Sunbeam developed their first OHV motors in the mid 20s, and their 492cc “Longstroke” motor was particularly successful in racing and street trims. The street bike took its name from the motor, and it was known as the Model 6 Longstroke until the early 30s, when the bike was refreshed and renamed to the Lion.
Rare Running Project – 1985 Pulse Autocycle
Post Sale Update: This Autocycle sold for $8,600 after 71 bids on eBay. It probably comes as no surprise to learn the Pulse Autocycle was the brainchild of an aircraft designer. Jim Bede is best known for bringing the world the BD-4 and BD-5 aircraft kits — the latter of which made an appearance in the 1983 James Bond movie …
1935 Indian Dispatch Tow
Post Sale Update: This Dispatch sold for $32,500 after 22 bids on Bring a Trailer. According to The Iron Redskin, the Indian Dispatch Tow was built to fix a problem that a Packard dealership was having near the Indian plant. The dealer wanted a way to deliver customer cars without requiring an additional employee with a car to go alongside. …
From the Quail to On Sale: Revival Cycles’ “Odioso” Ducati Sidecar Crosser
Back in February, Abhi shared a video of Revival Cycles’ bonkers Ducati ST4-based sidecar cross build, entitled “Idioso”. Commissioned by Rebel Yell Bourbon – the same brand that commissioned Classified Moto’s “Frank”, a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple build with a rear ATV wheel – Odioso was built for a contest giveaway, though it now appears whoever was lucky enough to …
Film Platform – 1991 Honda Gold Wing GL1500
This Gold Wing was built as a camera vehicle – there’s not much that the average rider is going to do with this, I just think it’s cool!
1972 Harley-Davidson FLH Police Sidecar
Post Listing Update: This interesting police sidecar was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Factory police sidecars are quite rare (in fact, nowadays they’re just about non-existent), but there are a few police departments that swear by them, particularly in cities with inclement winter weather. One such city is Washington DC, where Harley sidecars have played a significant …
Dirt Hack – 1996 BMW R1100GS with DMC 72D Sidecar
Named “WIMPA”, this is one of the best dirt-focused sidecar builds I’ve seen in a long time. The seller only finished the build last year, and he notes that it’s a good choice for someone who’s getting older (and doesn’t have the same confidence off-road as they once did) but still wants to get out in the wilderness. It’s also …
Reader Ride – Baker Formula One Sidecar
5-30-2018 Update: Two years later, this interesting sidecar is now actually up for sale! “The electric motor has since been removed and a race-prepared Suzuki GSXR 1000 engine and 6-speed transmission will be included along with a bodywork mold, extra wheels, and a North Carolina bill of sale.” Find it with bidding up to $2,750 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina …
1952 Nimbus Type C with Sidecar
View Post1995 MZ Silver Star Gespann
Post Sale Update: This MZ sidecar combo sold for $5,400 after 5 bids on eBay. 4-6-18 Update: As noted in the comments below, the seller has relisted this MZ over three years later. Find it with an unmet opening bid of $5,000 here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: After being relisted, this Gespann did not meet reserve at $7,890. The MZ …
105 Miles – 1995 MZ Silver Star Classic Gespann
The “Gespann” was MZ’s factory sidecar option for the Silver Star, and this example has just 105 miles!
Electric Trike – 1963 Harding Motor Chair
Based out of Bath, England, RA Harding was one of the premier manufacturer of “invalid carriages.” They also developed some trikes with a variety of power options – hand-propelled, gasoline, or what we see here today: electric.
“V10 Sport” Sidecar – 1999 Moto Guzzi V11 Bassa
Post Sale Update: This custom Guzzi sold for $8,000 after 16 bids on eBay. Known as the Jackal in Europe, the V11 Bassa was Moto Guzzi’s “Cruiser Italiana”. They said it had “attitude with atmosphere” and it was designed to add some Italian style to the cruiser market that America so thoroughly enjoyed. Yet none of that really seems to …
1988 Honda Gyro UP
Post Sale Update: The seller lowered the BIN to $1,700, and that’s the number it sold at! I’ve featured several examples of Honda’s quirky 3-wheeler called the GYRO (which is apparently an acronym for “Great Your Recreation Original.”) The US only got one of the versions, a “S” model that was focused on just carrying a rider around. But Japan …
Land-Doo – Custom Sea-Doo Trike
Built by placing a Sea-Doo body on a homemade frame (isn’t that a sentence that inspires confidence?), this custom trike would be an amusing way to get around town before you were inevitably arrested and tested for a DUI.