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 …
939 Miles – 1983 Honda XL185S
With over 30 years of life and less than a thousand miles on the odometer, this small XL is in impressive original shape. It’s not cheap, but I can’t say I’ve seen a nicer example of the breed before.
Honda CB500 Chopper
Here’s a slick chopper with a CB500 twin motor and a whole bunch of new parts, including the rectifier, coils, starter solenoid, exhaust, bars, tires, chain, battery, cables, carbs, and the headlights. It’s got a clean title on non-op. Seems like a cheap way to get into choppers…
Cheap and Getting Cheaper – 1977 Honda XL250S
As of the date of this post (5/22), this XL250 is $1,400. Every day that goes by with it still in the seller’s posession, that price drops $100.
Nice Price – 1999 Excelsior Henderson Super X
At the turn of the 20th century, Excelsior and Henderson were two of America’s preeminent motorcycle manufacturers. Schwinn bought up both brands in the 1910s and shut them down in September of 1931. Skip ahead 60 years to Minnesota in 1993 and the founding of the Hanlon Manufacturing Company in 1993 – they secured the rights to both the Excelsior …
1969 Rupp Roadster
In 1969, Rupp was on the top of its game, with over 400 employees and a range of products that included snowmobiles, go-karts, ATVs, and minibikes. That year the company introduced a new top-of-the-line minibike with a 5 horsepower Tecumseh H50 engine and a two speed jackshaft. It was called the Roadster.
12V Power – Peg Perego Ducati Monster
Here’s a bike for the little one in your life. Licensed by Ducati, this Peg Perego electric bike has a 12V battery and it’s capable of supporting 60 pounds of misbehaving child.
Rare Project – Gilera Gina Macho
5-10 Update: This Gilera is back up for sale, but the opening bid is $1.00 and there’s no reserve! Someone’s getting a new project – find it here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: This rare Argentinian did not meet reserve with bidding up to $600. Gina is a combination of GIlera and ArgentiNA, as this bike was a partnership between “Italy’s …
1966 Atala Rizzato Ringo
I’m unable to find any information on this little scoot, but according to the seller it’s a rare Italian with a 49cc 2-stroke engine and a 3-speed hand shift transmission. I can only see examples that are white and red online, but this example is…not. Got any experience with this marque?
1972 Rockford Chibi Deluxe
Rockford Motors was the American importer for the wonderful Bridgestone motorcycles that occasionally dotted US roads. In ’71, Bridgestone stopped selling bikes, leaving Rockford with a gap in their product portfolio. They decided to take over manufacturing rights for the tiniest Bridgestones, specifically the 100cc “Taka” and two 60cc bikes – the “Tora” and the Rockford Chibi which you see …
Cheap Runner – 1977 Kawasaki KZ400
It’s always nice to break up posts of expensive exotica with cheap bikes that run or could be restored. In that spirit, here’s a straightforward Kawi KZ400.
Guess That Bike – Electric Ducati Edition?
I’m not entirely what to say about this bike. The seller says it’s got a Ducati frame with an electric motor in it, but I just don’t see it. In fact, I’m hopelessly lost on what this bike is – do you know?
Restored – 1972 Honda CB450
The K5 model of the CB450, the 1972 model was a gradual evolution of the famous Black Bomber. Over the years, a moderate amount of changes were made – megaphone mufflers, rubber fork gaiters, and a front disk brake were added over time, along with other cosmetic changes like paint colors and sidecover emblems. By 1970 (when the K3 was …
Holland Import – 1978 Batavus MoBat
Batavus is a long-time Dutch manufacturer of bicycles and mopeds. They produced several stylish moped models and began importing to the U.S. in the 1970s, including the HS-50 and this more sinister sister model, the MoBat. Like most Batavus models, these are powered by a 48cc Laura 2-stroke engine and sport motorcycle styling with large wheels and between-the-knees fuel tank. …
Cute Project – 1963 Bridgestone Surfrider Model 7
Imported through the Rockford Scooter company, Bridgestone sold a variety of motorcycles in the US, ranging in displacement from 50cc from 350cc. Here’s one of the babies, a 50cc BS7-D, sometimes called the Surfrider. For some reason, the seller calls this NOS, even though it has 1,562 miles, doesn’t run, and is missing a few parts. Still, this looks like …