Honda debuted the third-generation twin spar aluminum-framed CR250R two-stroke motocrosser in 2002, though they followed it up in 2003 with changes to the cylinder, exhaust, valves, air intake, CDI, suspension, and more. Yet none of that may matter with this bike, as it’s never been ridden before and I’d be stunned if the next owner would want to change that. …
1977 OSSA Phantom GP3
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 just 198 pounds. The $1,350 MSRP was a significant $250 more than Honda’s …
No Reserve – 1983 Bultaco Sherpa 199B
There are few questions about how and when Bultaco started – Francisco Xavier Bulto created the company (the name was a blend of his last name and his nickname, Paco) in May of 1958 after resigning as the Technical Director of Montesa, a manufacturer he co-founded in 1944. When Montesa decided to stop racing, Paco knew it was time to …
Rare Project – 1972 Cotton Cavalier
After Villiers went out of business, the motorcycle manufacturers that depended on their engines were forced to look elsewhere. The British firm of Cotton (out of Gloucester, England) decided to go with a Minarelli-built 170cc to power their trails bike for 1968.
1970 Honda CT70
In 1969, Honda released one of the most important motorcycles that would ever be sold in America – the Trail 70 (also known as the CT70). It was the first motorcycle for many of today’s riders, and nowadays it serves double duty as an excellent entrée into motorcycling as well as a lovely reminder of times gone by.
Ending Soon – 1978 Bultaco Pursang 370
Bultaco’s MXer, the Pursang was produced between ’67 and ’81. This is the MK11 (out of 15), and while it’s been on display for the last few years, the current owner of 10 years took it to the occasional race. it sure looks good in the air!
1980 Chrysler Snorunner
Continuing the recent theme of oddball snow machines, today we’ve got a Chrysler Snorunner. This has an interesting history – though some people disagree on the actual story. My favorite version is that Chrysler built them for the Army, which was looking for light weight snow transport that could carry a soldier for 30 miles. It wasn’t capable of handling …
Rare Project – 1977 Greeves Griffon 250 MX
Post Sale Update: This Griffon sold for the opening bid of $2,500 in Missoula, Montana. Greeves introduced the Griffon MX bike in 1971…and it was greeted with a lot of excellent competition from excellent bikes like the Yamaha DT1, Bultaco Pursang, and Husky 250CR. Two years later, Honda would release the 250 Elsinore and blow everyone else away. But the …
Factory Racer – 1972 CZ 250
Post Listing Update: This CZ did not meet reserve with 31 bids up to $23,036.65 on eBay in Jamul, California. In 1972, serious off-road racers had few options, all of which were in Europe. Realistically, you were looking at one of the Spanish brands, a Penton, Husqvarna, Maico, or CZ. CZ had a reputation for building rugged and simple machines, …
86 Miles – 1985 Yamaha TY350
Post Sale Update: This TY350 sold for $3,149 after 32 bids on eBay in Lowell, Massachusetts. In the late 60s, Yamaha made its first entry in a European trial championship in France with their 250 DT, a bike better suited for dual sporting. In 1970, the sales manager of a French Yamaha dealership was contacted by the current French trial …
1975 OSSA Plonker
The OSSA Plonker (“plonking” used to be a different term for trials riding, as you’d “plonk” around rugged terrain at low speeds) was built in conjunction with trials expert Mick Andrews. It was their first attempt at a true observed trials bike, and it was succeeded by the Mick Andrews Replica. In the US, the Plonker was only available via …
AHRMA Scrambler -1958 BSA Golden Flash A10
Post Listing Update: This Golden Flash did not meet reserve with 8 bids up to $3,850 on eBay in Hillsboro, Oregon. Starting with a A10 Golden Flash engine and frame, this BSA was converted into a classic scrambles racer in England.
1 of 200 – 2019 Beta 300 RR Steve Holcombe Replica
To celebrate Steve Holcombe’s back-to-back titles in the Enduro World Championship, Beta released 200 examples of a limited edition replica based on his 300 RR racer. 25 of them were exported to the US – here’s #77 of the series.
1987 Honda CR500
Post Sale Update: This CR500 sold for $10,000 after 16 bids on eBay in Dacula, Georgia. When originally released in 1984, the CR500 was the most powerful MX bike that Honda had ever produced. It quickly got a reputation for pinging (including the nickname of “Ping King”), which was rectified the next year with liquid-cooling. The rest was history – …
1992 Yamaha WR500
Built by blending the YZ250 and YZ490, the WR500 was a rare offering that was best served as a trail bike that could mix it up on the race track every once in a while.