Honda’s CB750 was a game changer when it was first released, but by 1975 the bike had been overshadowed by the Kawasaki Z1. Honda responded with the F Super Sport alongside the K5 model. The F got a new gas tank, a rear disc brake, and a 4-into-1 exhaust. Other modifications improved horsepower and the chassis – Cycle magazine said …
Rare Project – 1961 Parilla Clipper 350
Parilla is an Italian motorcycle company formed after World War II. Famous for their “high cam” engines, they made several different model bikes, mostly small-displacement utilitarian and commuter bikes for the postwar market. Some models were imported to the US, and supported by Cosmopolitan Motors until the late 60’s. This is a rare, twin-cylinder, 350cc “Clipper” model. Acccording to the …
“Krazy KZ” – 1978 Kawasaki KZ400
Built by Seth Hensler, this KZ400 was originally acquired for just $100 before he customized it into what you see here. There’s several clever bit, including a tail section made from a BMX helmet and a speedo from an airplane that’s driven off a pitot tube which measures air speed.
1999 MV Agusta F4 750 Serie Oro
Back in 1999 MV Agusta relaunched their brand with the F4 Serie Oro (Italian for “Gold Series), a cutting edge bike at the time of which only 300 units would be produced with 60 of those units shipping to the US. The F4 was a product of legendary moto-designer and Bimota cofounder; Massimo Tamburini, shortly after he designed the iconic …
1967 BSA Thunderbolt
5-12 Update: Rob B notes that this bike is back up for sale with a hefty discount down to $3,300. Find it here on Craigslist. The baby sister of the Lightning, BSA’s Thunderbolt got the usual 650cc twin but it was paired with just one Amal carb compared to the two carbs of the faster Lightning. Known internally as the …
1965 Yamaha YM1
In 1953 Japanese musical instrument maker Nippon Gakki decided to use some idle manufacturing capacity to build motorcycles. Named after one of the founders of the company, Yamaha produced their first motorcycle the YA1 based heavily on the DKW 125 design liberated from post war Germany. By 1957 Yamaha had developed a 250 CCtwo stroke twin cylinder that became the …
2 of 17 – 1941 Harley-Davidson TA Knucklehead Trike Projects
Post Listing Update: These TA projects did not meet reserve with bidding stalling at $51,350. This won’t be cheap or easy to finish, but it’s a hell of a find that someone needs to take care of. The Wheels Through Time museum has 2 of the 17 Harley TA bikes ever built, but they’re incomplete. What’s a TA, you ask? …
1972 Honda CB175
Introduced in 1969 the CB175 was one of three ‘175’ models available from Honda. The CL Scrambler, the CD Motorsport and the CB Supersport. Good savvy marketing from Honda allowed them to sell essentially the same motorcycle in three variants.
Ending Soon – 2007 BMW R1200S
Post Sale Update: After 25 bids on eBay, this R1200S sold for $5,750. “Born in heaven, raised in hell.” That was one of the slogans BMW used when they introduced the R1200S, an evolution of the R1100S that fell much more on the ‘sport’ side of the sport-touring equation. It was the sportiest boxer twin BMW had ever built, and …
1965 Montesa Impala Sport 250
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Impala Sport sold for the BIN of $10,500. Montesa was formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Paco Bulto. After some significant success in racing and sales Bulto left the company (leading to the formation of Bultaco) in 1958. By 1960 Montesa had brought out it’s first Impala, a 175 CC. 1965 saw …
2000 AXR 1200 Cafe Sportster
View Post1972 Benelli 250 Super Sport
Post Listing Update: This Benelli did not meet reserve despite 31 bids up to $4,150. Here’s a beautiful Benelli that features one of the last uses of the “Power Egg” motor.
Ending Soon – 1993 Ducati 900SS Cafe Racer
This 900SS was cosmetically customized by the seller – he finished a month ago but needs to sell this for financial reasons. What do you think of it?
1977 Yamaha XS750
Yamaha officially entered the ‘big bore’ wars in 1973 with the TX 750 twin. Using two balancers that made the twin as smooth as any four it made an immediate impact on the market, until the balancers started failing and Yamaha couldn’t give the TX away. Fast forward four years to 1977 and Yamaha was back in the big bore …
1974 Hodaka Road Toad
When it comes to naming motorcycle models, Hodaka might win. Rat. Super Rat. Dirt Squirt. Combat. Wombat. Wombat Combat. Ace. Road Toad. Hodaka was a Japanese motor builder for Yamaguchi motorcycles in 1963 when Yamaguchi went bankrupt. PABTCO, based in Athena, Oregon went looking for a replacement to fill the void left in their sales niche. The fact that PABTCO’s …