Post-Sale Update: This TL250 sold for $3,600 after 33 bids on eBay. One of the few four-stroke trials bikes of the 70s, the Honda TL250 was developed with tremendous input from Sammy Miller – the license plate of the prototype was SAM 1N. Production started in ’75, and approximately 4,000 bikes were eventually sold, most in the US. The 248cc …
Restomodded – 1991 KTM 300/380 EXC
It performs like a new bike but looks like an almost-classic. This 1991 KTM 300EXC has been given the engine, brakes, and suspension from a 2001 KTM 380EXC, creating an interesting package. As part of the mechanical changes, this bike also got NOS plastics, graphics, seat cover, and more. Unfortunately, the front light and fender are not the original KTM …
One Show Entrant – 1976 Honda CB550 Custom
Post-Sale Update: This CB550 sold for $5,000 after 48 bids on eBay. One of the bikes in last year’s One Motorcycle Show, this Honda CB550 has just 200 miles on it since it was built. The motor is out of a 1980 CB650, the forks are shortened units from a 1980 CB750, and the flat slide carbs are out of …
1968 Puch 250 SGS
Imported to the US by Sears under the Allstate brand, the SGS was Puch’s big bike of the day. It featured a distinctive split single engine – two pistons that shared the same combustion chamber. Because of this, it was also known as the Twingle.
1915 Indian C-3 Big Twin
The Indian Big Twin was the last of an era – some even consider it to be the last “real” Indian as it was the end of the F-head engine in a cradle-spring frame. 1915 was the last year of production before Indian stopped racing efforts to help with the war, and debuted the flat head V-Twin dubbed the Power …
9 Miles – 2006 Triumph Bonneville Multi-Union
4 years after Triumph’s 100th anniversary, Paul Smith designed 9 different T100 Bonnevilles, each with a custom paint job. Triumph took two of the designs and sold 50 of each – one was called “Live Fast”, the other is what you see in front of you here, a Triumph Bonneville Multi-Union.
Restomodded – 1975 Kawasaki KZ900
The culmination of a 10 year build, this Kawasaki KZ900 has been modified with Suzuki GSX-R forks, a ZRX1100 swingarm, modern brakes, and more. Probably best to consider this the equivalent of a restomodded 60s muscle car. If you want more details, the seller’s build thread can be found here. Find this KZ900 custom for sale in Reno, Nevada for …
1919 Smith Motor Wheel
Around 1910, Arthur William Wall developed a direct drive motor wheel to power a bicycle – it was the first to be powered by gasoline. 4 years later, manufacturing rights for the motor wheel were acquired by the A.O. Smith Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it led to what you see here, the Smith Motor Wheel.
1985 Moto Morini 350 K2
Normally, a 350 from Morini makes people think of the 3 1/2, but the Italian firm released the Moto Morini 350 K2 a decade later.
No Reserve – 1989 Yamaha FJ1200
A simple sport tourer, the FJ1200 has a lot of passionate fans as it was comfortable, reliable, and featured an engine that put down a lot of usable-in-the-real-world power.
1988 Ducati Paso
Released in 1986 and named after racer Renzo Pasolini, the Ducati Paso was a bike created from odd beginnings. Built during the tumultuous years when Ducati was owned by Cagiva, this bike was designed to compete with the up and coming Japanese superbikes of the time. Designed by the famous Massimo Tamburini, this bike is as enveloped in plastic as …
$1600 Adventurer – 1996 Triumph Tiger 900
Affectionately known as the “Steamer”, the first gen of the dual-sport Tiger was built between 1993 and 1998. It was a quirky option to the better known R1100GS. For more on the Tiger, check out this review from MCN. This example has 45,000 miles and is claimed to be in very good condition. The only problem is that the clock …
1969 Velocette Venom Thruxton
Post-Listing Update: After 23 bids on eBay, this Thruxton got up to $15,000 but did not meet reserve. 4-3 Update: Reader Tom D notes that this bike is back up on eBay. The first listing did not get any action at the $25,000 opening bid, so the seller is starting with a much lower opening bid and a reserve. Find …
ADHOC #8 – Yamaha XJ650 Custom
The brainchild of David Gonzalex, Ad Hoc Cafe Racers have built a series of cool customs. This is the 8th one, based on a Yamaha XJ650.
1997 Bimota Mantra DB3
The Bimota Mantra, to put it bluntly, is probably the ugliest motorcycle to come out of the Rimini company’s doors. With that said, I love that they took a chance – you may never see a bike that looks like this again.