The White Motorcycle Company is just one of dozens of now defunct manufacturers that have been forced to close their doors over the years by bad luck and less than ideal circumstances. The White MoCo was based in Hungary and produced several different models with the intentions of importing to the US market. Unfortunately someone’s major oversight in 1967 resulted …
1983 Suzuki RM125
Post Listing Update: This RM125 did not get any interest at the opening bid of $1,900. RM was Suzuki’s designation for Racing Model, and it was reserved for motocross racers. Displacements ranged from 50cc to 500cc, and the two-stroke 125 was built between 1975 and 2007. This example features a recent engine rebuild (less than 30 minutes on the motor) …
No Reserve – 1974 Ossa Phantom 250
Post Sale Update: After 5 bids on eBay, this Phantom sold for $3,050. By the early 70s, OSSA had established a dominant position in the off-road motorcycle market. But when Honda released the 250cc Elsinore, the Spanish firm was forced to respond with a strong competitor. The Phantom 250 met the mark, thanks to 33 horsepower and a weight of …
1974 Hodaka Road Toad
When it comes to naming motorcycle models, Hodaka might win. Rat. Super Rat. Dirt Squirt. Combat. Wombat. Wombat Combat. Ace. Road Toad. Hodaka was a Japanese motor builder for Yamaguchi motorcycles in 1963 when Yamaguchi went bankrupt. PABTCO, based in Athena, Oregon went looking for a replacement to fill the void left in their sales niche. The fact that PABTCO’s …
1973 Husqvarna Two-Fer – 400 CR and 125 WR
By 1973 Husky had near domination in dirt racing world wide. The list of winning Husqvarna riders reads like an all star list: Malcolm Smith, Bob Grossi, Heikki Mikkola, Arne Kring, Brad Lackey and many more rode Husky to wins. The 400 CR was known as a ‘ready to race’ out of the crate motorcycle. The open class thumpers were …
1965 Bultaco Metisse Pursang 250
Post Sale Update: This Metisse sold for $6,050 after 22 bids on eBay. By 1965 Bultaco had been building fast motorcycles for 8 years. They were a dominant force in the off road racing scene in Europe and introduced what would become their most popular American model in ‘65, the Pursang. There was a reason for the Pursang’s ‘instant hit’ …
5 Classics in North Carolina
A seller in Asheville, North Carolina is letting go of 5 bikes that tell me he’s got a similar taste in motorcycles to most of you. Act fast, though, because the auctions are ending in just a few hours! All but the Laverda have met reserve so they’re getting new owners. In the seller’s words, “I am selling a number …
Champion Framed – Yamaha DT250 Flat Tracker
Champion racing frames were the highly sought after handiwork of Californian Doug Schwerma. He built frames in the late sixties and early seventies that were highly desired by flat track racers – “champions” like Don Vesco, Steve Baker, and Kenny Roberts could be seen riding Champion frames. After Schwerma passed away, the Champion frame design and name went to another …
MPS Build – Honda CRF450 with CR500 Engine
MPS (Motorsports Products & Services) is the brainchild of George Fanelli, who creates aluminum framed two stroke MX bikes. Want a Kawi KX 500 motor in a modern four stroke frame? A Yamaha 500 two-stroke in a YZ250F frame? MPS has done it before. Here’s one of their Honda builds – a legendary 2001 CR500 motor in a 2007 CRF450 …
1971 Ducati 450 R/T Desmo
For one year only, Ducati decided to create a 450 motocrosser after their American importer convinced them it was a market worth exploring. “R/T” stood for Road/Trail, which might explain why the bike was heavier than the MX competition at 300 pounds. It did not sell well, meaning these are hard to find nowadays.
Nearly New – 1991 ATK 604 Std
View Post1970 Montesa 247 Cota
I don’t know what it is about Trials bikes that make me want to hit the “Buy Now” prompt. I think it is just because they represent the essence of motorcycling. Two wheels, a simple engine, twist and go. This Montesa ticks those boxes…
1975 Honda MR175
Honda had a pretty checkered run with dirt bikes in the early 70s. It seemed their offerings were either very, very good or ‘not so much’. They introduced a legend in 1973 with the CR125M and CR250M Elsinore. The Elsinore changed dirt riding and racing forever.
1983 Honda CR250R
Sellers – if you have questions about how you should be taking photos for a for sale listing, just look at this one. Then again, that might be expected considering the seller is noted MX photographer Joe Bonnello…
1979 Can-Am MX 370
Can-Am first came to my attention in the early ‘70s in Snowmobiles. The Ski-Doo line was the king of the snow, in terms of both speed and handling. In 1972 Can-Am (the motorcycle arm of the company) introduced it’s first dirt bikes. By 1973 Can-Am swept the podium at the Scottish 6 Day Trials and their reputation was made. Can-Am …