Sale Update: Well, that was quick. This Bandit was snapped up for the BIN of $2,200 within 30 minutes of this post. Americans typically think of the Bandit as a 600 or 1,200, but Suzuki also made them in 250 and 400 variants – the latter of which was exported to the US for only a couple of years. The …
Rideable Custom – 1980 Kawasaki KZ750
While most of us find beauty in machines, some find art. And some, like Matthew Ortiz of Swerve Customs in Albuquerque, NM, manage to find the magic combination of practicality in design. Here, the lowly Kawasaki KZ750 LTD is transformed into such an animal.
The Other Orange Classic – 1975 Rickman Honda 750
Post Listing Update: This Rickman did not get any interest at the asking price of $18,500. The brothers Rickman made quite a name for themselves back in the day. Perhaps best known for the Rickman Metisse off-road racers, their modus operandi were their beautiful and effective nickel plated steel frames housing any manner of running gear. When the modern and …