Post-Sale Update: This custom CB160 sold for $1,850 after 26 bids on eBay. This interesting custom was built by a Connecticut craftsman who went by the name of “Flat-Head Jack.” The New England Motorcycle Museum acquired 26 of Jack’s bikes for their upcoming collection, however they’ve run into some financial issues and are liquidating some motorcycles to try and salvage …
Eddie Lawson Replica – 1983 Kawasaki KZ1000R2 ELR
Post-Sale Update: This ELR sold for $15,600 after 30 bids on eBay. A limited edition tribute to Eddie Lawson, just 750 examples of the Kawasaki KZ1000R ELR (Eddie Lawson Replica) were built between 1982 and 1983. With the exception of subpar rear shocks, the press and the public loved this bike and how aggressively it was set up.
939 Miles – 1983 Honda XL185S
With over 30 years of life and less than a thousand miles on the odometer, this small XL is in impressive original shape. It’s not cheap, but I can’t say I’ve seen a nicer example of the breed before.
In Italy – 1974 Laverda SFC 750 Mk2
Post-Listing Update: This Laverda did not meet reserve despite 37 bids up to $36,455. One of the most famous motorcycles to ever come out of Italy, the Laverda SFC was a half-faired beauty built for competition. SFC stood for Super Freni Competizione, or “Super Brakes Competition.” The brakes weren’t the only thing that were super – the engine got bigger …
“Variant” – 1981 Yamaha XV920R Custom
View Post276 Miles – 1986 Yamaha SRX600
The SRX600 was only offered for one year in the US, though it enjoyed a bit more success in its home market of Japan. Though few were sold in the States, this mid-size standard now enjoys a cult following for riders who appreciate the styling, handling, and the fact that there’s no magic button so you have to kick over …
Honda CB500 Chopper
Here’s a slick chopper with a CB500 twin motor and a whole bunch of new parts, including the rectifier, coils, starter solenoid, exhaust, bars, tires, chain, battery, cables, carbs, and the headlights. It’s got a clean title on non-op. Seems like a cheap way to get into choppers…
Ending Soon – 1967 BMW R69S
Post Listing Update: This R69S did not meet reserve despite 27 bids up to $12,600 on eBay. This R69S has the patina of over 50,000 miles of use and as the seller says, “it would be a shame to restore this bike.” It’s a motorcycle from Mike Wolfe (you may remember that name from the TV show American Pickers).
1,759 Miles – 1989 Honda Transalp
In the late 80s, Honda offered both an AT and a TA – the Africa Twin and the Transalp. Both were ahead of the times, though the latter was more street-biased. Consider it a jack of all trades sort of bike with a cult following. The US only got the Transalp between ’89 and ’91.
1972 Alsport Steen Hodaka
Post-Listing Update: This Steen did not meet reserve with 12 bids up to $1,706. In 1967, John Steen discontinued the first run of his Taco mini bikes and started selling Hodakas. On the side, he also created custom dirt bikes using Hodaka engines like the 100cc Alsport Steen. Conveniently, John didn’t just sell Hodakas – he was also an importer …
1913 Flying Merkel
Built between 1911 and 1915, the Flying Merkel is one of the most iconic American motorcycles of all time. These are so cool that I’m going to break my personal rule of only featuring bikes with asking prices because I just want to make sure you’re aware of it.
Ex-WERA Champion – 1972 Yamaha TD3
Post-Listing Update: This TD3 got no interest at the opening bid of $9,000. In 1972, Yamaha updated their production racer from the TD2 to the TD3. The latter was based on the YDS7 and though it was fantastic on paper, real-world results were a bit of a disappointment as the 250cc engine had detonation issues. History has a way of …
Cheap and Getting Cheaper – 1977 Honda XL250S
As of the date of this post (5/22), this XL250 is $1,400. Every day that goes by with it still in the seller’s posession, that price drops $100.
1987 Honda Aero 50
The Aero was Honda’s first modern scooter in North America, where it was introduced in 1983. A second generation was introduced in 1985, and these have served as reliable in-town runabouts ever since. The ’85-’87 models had a 49.3cc two-stroke enigne that produced 3.9 horsepower and 3.5 pound-feet of torque. The entire package weighed 121 pounds dry. Realistic top speed …
Gigantic Custom Diesel Trike
I don’t really understand why, but it looks like the story of Emile Leray is making the rounds online again because I’ve been emailed about it a bunch of times in the past two days. It’s been 20 years since he escaped the desert with his hacked up motorcycle and four years since the last time this story got attention …