Zero Engineering was founded in Japan in 1992 but they established a US subsidiary in Vegas and started selling some of their limited production choppers to Americans starting in 2008. They currently offer four models, and the Type 9 (introduced in 2011) is arguably the fanciest as it includes a multi-arm suspension. The other three models (5/6/8) all utilize rigid …
“The Nickel Peeper” – 1950s Triumph Bonneville Custom
Over on the auction site we’ve got a fun custom built by Choppahead Kustom Cycles called “The Nickel Peeper”.
Unexpected Custom – 1975 Moto Guzzi 850 Chopper
I’ve featured a couple of custom Ducati-powered choppers before, but this is the first one with a Guzzi motor in it.
Honda-Powered Custom with Hossack Front End
When Shane A submitted this to me via email, the subject line was simple and very accurate: “This one is wild.” The seller calls it a Honda Z5-Hossack, as it looks to be the 5th variant of his fascinating customs that utilize a Hossack front end.
Turbocharged Custom – 1979 Honda CB750K
Post Listing Update: This turbo’d CB750K did not get any action at the BIN of $8,995 on eBay. 11-1-20 Update: Several years after it was last featured here, this CB750 sold on Bring a Trailer for $5,300 back in July. Now it’s back up for sale with a markup – find it in Phoenix, Arizona with a BIN of $8,995 …
Toaster Bitsa Scrambler – 1988 BMW R-Series Custom
Post Sale Update: This custom BMW sold for $6,000 after 27 bids on eBay…to Bike-urious reader Carl L! The seller of this custom calls it a “Urban Toaster Scrambler”, with “the idea to build a reliable daily modern classic motorcycle that can go anywhere.” This combines a toaster tank R75/5 with the chassis from a BMW R100RT.
1937 Ford V8-Powered Custom
Post Listing Update: did not meet reserve with 29 bids up to $7,225 in West Granby, Connecticut. Per the seller, “we started in 2005 with a 1937 Ford V8 60 tin side, a 1937 Ford stock three speed and a dream!”
No Reserve – 1979 Honda CBX Custom
Post Listing Update: Apparently the seller didn’t like where the auction was going as he pulled it off of eBay for being “lost or broken.” From the same seller of the set of CBXs from each model year comes a wild custom CBX with go-fast parts, a longer swingarm, and a six-into-six exhaust.
2019 NMoto Nostalgia BMW R7
Last year, Tim Huber covered a fascinating-and-polarizing custom built by NMoto. Called the Nostalgia, it’s a R nineT customized to look like the fabled BMW R7 one-off. Over on the auction site, we’ve got one that has just 90 miles.
Blue Collar Bobbers Kit – 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250
Based out of Sandy, Utah, Blue Collar Bobbers produces bolt on kits to give people an easy way to customize their bike “into an old school, nostalgic hot rod.” Here’s a Kawasaki Ninja 250 that’s equipped with the BCB Cafe Racer kit (no longer available).
Rare Project – 1969 Honda CB750 Arlen Ness Digger
Post Listing Update: did not get any bids at the opening ask of $6,000 on eBay. The seller of this custom states that it was painted by Arlen Ness (it has his signature on the tank) and that it’s a survivor which will need some work as it’s not running.
1966 Ducati 250 Custom
Post Sale Update: This custom Ducati sold for $4,100 after 7 bids on eBay in Canton, Michigan. This narrow case single Ducati was modified by the previous owner to go vintage racing, but he sold it before he finished his project and the current owner has turned it into a “street cafe racer”.
Two Stroke Transplant – Kawasaki Ninja 250 with S2 Engine
Your eyes do not deceive you – this is a EX250-J (the generation between 2008–2012) that now has the 350cc two-stroke motor from a 1972 Kawasaki S2!
Custom CB750 in Europe – 1973 Japauto 950 SS
Sensing that Honda was about to take over the motorcycle industry, Christian Vilaseca expanded his family’s GM automobile dealership by founding Japauto in 1966. Thanks to the success of the CB750, Japauto quickly became Europe’s largest motorcycle dealership. So when he decided to campaign in the 1970 Bol d’Or, he wanted to race with a bike bearing his companies name …
Corbin Warbird in England – 1987 Harley-Davidson FXR Custom
The Corbin company is best known for their seats, but they’ve also made luggage and even a three-wheeled EV! Today we’re focusing on a bodywork set created for the Harley-Davidson FXR. It was called the Warbird.