Post Listing Update: This Bearkat has been relisted a few times (including a weird situation where it “sold” at a BIN of $3,250, but it was relisted again and did not meet reserve at $1,575. Built by the Bearkat Manufacturing Company out of San Diego, California, this scoot was similar to other trail bikes like the Tote Gote, Trail Tractor, …
Guess That Bike Revealed – Not Italian Edition
This was a tough one. It took a hint, but the first reader on the right track was Dnaj, who pointed out that it was a Zanella Ceccato. That’s just about it – it’s a 1965 Zanella Sport 100.
1 of 805 – 1995 Triumph Daytona Super III
Triumph’s Super III was a limited edition of the under-appreciated Daytona 900. Featuring engine tuning by Cosworth, they sold just 805 worldwide, 179 of which made it to the United States.
Unexpected Donation – Still New 1983 Kawasaki GPz1100
I’ve seen some odd places to find motorcycles for sale, but this is definitely a new one. Somehow, there’s a “brand new, never been used” GPz that’s for sale at Goodwill. Wonder who donated this!
Quail Participant – 1992 Ducati 851 Custom
Post-Listing Update: This 851 did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,500. The seller originally acquired this 851 Strada as a “cosmetic basketcase” and decided he liked how it looked without bodywork. Thanks to a custom subframe, fiberglass cafe seat, and a few other pieces, you get a bike that (in the seller’s words) is “meant to ride, …
Surprise Under the Seat – 1994 Suzuki GSX-R 1100
Normally a stock super sport with a tail tidy and flush mount turn signals isn’t a big deal. However, this bike packs a bit of a surprise: flip a switch inside the front fairing and then the horn button turns the nitrous bottle that’s hidden under the seat cowl! The seller has a dyno chart showing 125 horsepower at the …
Sparkling – 1990 Honda VFR
Entering its third generation, the 1990 remake of the VFR signaled the repositioning of the series away from its sport bike beginnings and into a sport touring role. Marketed as a thinking man’s motorbike, the model gained some cool updates along with a few pounds, and lost the “Interceptor” tag. The ’90 was available only in the Italian Red seen …
1983 Suzuki GR650D Tempter
I haven’t featured a Tempter in years, but now you get two in one week. As a quick refresher, this bike was only available in the US for two years – this is the higher-level “D” model which comes with two-tone paint, adjustable front air forks, and alloy wheels. According to a ’83 review from Cycle World, the GR650 produced …
Pristine & Original — 1984 Honda VF1000F
Sometimes it seems the dark alleys of Craigslist are home to as many ghastly creatures as a 90-minute finale of The Walking Dead. This, however, is not one of the undead.
2005 Husaberg FE550e
In 1987, Husqvarna was bought by Cagiva and it became part of MV Agusta. Many engineers from Husky’s development team decided to stay in Sweden and they founded Husaberg in 1988. They were competitive in racing but sales were lackluster, and in ’95 the brand was sold to KTM. By 2003, KTM was producing Husabergs themselves. You know KTM’s slogan, …
Needs Some Work – 1958/9 Parilla Olimpia
After World War II, Giovanni Parrilla built his first motorcycle (it was based on a Norton). This evolved into the company of Moto Parilla, which was best known for their “high-cam” engines in the US. Here’s one of their lesser known models, the Olimpia (which is one of the few bikes I know that was offered with 2-stroke and 4-stroke …
Rare in the US – 1983 Suzuki Tempter GR650D
This Suzuki is rarely seen in the US as it was only offered here in ’83 and ’84. In other markets it was called the GR650 (and available until ’89), for some reason it was called the Tempter in America. It’s a fairly straightforward UJM but it featured one interesting innovation: a ‘dual-stage’ flywheel with an centrifugal clutch that would …
Needs Some Work – 1962 Tohatsu Runpet
Post-Listing Update: No one seems interested in this Tohatsu – it keeps getting relisted at a lower opening bid, with no action. As of 6-14 it’s got a unmet opening bid of $550, find it here on eBay. Founded in 1922, Tohatsu is now best known for their outboard motors. But in the 50s and 60s, they produced some excellent …
$950 – 1965 Bridgestone Sport 60
You know Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer nowadays, but for a few years they produced very competitive small motorcycles ranging in displacement from 50cc to 350cc. Here’s one of the smaller models, a 60cc Sport. The two-stroke rotary-valve single was good for 5.8 horsepower and it was paired with a 4-speed rotary transmission. I can’t determine if all of these …
Well Modified – 1984 Yamaha FJ1100
When the Yamaha FJ1100 was introduced, the press went nuts. Rider Magazine called it “the best large displacement sport motorcycle of 1984, and maybe even the best in its class in the history of motorcycling,” and other mags called it Bike of the Year. Here’s a bike that revolutionized what sport-touring bikes would become – big power and plenty of …