In the late 1980’s Honda jumped into the Dual-Sport fray with their Transalp. Initially conceived as a 500, it was bumped to 600 (actually 583cc) by the time it was introduced in 1987. It was a V-twin 4-stroke that put out roughly 50 hp. It was actually too big to be a motocross or enduro bike, and didn’t really fit …
The Time Machine – 1972 Honda CB750 Chopper
2-8-17 Update: 14 months later, this Tracy-bodied CB is back up for sale with a lower asking price. Find it (still in Houston) with a BIN of $2,350 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This CB750 got no interest at the asking price of $3,750. Based out of Tracy, California, Tracy Fiberglass Fabricator Works used to create custom bodywork for …
In France – Clutch Motorcycles Kawasaki W650
Based out of Paris, Clutch Motorcycles has a consistent style in their builds that should appeal to those of you that prefer simplicity. Here’s their take on a 2001 W650 – Kawasaki’s competitor to the Bonneville.
Yamaha Engine – 1949 Harley-Davidson Hummer Racer
I’d love to know what the builder was thinking when he put this together. Starting with a ’49 Harley-Davidson Hummer, he added a ’53 Teleglide front end and…the motor from a ’87 Yamaha YZ125!
The Bullitt Build – 2005 Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer
Post Sale Update: After 26 bids on eBay, this cafe’d Bonnie sold for $8,100. The Bullitt is a “motorcycle blog dedicated to both modern and vintage cafe racers, scramblers, trackers, bobbers and the people who ride them.” They also occasionally create some custom builds, and one of them is now back on the market.
1967 Vespa Sprint 150
In the wreckage of post WWII Italy the aircraft and maker Piaggio decided that Italy desperately needed cheap and reliable transportation. They patented their first effort in April, 1946 and had a 1947 model in production. Their aircraft heritage clearly showed in the bodywork of the newly named Vespa. By the early 1960s Vespa was being made under license in …
1978 BMW R100S
Thanks to the factory luggage and multiple tank bags, this R100S would be a great option for someone looking for a classic touring bike with some pep.
Custom Thunderbolt – 1996 Buell ST2
Motorcycle.com called the Buell ST2 Thunderbolt a touring sport bike (rather than the usual sport-touring nomenclature) because they felt Buell gave you a sport bike that had some touring features. This custom build keeps the ST2 name and motor…but not much else. What do you think about it?
Ending Soon – 1969 Honda CL350 Scrambler
Over the years, Honda’s marketing department hit a lot of home runs. “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” was one of the first, but they came thick and fast through the 60s and 70s.
1953 Harley-Davidson ST165
Part of the immediate aftermath of WWII was the Allies seizing and using certain German patents to boost their own civilian production. Among these was the DKW 125 that was copied in England by BSA (Bantam), in Russia (Mockba M1A), in Japan (Yamaha YA1) and Harley Davidson’s S125. Harley brought out the S125 in 1948 with it’s two stroke 125CC …
One Owner – 1993 Honda CBR900RR
Back in 1993, the seller of this bike was 44 years old. He had the good sense to buy one of the most revolutionary sportbikes of the 1990s, and he’s kept it until now. He’s kept it quite stock and in excellent condition, and now it’s ready for a new owner.
10,564 Miles – 1984 BMW R65LS
Between 1983 and 1985, BMW built a limited edition of their R65. Called the R65LS, it featured a polarizing front fairing that probably makes the bike look faster than the bike actually was. I dig the 80s look…you may not. This example has spent the last 28 years under a cloth cover in a heated basement, so it hasn’t covered …
Repli Racer in Belgium – 1967 Bultaco TSS 350
Between 1960 and 1970, Bultaco offered a series of road racers called TSS in displacements varying between 125 and 350. According to Mick Walker, when the 125 was released in 1960 it was the first production road race bike to be sold to the public. Near the end of the production run, Bultaco offered a ‘350’ using the new 360 …
Restomod – 1984 Honda VF1000F Interceptor
Post Listing Update: This Interceptor did not meet reserve despite 32 bids up to $4,250. In 2008, the seller of this bike took a ’84 Interceptor and restomodded it to what you see here. It was featured in the June 2014 issue of Practical Sportsbikes Magazine, who said “The overall effect is understated, subtle and very much as if Honda …
1950 AJS Model 18
AJS and Matchless were built in the AMC factory in London and were known to be nearly identical. The brothers that owned Matchless bought AJS in 1931 and formed Associated Motor Cycles in 1938. AMC also acquired Norton in 1953. The AJS Model 18 and the Matchless G80 were nearly identical until 1952 except that the magneto was located behind …