As Honda’s scramblers got bigger, they became more street focused. Cycle magazine called the CL350 not “really a scrambler at all, but a street-scrambler…doubt arises regarding the bike’s suitability for bashing around rocks and pines.” Sounds awfully similar to today’s current crop of scramblers, if you ask me.
1949 Panther Model 100
Established in 1904 Phelon & Moore’s first effort was a single cylinder four stroke that not only used the motor as a stressed member of the frame but was a two speed and was the FIRST completely chain driven motorcycle. Their first Panther was launched in 1924, but the Brand became Panther in 1930. The Panther model 100 was launched …
No Reserve – 1991 Honda Africa Twin RD04
Post Sale Update: A no reserve auction feels like the most honest way to know the value of a bike. In this case, 50 bids got this Africa Twin up to $3,501. The RD04 generation of Honda’s legendary Africa Twin was produced between 1990 and 1992 – it was the second generation. The styling was quite similar to the first …
1997 Montesa Cota 315R
Every so often I see a trials video, or catch some vintage trials at Barber and I think – I need to try that. I know I will never be a roadracer from my trackday experiences, and motocross/enduro are also pretty much out of the question as it is not a question of whether you will crash, but how much …
LA-Barstow-Vegas 2016 – Day 1
View Post1959 Ducati 200 Turismo
Post Sale Update: This Turismo sold for $8,000 after 30 bids on eBay. After the Nazis retreated from Italy the country was left in a hot mess. Not only was there extensive war damage but the Germans took/destroyed most everything that was usable as they left. There was a pressing need for cheap transportation. Enter Ducati and others to make …
1934 Harley-Davidson CB
Harley Davidson experts. I need your help. I am researching this motorcycle, and I can’t find any information to corroborate the seller’s claim that this is a 500 cc motorcycle. Everything I can find indicates that the model C was a 750 cc and the B’s were 350 CC. Bueller? Anybody??
Evel Knievel Tribute – 1985 Harley Davidson XLX-61
Post Sale Update: This XLX-61 sold for $4,000 after 37 bids on eBay. The Harley-Davidson XLX-61 Sportster was built between 1983 and 1985 – here’s an example from the last year that’s been turned into a Evel Knievel tribute.
1 of 750 – 1996 Moto Guzzi California 75th Anniversary Edition
Moto Guzzi turned 75 years old in 1996, and they celebrated with their loyal customers by releasing a special edition of the California which was limited to just 750 examples worldwide.. The special edition was $400 extra for a MSRP of $11,390.
Limited Edition in Brazil – 1986 Honda CB450E Nelson Piquet
Post Listing Update: This limited edition 450 did not get any interest at the opening bid of $5,500. In March and April of 1986, Honda Brazil produced 240 examples of a limited edition CB450 – it featured a Nelson Piquet tribute livery and a copy of his signature on the sidecover. According to the seller, just 30 examples remain and …
Coca-Cola Sidecar – 1968 Honda CT90
Were you amused by yesterday’s Coca-Cola bike? Well, here’s another one (and the asking price is much more reasonable). I hope this’ll be the end of Coke bikes for a while…
1967 Triumph Bonneville T120R
Triumph continually modified and tweaked the Edward Turner designed Bonnie through all the years of it’s production. By 1967 the Bonnie was unit construction (motor and transmission in a single case) had a significant frame improvement and 12v electrics. New for ‘67 were better rods and pistons, exhaust bracing, and a steering head lock. The ‘67s still suffered from horrible …
Jason Paul Michaels Build – 1988 Honda VT800 Cafe Racer
Post Sale Update: After 19 bids on eBay, this Shadow cafe sold for $6,100. Built by Jason Paul Michaels, this Honda Shadow VT800 (a one-year only bike) was turned into a cafe racer called “Payback.” The paint scheme is reminiscent of iconic Hondas like the Black Bomber, though the riding position is quite a bit more aggressive now!
Rare in the US – 1972 Honda CB50
Post Sale Update: This CB50 sold for $2,025 after 63 bids on eBay. When Honda introduced the CB50 in 1971, they initially sold it just in Japan. 7 years later it expanded into Europe and in was detuned in several markets so that it could be sold as a moped for access to younger riders. But the early models with …
Rare Repli Racer – 1988 Suzuki GSX-R400 SP
Post Listing Update: This little Gixxer did not meet reserve with 10 bids up to $6,450. Suzuki introduced the GSX-R400 in Japan in 1984, and it was a bit of a revelation as it was about 30-70 pounds lighter than the 400cc offerings from Yamaha and Honda. In 1988, Suzuki redesigned the bike with a new frame and they introduced …