Founded by brothers Adriano and Bruno Cavalieri as well as Marcello Ducati, what we now call “Ducati” first started out as “Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati” back in 1926. The Bologna-based company got its start by manufacturing radio components, mostly for the Italian military. Unfortunately this made the company’s factory a target for being bombed in WW2 – something that …
Rare Trike Project – Muskin Tri-Cat
Based out of Colton, California, the HPE Muskin Cement Corporation specialized in pool construction but when the minibike craze took off in the US they decided they could also make some money with small vehicles. I’ve featured a few examples of their most common product, El Gato
Two-Stroke Tiddler – 1972 Suzuki AC50 Maverick
The 1960’s and ’70’s were a golden era for small-displacement bikes. One of the noteworthy little “tiddlers” from this era was the Suzuki AC50 Maverick, a 50cc scrambler produced from ’70 to ’74. The Maverick never had the same level of popularity as Honda’s Cub C110, but the AC50 supposedly held the title of world’s fastest 50cc production bike at …
Fighting Red – 1990 Honda Transalp XL600V
In the late 80s, Honda offered both an AT and a TA – the Africa Twin and the Transalp. Both were ahead of the times, though the latter was more street-biased. Consider it a jack of all trades sort of bike with a cult following. The US only got the Transalp between ’89 and ’91, and it was much more …
1989 Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy
Post Listing Update: This GB got no interest at the opening ask of $3,000. Honda’s GB500 was an homage to classic British singles but there was a twist – it was reliable! The average American rider shopping for a Japanese bike at the time was more interested in the bigger supersport replicas, but the Tourist Trophy has become a cult …
Boutique Italian Enduro – 2000 VOR EN 400
VOR (or Vertemati Offroad Racing) is a high-end Italian motorcycle manufacturer specializing in – as the name suggests – enduros and offroad scoots. The small Milan-based company was founded by brothers Alvaro and Guido Vertemati, both of whom had prior experience working in the offroad segment, as well as serving as the Italian importers for Swedish manufacturer Husaberg in the …
Still New – 2007 Aprilia SXV450
On paper, Aprilia’s SXV450 was destined to be an all-time great in the world of production supermotos. 60 horsepower at the crank was about 10 more than other 450s were making at a time, and the twin cylinder layout rewarded riders who were willing to play near the 13,000 rpm redline. Unfortunately, it was Aprilia’s first attempt at building an …
1976 Montesa Cota 348
Montesa developed a prototype of the Cota 348 to compete in the 1975 Scottish Six Days Trial, and Malcolm Rathmell rode it to a second place finish. Rathmell was an accomplished trials rider who won the World Championship in 1974 and the British Trials Championship 6 times in a 10 year period, and the 348 was developed with him as …
Snow Track – 2002 Suzuki GSX-R 600 Custom
Filed under “Who thought this was a good idea?” this Suzuki GSX-R 600 has been customized with the front end from a Yamaha YZ490 and the rear track from a Yamaha Phazer snowmobile.
Bavarian Desert Racer – 2009 BMW G450X
For the past few decades, BMW Motorrad’s sales have been objectively prosperous and they are looking to the future which means attracting a new younger demographic. In the last year BMW has debuted its new entry-level oriented R 310GS and G 310R machines, and the entire heritage lineup of R nineT’s definitely possess the ability to attract new clientele. BMW …
Rare Trike Project – 1973 Alsport Tri-Sport
Based out of Norwalk, Ohio, Alsport Incorporated produced a trike called the Tri-Sport. It was available in multiple displacements ranging from 30 to 340 cubic centimeters. Here’s a 290cc version (the motor was also used in Kohler snowmobiles) that’s going to need some work after it was pulled from a barn.
Foundry Inspired – 1987 BMW K75 Tracker
If you follow the custom bike scene you may remember back in February when a BMW K75 Street Tracker build by Carlos Ormazabal – the owner and founder of The Foundry MC just outside of Madrid – made its rounds on sites like Pipeburn. I loved the Foundry’s K75 build, so when I recently came across another K75 that is …
Yamaha Way-Back Machines
Vintage dirt bikes and enduros have become very popular lately. People have been dragging them out of their garages and barns and cleaning them up and they show up in large numbers at events like Barber Vintage Festival. Cruising Craigslist as I do (it’s a problem, I know) it appears the trend may be peaking. When you see a lot …
Light Up Your Garage – 1980 Suzuki Dealer Sign
The perfect accessory for your Suzuki collection, this 37 year-old sign served as a dealer prop in a past life. Now you can use it to impress your buddies.
Rare High-Mile Mini – 1983 Honda Motra
The Honda Motra – also known as the CT50 – is a particularly funky little mini. Honda marketed the Motra as a rugged mini-scoot capable of schlepping a surprisingly heavy payload. The unique 50cc Honda was only sold in the Japanese market, but a handful of models have made their way to US shores thanks to what I can only …