Built by Brandon Wulf of Bavarian Cafe, this custom BMW started as a R100S. It received a ‘frame up restoration’ and gorgeous bodywork from Ritmo Sereno. This means we get to play another game of ‘how much is a custom bike worth?’
Rare in the US – 1996 Yamaha TRX850
As it was never officially sold in the US, Yamaha’s TRX850 is a bike that I’ve never heard of before. But with MCN calling it (in hindsight) “the best-kept secreting in motorcycling” and a “forgotten gem,” this bike is definitely worth a closer look. The oversimplified idea was that this was a “Ducati with Japanese reliability.“
1955 Triumph Tiger T110
The Triumph T110 was introduced in 1954 as a replacement to the T100 which was so named because it’s top speed was in excess of 100 MPH. The T110 was the world’s fastest production motorcycle in 1955 and aimed squarely at the American market. In September of 1956 Johnny Allen set the motorcycle land speed record of 214.17 MPH on …
Built like a Sherman Tank! History of the BSA WM20
View PostWidow Maker – 1974 Suzuki TM400 Cyclone
A couple of days ago I wrote up a TS250 Suzuki and mentioned this very bike. Commonly known as the most evil handling motorcycle ever built. It would actually spit you off on the straight and level if you caught the torque band just right. It had a floppy frame (I stiffened mine), poor geometry, and the motor was light …
Sitting Since the 70s – 1947 Velocette MSS 500 Custom
The seller of this bike (same guy with the nifty Triumph flat tracker from yesterday) acquired it from this father upon the latter’s death nearly a decade ago. His dad used to race it in SoCal in the 50s on hill climbs, hare scramblers, flat tracks, and more – plus at one point it was street legal, to boot.
Street Legal – Kawasaki ZX-10 Street Tracker
Many examples of Kawasaki’s literbike Ninja have been converted into streetfighters after they get dumped or wrecked…but here’s the first one I’ve seen that’s been converted into a street tracker! This looks like a very fun way to get into a lot of trouble.
No Reserve Flying Dragon – 1972 Honda CL350
Did you know that in 1972 and 1973, Honda embraced the tie dye movement with an optional set of paintwork called the Flying Dragon. It was available for the CL350 and CL450 – here’s one of the former.
1977 BMW R100S
Post Sale Update: After 26 bids on eBay, this R100S sold for $10,600. If I was shopping for a classic BMW right now, I’d look for a R100S over the iconic R90S just because of how expensive the latter has become. Here’s a beautiful example of the 100S that probably won’t be cheap either, thanks to a restoration that the …
Classic Flat Tracker – 1946 Triumph Tiger 100
This Triumph flat tracker was campaigned in Southern California in the 50s by the seller’s father. Unfortunately, it has sat since 2001 and is worse for wear – do you think it’s worth saving?
$1,495 – 1980 Honda CB400T Hawk
Why would I write up a very ordinary UJM? This is a site dedicated to Exotics, right? The Honda CB400T was as plain as could be. Because that’s what we rode. I don’t know about anybody else, but I rode a Hawk. I lusted for a CBX and would take every opportunity to head to the local dealer and dream …
Savage – 1973 Suzuki TS250
Post Listing Update: This TS250 did not get any interest at the asking price of $3,750. It was relisted at $3,250 and it suffered the same fate. Suzuki produced the Savage 250 from 1969 to 1981 and I missed it. I didn’t actually miss it, I ignored it. Completely. By 1974 I had bought a TM400 (the start of yellow …
1956 Triumph TRW500
I’ll be the first to admit, I am a sucker for a model or a designation that I don’t recognize. I’ve owned a couple of Triumphs, and I’d never seen the ‘TRW’ designation. So after an hour’s happy research I now know that is a military design, and I also know that the British Army bought almost none of the …
Number 2 – 1984 Kawasaki Ninja 900 GPZ900R
The GPZ900R was Kawasaki’s first Ninja – the beginning of a long line of iconic motorcycles. If I remember correctly, serial number 1 is currently in Kawasaki’s museum at their US headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California. According to this seller, serial number 2 is now up for sale…
1964 BSA Lightning Rocket
In the mid 1960s BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) did not want to dominate the world. They did, however, want to dominate the US Market so brought the Lightning Rocket to our fair shores. The Lightning Rocket was essentially the same as the domestic Lightning, but was tuned to be faster and quicker. The 1964 BSA Lightning Rocket featured a 654 …