Based out of Colton, California, the HPE Muskin Cement Corporation specialized in pool construction but when the minibike craze took off in the US they decided they could also make some money with small vehicles. I’ve featured a few examples of their most common product, El Gato
Vesco Fairing – 2013 Honda CB1100
12-6-17 Update: 18 months later, this CB is back up for sale with another 8,000 miles on the odometer. You can find it with a $1,000 discount down to $8,500 or best offer here on ADVRider (registration required). I thought this was interesting but no one commented last time around. Is the fairing too weird? The motor too weak? Asking …
1981 Kawasaki KZ440 LTD
In 1974, Kawasaki built a production plant in Lincoln, Nebraska to crank out their new mid-sized street bike, the KZ400 twin. It made Kawasaki the first international motorcycle manufacturer with a plant in the US – something they would celebrate 4 years later with an exclusive run of Americanized KZ1000s. In the early 80s, the KZ400 grew into the KZ440. …
Two-Stroke Tiddler – 1972 Suzuki AC50 Maverick
The 1960’s and ’70’s were a golden era for small-displacement bikes. One of the noteworthy little “tiddlers” from this era was the Suzuki AC50 Maverick, a 50cc scrambler produced from ’70 to ’74. The Maverick never had the same level of popularity as Honda’s Cub C110, but the AC50 supposedly held the title of world’s fastest 50cc production bike at …
Ex-Nate Kern Racer – 2007 BMW R1200S
Nate Kern’s name is synonymous with racing BMW motorcycles and the diehard fan of two-wheeled Bavarian track weapons definitely deserves some credit for helping revive the interest and popularity in racing BMW’s modern bikes in the US. The German manufacturer doesn’t have a factory-backed US race team, meaning all of BMW’s domestic competing in professional events has to be financed …
Ending Soon – 1971 Kawasaki G4TR Trail Boss
Post Sale Update: This Trail Boss sold for $2,225 after 37 bids on eBay. Kawasaki’s challenger to Yamaha’s DT100, the G4TR was also known as the Trail Boss in certain markets. It was was a light-weight, go-anywhere enduro with a 5×2 speed transmission. You could climb a 40 degree angle in first gear or keep up with traffic doing 65 …
Raced at Daytona – 1975 Yamaha TZ750-B
12-4-17 Update: Over a year and a half later, this TZ750 is back up for sale. Since that time, it looks like the only change has been the removal of the CycleWak.com sticker from the fairing. Find it with an unmet opening bid of $38,500 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This TZ got no interest at the asking price …
Gaudy and Rare Italimerican – 2006 Ecosse Moto Works Heretic
Ecosse Moto Works’ Heretic X3 is the epitome of an elite exotic motorcycle. The high-dollar two-wheeler is a combination of raw American muscle, Italian framework, and top-shelf Swedish suspension that all add up to a rather unusual sum that straddles the line between several genres of motorcycle. Only 100 of these bikes were produced, though “EMW” would go on to …
1957 BSA Spitfire Scrambler
Post Sale Update: This Spitfire sold for the BIN of $12,900. Also known as the Rocket Gold Star Scrambler, the Spitfire Scrambler is one of the rarest variations of BSA’s A10 model line up. It was an export-only bike that was primarily sold in the US and it was designed as an scrambles/desert racer from the factory. It combined a …
Purple People Eater – 1975 Kawasaki H2C 750
Kawasaki’s two-stroke triples were some of the company’s greatest bikes of all time. The legendary H2 750’s earned their “Widow Maker” nickname and were the fastest production bikes in the world upon their release. The H2C was the final version of the model and the so called “Purple People Eater” livery is reportedly the rarest of the H2’s factory color …
Factory Works Racer – 1968 Kawasaki A1R
Factory works race machines demonstrate the very best manufacturers have to offer, and this 1968 Kawasaki A1R is no exception. This example is one of two factory team specials built by Kawa and was piloted by AMA Hall of Fame inductee Ralph White at the Loudon National. This bike is NOT a production road racer and only has a three-digit …
Fighting Red – 1990 Honda Transalp XL600V
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, and it was much more …
The Grinch – 2013 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic Custom
This bike has been up for sale for 11 days but I couldn’t bring myself to share it until we finally hit December because I can’t stand it when Christmas music and decorations go up right after Thanksgiving. Obviously, I don’t expect any of you to buy it, but I thought it was worth a chuckle for the last month …
1939 DKW Diamant
Post Listing Update: This vintage DKW did not get any interest at the asking price of $2,950. In Sweden, the most popular early motorcycle was the DKW-powered Diamant. This example was originally built and sold in 1939 but due to World War II it wasn’t registered until 1946. Over 70 years later, it’s still running and rocking the original paint …
His and Hers – Pair of Yamaha Jog Scooters
When it comes to Yamaha 50cc scooters, most of you are probably more familiar with the Yamaha Riva. But for nearly a decade, Yamaha offered a “fancy” version called the Jog – complete with upgrades like a CVT and a second mirror! Ooooh. While the Jog was originally sold in 1983, it didn’t make it to the US until 1986. …