1967 was very nearly the end of the line for Matchless and Norton Villers (the parent company) Leftover 1968 models were sold as 1969s but 1967 was really the last year for regular production. In the early and mid 60s Matchless had seen some serious engine problems to the point where the parent company combined the factories and started putting …
Old and New – 1975 Honda “CB450R”
Post Listing Update: This CB450R did not get any action at the opening bid of $3,550. Built by Kurt Blankemeyer of Design Cycle, this “CB450R” combines a heavily modified frame from a ’75 CB400F and mates it to a Honda CRF450R motorcross engine. It is glorious, and it’s on offer with no reserve.
Unexpected Custom – 1974 BMW R90S
Post Listing Update: This R90S was relisted a couple of times, but eventually it did not meet reserve with the bids stalling at $8,500. Obviously, BMW airheads have become a popular platform for customization in the last few years. Still, you don’t expect to see someone start with a R90S! What do you think of the end result? Before you …
The Black Racer – 2004 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans Nero Corsa
Post Listing Update: This Nero Corsa was relisted at an opening bid of $8,200, but it still got no interest. The last of the spine frame Guzzis, the Nero Corsa was a beautiful limited edition of the V11 LeMans. I’ve seen rumors that just 200 were built (50 of which made it to the US), but I have not been …
Military Cutaway – 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA
Post Listing Update: Insanely, this non-functional WLA did not meet reserve $37,100 despite 30 bids on eBay. Affectionately known as “The Liberator”, Harley-Davidson’s WLA is one of the most famous military motorcycles of all time. Unfortunately, this example isn’t in running shape, but hopefully you won’t mind because it’s a cutaway that was used to educate military mechanics on how …
Restored SWB – 1973 BMW R75/5
Post Listing Update: Despite 23 bids up to $6,580, this BMW did not meet reserve. The recipient of a recent “full restoration”, this short wheelbase slash 5 is said to start, run, and ride like a dream.
Fast Orange – 2009 KTM RC8
KTM has always built some great dirt and enduro bikes. Their top-of-the-line Adventure Series go head-to-head with BMW GS’s. Their early street bikes were mainly supermoto-type derivatives of the mid-displacement dirt bikes. Think KTM 690 Supermoto. The RC8 was their first go at the pure Superbike market. First available in the US as a 2009 model, it was an 1,148cc …
Ending Soon – 1972 Harley Davidson Baja 100
Post Sale Update: This Baja sold for $9,500 after 44 bids on eBay.
High Mileage – 1980 Yamaha XS1100 LG
Yamaha released the XS11 in 1978 as the most powerful production motorcycle on the planet. Astoundingly it was Yamaha’s first 4 stroke 4 cylinder motor ever. In 1979 Yamaha issued the XS 11 in two trim levels: ‘Standard’ and ‘Special’. This was to continue throughout the entire production run. The Special had higher bars, a stepped seat, smaller diameter rear …
New in Crate – 2009 Triumph Bonneville 50th Anniversary
Post Sale Update: This special Bonnie sold for $11,253.53 after 25 bids on eBay. The Bonneville has been around since 1959, and since that time there have been a few limited edition runs like the Silver Jubilee I’ve previously featured. In 2009, Triumph released 650 examples of a 50th Anniversary bike, and this one stands out as it’s still in …
Bicentennial – 1976 Honda GL1000 LTD
In 1975, when Honda introduced the Goldwing it was aimed completely at the American market. Soichiro turned loose his engineers and the ‘Wing came out with quite a few ‘firsts’. Start with the liquid cooled flat 4 motor, and belt driven camshafts. The alternator was gear driven from the crankshaft and rotated counter to the crank to reduce ‘shaft whip’. …
Incredible 15 Bike Collection
View PostBorn Free Best Chopper – 1963 Harley-Davidson FL Panhead
Post Sale Update: This FL chopper sold for $19,600 after 27 bids on eBay. The seller calls this “part survivor/part custom” – whatever you call it, it won Best Chopper at last year’s Born Free 7. It’s been featured in Easyriders Magazine (NSFW) and will be featured in the August issue of Hot Bike/Street Chopper.
1982 Kawasaki 650 CSR Cafe Racer
Post Listing Update: 29 bids got the action up to $6,000 but that wasn’t enough to meet reserve. In 1981, Kawasaki introduced a new generation of cruiser called the CSR. The next year yielded updates to the clutch, carb, chain cover, and fork internals – and very little of that matters with this example because it’s been customized into an …
Ending Soon – 1983 Honda CB1100F
An evolution on the CB900F, Honda’s CB1100F was a fast standard that was sold for just one year – but for that year it was king of the hill. Cycle World called it the fastest stock bike they had ever tested in a review in January 1983.