Last month I shared an interesting RD400 build from Julian Farnham – he unfortunately passed away so his widow is selling his collection. This fascinating creation is what Julian called the AK-1, a $4,750 chassis kit that enabled buyers to utilize the EX500 motor with a seriously upgraded frame and modern components.
Dirtbag Challenge Build – 1977 Yamaha RD400 Chopper
The Dirtbag Challenge was an interesting event in which entrants would have limited time and budget to build a chopper that also has to be ridden at least 100 miles on the day of the event. Here’s an oddball entrant from a few years ago that started as a Yamaha RD400!
1954 Norton Manx Kit with KLR650 Engine
6-29-25 Update: Almost two years later, this “Norton” is back up for sale but the BIN price is almost half of what it used to be. Per the comments below, should we call it a Kaworton? A Norasaki? Or something else? Whatever you call it, you can find it in Eustis, Florida with a BIN of $6,400 or best offer …
Unexpected Sidecar – 1999 Suzuki GSX-R750
“Perfect for your next post-apocalyptic motorcycle get together, or Mad Max sequel.” That’s how the seller of this fascinating custom sidecar sums up what could be your next ride!
Norcati Project in England
A small production company that was trying to create a limited run of Ducati-engined Norton hybrids is unfortuantely selling off their stock to someone who can hopefully keep things going. The main item is the featured bike, though there’s also an unfinished project, some stock Ducatis, and tools like welders, frame jigs, pipe benders, and more…including the UK trademark on …
“Fabbri Special” in Holland – 1960 Rumi 4-Cylinder Special
Moto Rumi decided to build small motorbikes in Italy after World War II to provide transportation for the masses, and they built all their models (from scooters to race bikes) around the same 125cc two-stroke twin engine. The man in charge of two-wheel design (Donnino Rumi) was a sculptor, and you could see that in several of his designs – …
Bosozoku – 1981 Honda CB400T
Built by Good Call Works, this bosozuku bike (a subculture of Japanese motorcycling which translates to “violent running tribe”) definitely offers one way to get noticed on your next ride!
Harley-Davidson Kit Bike – 1974 Magnacycle
5-22-2025 Update: Eight years later, this Magnacycle is back up for sale – and with a much lower asking price! Also, please note that it’s now being called a 1978 model. Find it (still in Carlisle, Pennsylvania) for $8,500 here on Facebook Marketplace.
2012 Travertson V-REX 2
“Once rolling, the V-REX’s straight-line behavior is about what you’d expect from a 9-foot long, fat-tired cruiser…“
In England – Supercharged Triumph Speed Triple RR
Here’s a bit of psycho exotica from the UK: a supercharged 230 horsepower (at the wheel) Triumph Speed Triple with just 250 miles on the clock. I’ve actually seen this bike racking up a few of those miles, about two years ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I have the good fortune of living in a tourist town just …
Lonesome Road Choppers – 2009 Harley-Davidson Custom
Well, this looks like a particularly interesting way to end up in the hospital. It’s effectively a bicycle with a knock-off Harley-Davidson panhead engine. If you’re looking at that V-twin and thinking,”That looks kinda like a Twin Cam,” you’re not wrong. The engine maker, Ultima, acknowledges as much on its website. Confusingly, the engine is from the company’s “Ultima Evo” …
Customized 2009 Ducati SportClassic 1000 S
Slightly reminiscent of the Paul Smart LE model that I wrote up earlier this month is this unique beauty born of the same family. That is to say, it has the same basic building blocks. The bike that you see here is a long way from stock.
2003 Suzuki SV650S
Other models have surpassed it since but the SV650 has been a favorite of many riders for over two decades – it was introduced in 1999 and is still offered in showrooms today! In 2003 and 2004, Cycle World praised the SV650 and the SV650S as the Best Standard Bike, noting that “SV” could have stood for “Suprisingly Versatile.” This …
2020 Honda CRF450R with 1994 Honda CR500R Engine
I’ve featured a few “CR500 engine into CRF450 frame” swapped bikes before but the amount of additional upgrades on this bike is absolutely staggering.
R90S Inspired – 2012 BMW R1200R
Last week, BMW unveiled its new R 12 S, a boxer-twin heritage model that overtly draws inspiration from the R90S that was manufactured from 1973-1976. With that bike very much on my mind, I went searching for one to highlight on Bike-urious. I found a few good examples (all with considerable asking prices), but the machine that stood out to …