Named after the ICBM, the Norton Atlas was released in 1962, earning a so-so reputation before being replaced by the classic Commando. Built to appeal to American aesthetic preferences, it was initially only produced for export. The Atlas produced 55 horsepower, with plenty of torque available low in the rev range. Utilizing Norton’s famous Featherbed frame, the bike weighed about …
Never Ridden – 1977 Yamaha XT500
Post Sale Update: This XT sold for $14,500 after 57 bids on eBay in Chicago, Illinois. From the seller of the never ridden YZ80 yesterday comes something just as pristine but a bit bigger. The Yamaha XT500 was the original Yamaha thumper, and an instant sales success. This enduro bike was produced for 15 years, eventually leading to an entire …
1973 Laverda 3C
Post Sale Update: This Laverda sold for $11,200 after 17 bids on eBay in Knoxville, Tennessee. Predecessor to the Jota, the Laverda 3C was the Italian firms’ first three-cylinder engine. Dry weight was just shy of 500 pounds, and it was the bike that introduced the 180 degree cylinder arrangement that gave certain Laverda triples a noise that passionate fans …
1975 Rockford Taka 100
Rockford Motors was the American importer for Bridgestone, but when the Japanese firm stopped selling bikes in 1971, Rockford had a bit of an issue. They made a deal with Bridgestone to take over manufacturing rights for the 3 smallest bikes – two 60cc models called the Tora and the Chibi, as well as the 100cc Taka you see in …
Zero Miles – 2003 Cannondale X440
Post Listing Update: This Cannondale did not get any action at the BIN of $4,800 on eBay. The Cannondale X440 was the swansong of Cannondale motorcycles, a subsidiary of the well-known American bicycling company. In the late 90s, Cannondale tried to move into motorsports, with an off-road bike and an ATV. Long story short, it was a disaster. $80 million …
Nice Price – 1989 Yamaha FZR750R OW-01
We’re making today a Yamaha day, and we’re concluding (unless you’re reading this on the daily email, where you’ll see this post first!) with one of the most special machines to ever come from the Japanese firm. I’ve featured a few OW-01s over the years, and even when they don’t meet reserve the bidding stops well north of $15k. The …
1977 Yamaha RD400
The RD400 came about when Yamaha made the RD350 a bit bigger in 1976 – displacement was 399cc. Thanks to 44 horsepower, the bigger RD was capable of hitting the ton with a top speed of 105 miles per hour. Most people know the 400 simply for being an easier to ride upgrade over the 350, but it was also …
Never Ridden – 1978 Yamaha YZ80
Post Sale Update: This YZ80 sold for $9,551 after 49 bids on eBay in Chicago, Illinois. Last week I featured a FZR1000 from a seller I trust in Chicago, and he let me know that he was about to list a couple of never ridden 70s Yamahas. Looks like they’re live now, and we start with a YZ80.
Restored – 1958 Indian Lance
Post Listing Update: This Lance did not get any action at the opening bid of $6,900 on eBay. Between 1955 and 1960, the Indian marque was owned by an English firm called Brockhouse Engineering. During this time, they imported Royal Enfield bikes under the Indian name. This Indian Lance was a variant of the Royal Enfield Ensign, a 148cc descendant …
1981 Ducati Pantah 500SL
Post Sale Update: This Pantah sold for $8,100 after 6 bids on eBay in Mahwah, New Jersey. 6-14-20 Update: 8 months later, this Pantah is back up for sale and it looks like it’s going to have a new owner as it has already met reserve. Find it with bidding up to $7,099 in Mahwah, New Jersey here on eBay.
Motobi Tribute – 1972 Benelli Sport Special Custom
Post Sale Update: This Benelli sold for $4,300 after 11 bids on eBay in State College, Pennsylvania. Benelli and Motobi merged in 1962, and the resulting company performed a GM-esque bit of brand engineering by offering up similar bikes under different names. One of those pairings was the Benelli Super Sport (also known as the Sport Special in Europe) and …
Ending Soon – 1968 Honda CB450 K1
Post Listing Update: This CB450 did not meet reserve despite 26 bids up to $4,250 on eBay in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The K1 CB450 was a one year only bike, and it was the last Honda to rock chrome panels on the gas tank.
Ex-MotoGP in England – 1993 ROC Yamaha YZR500
As Mat Oxley argues in this piece called The Day MotoGP Nearly Died, ” the early 90s were the “nadir” of premier-class motorcycle racing. “The reasons for the empty grids were simple: there was no money, there were no bikes and the bikes that were there kept hurling their riders to the ground and breaking their bones. Too many riders …
Zero Miles in Canada – 1995 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
Introduced in 1994, the ZX-9R was Kawi’s response to the instant classic Honda CBR900RR. It made a bit more power but it could not compete on weight, and Kawasaki lagged behind in sales. Weight won’t be an issue with this one, as I doubt it’s ever going to get ridden – the odometer shows less than 1 kilometer on it!
50th Anniversary Euro Bodywork – 1989 Honda Transalp
Post Listing Update: This Transalp did not get any action at the opening bid of $4,250. 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 …