When Kawasaki introduced the GPz550 in 1981, it was a shot in the arm of the middleweight class. Now riders could get something fast, nimble, and sporty without having to get a big bike!
Restomod – 1983 Honda CB1100F
Post Sale Update: This CB sold for $12,000 plus the 7% buyer’s fee ($12,840 all-in) on Iconic Motorbikes. It was heavy, but it was fast. In fact, when Cycle World tested the CB1100F (an evolution of the CB900F) in January of 1983, they called it the fastest stock bike they had ever tested as it was able to hit over …
Cycle Gear Giveaway – 1999 Suzuki GSX-R750 With 44 Miles
In 2000, Cycle Gear ran a nationwide giveaway promotion for a Suzuki GSX-R750 that was custom painted by Offbeat Productions with a livery that matched Arai’s Kevin Schwantz livery on their Quantum/s replica helmet.
1976 Bandit9 Ava
Based out of Southeast Asia, Bandit9 is run by Daryl Villanueva. He offers a series of customs – all of which are built in production runs of 9. The Eve was their first eye-catching model. It got picked up by all the usual news sources, and Bandit9 has responded by offering a variety of Eve models in addition to completely …
1995 Suzuki Ryca 650 CS-1
The Suzuki LS650 Savage is a simple, low-powered entry-level cruiser. A Los Angeles based company called Ryca saw a way to spice up the S40, with the Ryca 650 CS-1 kit. It takes a rather ugly semi-Sportster clone and turns it into a lithe cafe racer styled bike with some actual semblance of personality.
CA Plated – 1994 Suzuki RGV250R
Over on the auction site we’ve got an incredibly well-preserved example of a RGV250 that was the subject of a Rider magazine Retrospective by Clement Salvadori – and it’s got a California plate!
Mini-Me – 2004 Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden
Someone in Ohio’s got a Nicky Hayden RC51 in adequate condition – that by itself may or may not be worth a feature, but I love this example because it comes with a matching officially licensed Honda mini moto!
Honda NSR500 Replica with RD500 Engine
I wish I had more details on this, but it’s too good not to share. Someone’s built a NSR500 replica with a Honda RC51 frame and a Yamaha RD500cc 2-stroke engine, and it’s up for sale!
Electric Conversion – 2002 Honda XR50
A stock Honda XR50 makes about 3 horsepower and weighs 104 pounds – the seller of this example claims that it now makes 3x the power and weighs just 4 pounds more thanks to an electric drivetrain conversion. It’s currently set up “for maximum power and an irresistible fun time for all ages! The power will not disappoint!“
Resurrecting a Kawasaki KZ650 – Part 3
Turns out that even with backup, I’ve barely been making any progress on the KZ650 project that I’ve been hoping to resurrect. So now I’m being a good capitalist and just throwing money at the problem. But I’m finally getting results!
Sharkskinz History – 1998 Yamaha R1 with R7 Bodywork
Back in the days of Peak Sportbike, David Lee (the former owner of Sharkskinz) had his company build a set of bodywork to allow R1 owners to emulate the legendary R7 homologation special. The seller of this example says that he spoke to David, and he confirmed that “it’s one of either 50 or 75 kits sold.”
1982 Honda CB1123F Race Bike
This started as a CB750F Super Sport, but it has been turned into “the ultimate Freddie Spencer tribute bike that will win races.”
Still In Crate – 2007 Suzuki RM250
Dirt Bike Magazine calls the Suzuki RM250 “the best used bike ever,” though that may not be relevant with this example as it’s never been out of the crate even though it’s 15 years old.
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
Only sold in the states from 84-85, these were the first bikes in the US to come equipped with catalytic converters and the first Yamaha street bike in the US to use a perimeter frame. The ’85 RZ was available in red/white and yellow/black – either option came with Kenny Roberts’ signature on the front fairing.
1967 Honda Z50M
The first model of Honda’s legendary Z50 lineup was the Z50M, which was adorned in Shasta White bodywork with a Magna Red frame and a plaid seat. US riders rarely saw the original bike because they were initially just sold in Europe and Canada – it even took a few months before Honda offered it in its home market of …