Post Sale Update: This Hornet sold for $7,499 after 10 bids on eBay. In the 60s, the US was clamoring for desert racers, and fans of the BSA Lightning were hoping for a stripped down version from the British firm. Enter the BSA Hornet, a 650cc stripper-spec without lighting.
450 Miles – 1972 Rickman Zundapp 125
Established in 1960, Rickman motorcycles initially supplied frame kits built for many British bikes, as companies would not sell engines to them. At the start of the 70s, Rickman got access to engines from all around the world, and started exporting several small-displacement motocross bikes, many to the United States. Ranging from 100cc to 250cc in displacement, today we look …
1971 Ducati 450 RT Desmo
Not many people know it, but Ducati had a one-year, one-time-only foray into the world of motocross. The Ducati 450 RT Desmo was created and imported after its American importer convinced them to bring a big thumper dirt racer to the states.
Off-Roading with a Yamaha FJR1300
From r/motorcycles comes this very impressive video of a talented rider who would ask, “who needs a GS?” The FJR weighs 637 pounds wet and doesn’t have what one would call tremendous ground clearance, so it’s a joy to see this rider at work. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it seems (at least from the end of …
1974 Bultaco Matador MkV
The Spanish motorcycle company Bultaco was created when Francisco Bulto resigned from Montesa – a company he had co-founded – because the board wanted to withdraw from racing and he had no interest in such a decision. He took most of Montesa’s racing department with him and created Bultaco. Today we’ve got a Bultaco Matador MkV, designed by Luis Carreras, …
1975 Maico MC440 GP
Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Maico MC440 GP sold for $5,050. I’ve been having a recent surge in readers interested in Maico’s, so here’s one for you nuts. The Maico MC440 GP is one of the greatest vintage MX motorcycles ever built – and this is an almost mint, nearly all-original example. You’ll get plenty of goodies …
Mini Flat Tracker – 1971 Yamaha JT1
The Yamaha JT1 was a solid minibike back in its day. Here we’ve got an customized example with the cosmetics of a flat tracker, inspired by Kenny Roberts. Unfortunately, the bigger brother RD400 is not available for sale, though they look great together. Find this Yamaha JT1 (VIN: JT1-025143) for sale with bidding up to $898.88 and the reserve not …
1974 Bultaco Tiron
Post-Sale Update: This Bultaco El Tiron sold for $2,392.67 after 31 bids on eBay. Here’s a rare off-roader from Bultaco – I can’t say that I’ve ever seen one in the wild. It will need a little bit of work, but it runs. All that’s missing is the front light bulb, lens, and rear tail light. Find this Bultaco Tiron …
1965 Parilla Wildcat 125
5-22 Update: Factual errors corrected, see comments below. Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Parilla Wildcat 125 sold for $2,150.
1968 Greeves Challenger
Founded by Bert Greeves, the Greeves motorcycle company started when Bert was mowing his lawn and thought of mounting a lawnmower engine to the wheelchair of his disabled cousin to help with mobility. That led to a government contract, and Bert was inspired by his success to start building motorcycles as well. The company was quite successful with exports – …
1974 Honda MT250 Elsinore
Post-Sale Update: After 54 bids on eBay, this Honda MT250 Elsinore sold for $3,000. I just featured an Elsinore (though it was a CR250M), so I won’t waste your time with too many details. The reason I’m featuring this one is because it has just 484 miles! The story is that it was just uncovered from a basement where the …
Video Intermission: Romaniacs Slo-Mo Suspension Study
It’s back to Red Bull Romaniacs for this entertaining video of motorcross bikes getting pushed to the limits of suspension travel throughout the challenging course: Sit back and enjoy – and if you’re a fan of AWOLNATION, you might as well turn the volume up, too!
Three Wheeler – 1982 Honda ATC 110
In my book, any vehicle that’s been banned because the government thought it was too dangerous is instantly worth featuring. So with that, here’s a not-very-scary-looking Honda ATC 110.
1974 Honda CR250M Elsinore
Post Listing Update: This Elsinore did not meet reserve despite 13 bids up to $2,600. The Honda CR250M Elsinore is historically significant as it was the first serious dirt bike to come straight from an OEM – other bikes required serious modifications from the factory floor.
1943 NSU Kettenkrad
Today is all about off-roaders, and this might be one of the craziest of all. The NSU Kettenkrad (Ketten = tracks, krad = German military abbreviation for motorcycle), was a half-track designed initially as a light tractor for airborne troops. Due to its diminutive size, it was the only ‘gun tractor’ capable of fitting in certain Nazi aircraft. The formal …