Post-Sale Update: This ELR sold for $15,600 after 30 bids on eBay. A limited edition tribute to Eddie Lawson, just 750 examples of the Kawasaki KZ1000R ELR (Eddie Lawson Replica) were built between 1982 and 1983. With the exception of subpar rear shocks, the press and the public loved this bike and how aggressively it was set up.
939 Miles – 1983 Honda XL185S
With over 30 years of life and less than a thousand miles on the odometer, this small XL is in impressive original shape. It’s not cheap, but I can’t say I’ve seen a nicer example of the breed before.
“Variant” – 1981 Yamaha XV920R Custom
View Post276 Miles – 1986 Yamaha SRX600
The SRX600 was only offered for one year in the US, though it enjoyed a bit more success in its home market of Japan. Though few were sold in the States, this mid-size standard now enjoys a cult following for riders who appreciate the styling, handling, and the fact that there’s no magic button so you have to kick over …
Honda CB500 Chopper
Here’s a slick chopper with a CB500 twin motor and a whole bunch of new parts, including the rectifier, coils, starter solenoid, exhaust, bars, tires, chain, battery, cables, carbs, and the headlights. It’s got a clean title on non-op. Seems like a cheap way to get into choppers…
1,759 Miles – 1989 Honda Transalp
In the late 80s, Honda offered both an AT and a TA – the Africa Twin and the Transalp. Both were ahead of the times, though the latter was more street-biased. Consider it a jack of all trades sort of bike with a cult following. The US only got the Transalp between ’89 and ’91.
1972 Alsport Steen Hodaka
Post-Listing Update: This Steen did not meet reserve with 12 bids up to $1,706. In 1967, John Steen discontinued the first run of his Taco mini bikes and started selling Hodakas. On the side, he also created custom dirt bikes using Hodaka engines like the 100cc Alsport Steen. Conveniently, John didn’t just sell Hodakas – he was also an importer …
Ex-WERA Champion – 1972 Yamaha TD3
Post-Listing Update: This TD3 got no interest at the opening bid of $9,000. In 1972, Yamaha updated their production racer from the TD2 to the TD3. The latter was based on the YDS7 and though it was fantastic on paper, real-world results were a bit of a disappointment as the 250cc engine had detonation issues. History has a way of …
Cheap and Getting Cheaper – 1977 Honda XL250S
As of the date of this post (5/22), this XL250 is $1,400. Every day that goes by with it still in the seller’s posession, that price drops $100.
1987 Honda Aero 50
The Aero was Honda’s first modern scooter in North America, where it was introduced in 1983. A second generation was introduced in 1985, and these have served as reliable in-town runabouts ever since. The ’85-’87 models had a 49.3cc two-stroke enigne that produced 3.9 horsepower and 3.5 pound-feet of torque. The entire package weighed 121 pounds dry. Realistic top speed …
1997 Suzuki TL1000S
Post-Listing Update: This TL did not meet reserve with $2,175 after 22 bids on eBay. Back in the 70s, the Kawasaki H2 developed the reputation of a ‘widowmaker’ thanks to incredible power with no discernible handling. When it was released in 1997, the Suzuki TL1000S also earned a similar reputation thanks to the unique rotary rear damping system. While it …
Unexpected Custom – 1965 Marusho ST 500
Post-Listing Update: This Marusho got no interest at the asking price of $7,850. A barely known Japanese manufacturer, Marusho (who built bikes under the name of Lilac) peaked in the mid 50s, though they went bankrupt in 1962 after a deal with Mitsubishi went bad. Within a year they came to life with a plan to specifically target the American …
#84 – 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1
Post-Listing Update: This R1 got no interest at the opening bid of $6,500. It can be hard for me to get excited about bone stock Japanese supersports, but this early R1 is truly worth a second look. First of all, the first generation of the R1 was something special. History looks upon it very kindly as one of the three …
1973 Honda CB450 Cafe Racer
View Post2002 Honda RC51 SP2
5-17 Update: One month later, this beauty is still up for sale. Find it with a slight discount (down to $6900) here on Craigslist in Andover, Massachusetts. The RC51 combined Honda reliability with the joy of a V-Twin engine, beating Ducati at its own game with multiple World Superbike Championships and a AMA Championship. In 2002, Honda made some revisions …