In 1959 Ducati brought out it’s most sophisticated bike to date-the 200 Elite. It was the first of Ducati’s ‘sport production’ motorcycles based on their successful single cylinder racers of the 50s. The product line would morph into the ‘Supersport’ line, but the motor was destined for another calling. It was the basis for the ‘motocross’ line which we know …
SR250 Engine – 1987 Yamaha TW200
Notice anything peculiar about this TW? See how the tank says TW250? Well, Yamaha never made a TW250 – but the builder of this oddball did. It features an engine swap from a Yamaha SR250, which doesn’t just bump up power to 20hp, it also gives a more powerful alternator and electric start.
Silver Shotgun in Holland – 1971 Ducati 350 Desmo
By the time Ducati had released the Mark 3 Desmo, they had an impressive variety of trim levels. In ’71, they added to the line up with their first ever motocross bike (the R/T), and a street bike with silver fiberglass bodywork. Two Wheels Magazine in Australia called the latter the “Silver Shotgun”, and the nickname has stuck through the …
1950 Powell P81 Custom
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this P81 sold for $3,050 with 20 bids on eBay. Powell Manufacturing switched from making radios to motor scooters in the mid 1930’s in their Compton, California plant. They went to full war production in 1942 (they built an ultra lightweight for American Airborne troops) but picked their scooters back up after the war. …
Start of a Legend – 1981 BMW R80G/S
Hindsight has shown that the introduction of the GS model line was one of the best things BMW did for their Motorrad business. But at the press launch in 1980, journalists (and the public) shared a general sentiment of “what’s the point of a large, heavy dual-purpose bike?” Modern cynics still have the same complaint as the bike seems to …
Ending Soon – 1978 Ducati 900SS Supersport
Post Listing Update: Despite 55 bids up to $30,700, this Ducati did not meet reserve. Equipped with a Imola tank, this Supersport is gorgeous, pristine, and ready for a new owner.
“El Raton Asesino” – 2014 Yamaha XV950 Custom in Germany
US readers know this bike as the Bolt, but in Europe it’s designated the XV950. Either way, when it debuted in 2013, it was probably the first true Japanese rival for the Harley Sportster. Yamaha decided to show potential customers how it could be modified by featuring the Bolt in their Yard Built program – one of my personal favorites …
1968 Honda S90
Post Sale Update: After 37 bids on eBay, this S90 sold for $3,050. We all know how Abhi feels about the S90. I am somewhere near the same. My best buddy on earth had one back in the day, and I just loved it. It still gives me the warm and fuzzies when I see a picture of one. The …
1 of 100 – 2007 Ducati SportClassic 1000 Special Edition
Post Listing Update: This Special Edition was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Current values of Ducati’s SportClassic line show that they have become quite collectible – and the most collectible of them all is the limited production “Special Edition.” Just 100 were built, and they were all for North America. 90 were sold in the US, and …
1978 Yamaha RD400E
Post Sale Update: After 26 bids on eBay, this RD400E sold for $4,191.41. When Yamaha bumped up displacement of the RD350 to make it the RD400, they also tamed the bike a bit. It was still a silly hooligan bike, but the powerband was a bit wider and the overall ride was slightly more comfortable. A hooligan bike for grownups, …
1947? Indian Papoose
I’m an Indian fan, and I’d never heard of this model. I was skeptical until I did some research and lo and behold, there it was. The Papoose was actually a rebadged Corgi model built by Brockhouse Engineering in England. The model was a civilianized version of the Welbike which was developed during WWII for British Special Forces to use …
Hondaline Fairing in Canada – 1982 Honda V45 Sabre
Here’s a first-year example of Honda’s V45 (750cc) Sabre. Within a couple of years, Honda had shrunk the bike down to 700 to circumvent the taxes imposed on 750cc and larger import bikes by the US International Trade Commission. This one stands out due to the impressive original condition and the rare Hondaline fairing.
Street Tracker – 2002 Harley Sportster Custom
This cool street tracker is based on a ’02 Harley Sportster. It’s claimed to be in perfect condition and it’s just been completed, with lots of little touches including an automotive style key ignition.
In England – 2014 Yamaha SR400 by Kevil’s Moto
Starting with a modern Yamaha SR400, Kevil’s Speed Shop has built a street scrambler that ideally gives you vintage style with modern reliability. How do you think it looks?
1963 Triumph TS20 Cub
The first Triumph Tiger Cub was born in 1954 as a little brother to the TR6. By 1963 the Cub was available in several variants including the TS20 Trials which was advertised as being as close to the Triumph ‘works’ bikes as possible. 340 of the Triumph TS20s were built in 1963 with all but 10 being shipped to the …