The Japanese had lots of success in smaller GP classes in the 90s thanks to racers like Noboru Ueda, Tetsuya Harada, Shinya Nakano, and Daijiro Kato. At certain points in the mid-late 90s, more than a quarter of the 125cc field was actually comprised of Japanese riders. One of the land of the rising sun’s rising stars was Kazuto Sakata, …
1958 Velocette Venom
Post Listing Update: This Venom did not meet reserve despite 17 bids up to $10,000 on eBay in Armada, Michigan. The Velocette Venom will always be in the history books because a factory-prepped example set a world record as the first bike to average over 100 miles per hour in a 24 hour period. 5,721 Venoms rolled off the assembly …
2016 Triumph Thruxton R
For 2016, Triumph gave the Thruxton a well-deserved update with a 41% bump in power (up to 98), standard ABS, a 17 pound diet, and a styling update. New for 2016 was also the introduction of the “R” model, which lost a further 6 pounds, got a steeper rake, fully adjustable suspension (Showa fork/Ohlins shocks) and upgraded brakes (Brembo front, …
1967 Fuji Rabbit 90 S-202
Post Listing Update: This Rabbit did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $750 on eBay in Richmond, Michigan. Japan’s first scooter was built in 1946 by Fuji. Called the Rabbit S-1, it was released six months before Vespa’s first model. The Rabbit was the name given to Fuji’s scooter lineup, and it ranged from the top-of-the-line Superflow down …
Restored – 1970 Triumph Tiger TR6R
Post Listing Update: This Tiger did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $10,117.76 on eBay. 1970 was the last year before Triumph went with the Oil-In-Frame design, and the single-carb’d 650 twin was available in 4 options: TR6, TR6C (Competition), TR6P (Police), and this TR6R roadster.
Rare Project – 1978 Bultaco Streaker
Post Listing Update: The BIN was lowered to $6,000, but that still wasn’t enough to attract any action on this Bultaco Streaker. The Bultaco Streaker was a beautiful little cafe racer that was only produced for 3 years. Rumors suggest that just 28 were imported into the US before the EPA changed emissions regulations in 1979, effectively rendering this bike …
64 Miles – 1974 Honda Monkey Z50J
Post Sale Update: This Monkey sold for $3,350 after 16 bids on eBay. I was on a big Monkey kick after I got to try the new one, and I’m still always on the lookout for interesting examples. This ’74 model is a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) example and it’s got just 102 kilometers on the odometer (64 miles).
703 Miles – 1989 Honda XL600V Transalp
Post Listing Update: This Transalp did not meet reserve despite 35 bids up to $4,500 on eBay. When Honda brought the XL600V over from Europe in 1989, America wasn’t ready. The 583cc V-twin adventure bike was more capable than anyone could have imagined. Many news outlets noted its biggest limiting factor was the tires of the time. Twin spark heads …
Up-Specced and Fullly-Faired – 2005 Suzuki SV650
As a competent and economical platform, Suzuki’s SV650 makes for a solid choice as the base for a wide array of different types of builds. A popular move is turning the mid-sized twin into a sport or track bike, and that’s exactly what we’ve got here; a well-farkled SV that’s been equipped with a myriad of cosmetic and performance modifications/upgrades.
Factory AMA Superbike – 2012 Pegram Racing BMW S1000RR
Post Listing Update: New listing, but same result. This bike did not get any interest at the BIN of $15,000. 4-20-2019 Update: Two years later, the same seller has put this bike back up with a $6k discount. You can now find it for sale still in Palm Coast, Florida with a BIN of $15,000 here on eBay. According to …
Project with Race History – 1972 Harley-Davidson XR750
Post Sale Update: This XR750 sold for $18,000 after 8 bids on eBay. Offered with no reserve, this XR750 was raced throughout the 70s and 80s by Mike Boyes, who then sold it to Yoshi of Garage Company. It was then sold to Mike Cheiky, then to New York City Motorcycles, and now it’s with someone in Venice, California who’s …
2009 Suzuki SV650
Post Listing Update: This SV was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The Suzuki SV650 is like the modern day Honda CB750. 700cc standard bikes are common these days, but 10 years ago the choices were limited to the Ducati Monster and the Suzuki SV650. Suzuki’s 645cc V-twin has since been written in trackday folklore, eventually becoming stuck …
1928 BMW R52
Designed to be a tourer, the BMW R52 featured a 486cc boxer twin that generated 12 horsepower. The three-speed transmission had just been redesigned for this model, during a time frame when BMW was constantly making changes. Due to this, BMW switched to pressed-steel frames by the end of 1929, meaning the rare R52 was produced for just two years.
1959 Victoria Avanti
Mecum calls the Victoria Avanti the little sister to the Tin Banana. Victoria’s advertising called it “the ideal light weight motorcycle”. Whatever you call it, the Avanti is a distinctive 50cc moped with some exquisite details.
In Australia – 1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 Custom
Post Listing Update: This custom Guzzi did not get any interest at the BIN of $20,000. Built by Max’s Moto Works of southeastern Australia, this custom Guzzi started as a 850 T3. Thanks to custom bodywork and a long list of rebuilt mechanicals, it’s now an interesting one-off cafe racer.