Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Galletto (cockerel in Italian). Over approximately 15 years of production, 75,000 units were sold.
1995 Suzuki Ryca 650 CS-1
The Suzuki LS650 Savage is a simple, low-powered entry-level cruiser. A Los Angeles based company called Ryca saw a way to spice up the S40, with the Ryca 650 CS-1 kit. It takes a rather ugly semi-Sportster clone and turns it into a lithe cafe racer styled bike with some actual semblance of personality.
Pre-Motocompo Folder – 1970 Carnielli Motorcycles Moto Graziella
3/19/22 Update: Four years later, this Moto Graziella is back up for sale. Find it for $3,500 or best offer in West Palm Beach, Florida here on Facebook Marketplace. When the subject of “folding scooters” comes up, most people’s minds will wander to Honda’s Motocompo, but there are a number of other collapsible, small-wheeled scoots that predate the Honda by …
CA Plated – 1994 Suzuki RGV250R
Over on the auction site we’ve got an incredibly well-preserved example of a RGV250 that was the subject of a Rider magazine Retrospective by Clement Salvadori – and it’s got a California plate!
Mini-Me – 2004 Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden
Someone in Ohio’s got a Nicky Hayden RC51 in adequate condition – that by itself may or may not be worth a feature, but I love this example because it comes with a matching officially licensed Honda mini moto!
No Reserve – 1950 Indian Papoose
Post Sale Update: This Papoose sold for $4,800 on eBay. The Indian Papoose was a rebadged Brockhouse Corgi, itself a civilian version of the Excelsior Villiers Welbike – a single seat scooter designed to be dropped into combat situations via parachute-equipped containers, then unpacked and be ready to ride in less than 11 seconds.
Honda NSR500 Replica with RD500 Engine
I wish I had more details on this, but it’s too good not to share. Someone’s built a NSR500 replica with a Honda RC51 frame and a Yamaha RD500cc 2-stroke engine, and it’s up for sale!
1994 Harley-Davidson VR1000
In the late 80s, Harley-Davidson decided that they wanted to take a crack at AMA Superbike, where they’d be allowed to compete against 750cc fours with 1,000cc twins (just like Ducati). Homologation rules required the production of 50 bikes around the world, so Harley ended up getting the bikes certified and legalized in Germany (though the common rumor is that …
Electric Conversion – 2002 Honda XR50
A stock Honda XR50 makes about 3 horsepower and weighs 104 pounds – the seller of this example claims that it now makes 3x the power and weighs just 4 pounds more thanks to an electric drivetrain conversion. It’s currently set up “for maximum power and an irresistible fun time for all ages! The power will not disappoint!“
2016 Indian Scout
My moto-journalist buddy Justin Westbrook is selling his Indian Scout – he bought it after falling in love with one during a cross-country ride for a series in Motorcyclist magazine, but he’s been spending more time in the dirt as of late so this Scout needs a new home.
Resurrecting a Kawasaki KZ650 – Part 3
Turns out that even with backup, I’ve barely been making any progress on the KZ650 project that I’ve been hoping to resurrect. So now I’m being a good capitalist and just throwing money at the problem. But I’m finally getting results!
Sharkskinz History – 1998 Yamaha R1 with R7 Bodywork
Back in the days of Peak Sportbike, David Lee (the former owner of Sharkskinz) had his company build a set of bodywork to allow R1 owners to emulate the legendary R7 homologation special. The seller of this example says that he spoke to David, and he confirmed that “it’s one of either 50 or 75 kits sold.”
1966 Bultaco Campera
The Campera was a dual sport (complete with a cool scrambler-style exhaust) offered in varying displacements – this is a 175cc example of the first generation.
1982 Honda CB1123F Race Bike
This started as a CB750F Super Sport, but it has been turned into “the ultimate Freddie Spencer tribute bike that will win races.”
Still In Crate – 2007 Suzuki RM250
Dirt Bike Magazine calls the Suzuki RM250 “the best used bike ever,” though that may not be relevant with this example as it’s never been out of the crate even though it’s 15 years old.