Post Listing Update: This CL “sold” for $7,100 after 31 bids on eBay but the sale did not go through. It’s not often we ordinary mortals get a shot to buy a famous builders personal ride, and it’s even less common that it’s an unusual custom. Jay LaRossa built this bike for himself as therapy from his second bout with …
1966 BSA 441 Victor
BSA poured a lot of money and time and talent into the 500 CC class motocross program in the early 1960s that paid off in spades. The B 40 (introduced in 1962) sported a 343 CC single that competed and sold well. It was the English Army’s standard motorcycle until 1970.
2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200
Post Listing Update: This XR1200 got not interest at the BIN of $6,899. Ask a sport bike rider what their favorite Harley is and there’s a good chance their answer will be “none of them.” But for those in the know, the XR1200 was an unexpected joy from Milwaukee, the land of big twins and relaxed riding styles. Clearly drawing …
1989 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Slingshot
Post Sale Update: This Gixxer sold for $7,600 after 22 bids on eBay. In 1988, Suzuki released the 2nd generation of their legendary 750 Gixxer. It was dubbed the “Slingshot” due to the slingshot carbs. A year later, Suzuki made some minor revisions, yielding the bike you see here. The seller says it’s a former JDM model but the gauges …
Ending Soon – 1974 BMW R60/6 Tourer
Post Listing Update: Despite 41 bids up to $3,100 on eBay, this /6 did not meet reserve. Between 1974 and 1976, BMW offered the “slash 6” generation of the boxer twin. The smallest was the R60/6, with a 599cc motor that produced 40 horsepower and 36 pound-feet of torque. That might not make it the most suitable option for a …
Restored – 1951 Vincent Black Shadow Series C
The Black Shadow might just be the most famous motorcycle ever built, with an iconic history thanks to moments like Rollie Free’s bathing suit speed run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Black Shadows were handmade, and less than 1,700 were built in total. In the words of Hunter S. Thompson, “If you rode the Black Shadow at top speed for …
2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory
Aprilia updated their liter bike in 2004 with the RSV1000R, and it was perfect for riders who demanded a rare, street-legal track weapon. A “Factory” version was also available, and it stood out with carbon fiber bodywork, fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, and forged aluminum wheels. Though it was exquisite, fast, and beautiful, it did not sell as well as it …
1979 Kawasaki Z1300
Post Listing Update: This Z1300 did not meet reserve with just one bid up to $5,000. The ‘fuel crisis’ of 1973 put an end to the rapidly developing horsepower wars from motorcycle manufacturers. Everybody went to lighter, more efficient bikes that got better gas mileage with less emissions. It was the beginning of the end for the two stroke road …
Ending Soon – 197x Chaparral T95
In the 70s, snowmobile manufacturer Chaparral saw how popular dirt bikes were becoming, and wanted to get in on the craze. Among other models, they made a pull-start mini called the T95. The 96cc 2-stroke Fuji motor was good for 6 horsepower, and wet weight was just 130 pounds. Don’t get too excited, though – the infinitely variable torque converter …
Brought Back to Life – 1957 Husqvarna Model 32 Sport
Post Listing Update: This Model 32 did not get any interest at the asking price of $6,000. It was later relisted for $5,900 with the same result. Founded as a weapons factory by order of the King of Sweden in 1689 in Huskvarna, Sweden the company began making motorcycles in 1903 following a successful line of bicycles. Husky won their …
Ending Soon – 1988 Ducati 851 Tricolore
Thanks to the 851, Ducati became competitive in World Superbike again – the model debuted in 1987 and Ducati won WSBK in 1990. Per Superbike rules, Ducati was obligated to build 200 examples for homologation, so they created 207 “kit” bikes in a Tricolore scheme. Estimates suggest that 20 were brought to the US. Some of the kit bikes were …
Ending Soon – 1962 Harley-Davidson FLH Panhead
Good photos make a for sale listing so much better, and the snaps of this Panhead kept bringing me back to it. There’s some modifications that you might not agree with, but you can’t deny this bike looks good.
Custom Paint – 1973 Norton Commando 750
After the debacle of the Combat engine, Norton was glad to move on into the MkV forms of the Roadster, Interstate, and Hi-Rider. In the process, they got rid of the Fastback. Commando fans will note that this paint livery is similar to what was on the 850 bikes – that’s because this roadster was recently repainted with the iconic …
Unexpected Flat Tracker – 1962 Ducati Diana 250
Post Listing Update: This Diana flat tracker did not meet reserve with 19 bids up to $3,050. According to the seller, this Ducati Diana was at one point a dirt track racer – though there’s unfortunately no proof of it in the listing. How awesome would it be to see some vintage photos of this thing sliding around? It has …
Last and First – 1948 Harley Davidson FL
Big news from the motor company in 1948 – the motor that would soon become known as the Panhead. Not only was the shape of the rocker covers different, but the heads were aluminum alloy (as opposed to cast iron) which greatly helped the cooling. The cam and rocker arms were redesigned to facilitate oil circulation and hydraulic lifters were …