This BMW R75/5 was just completed for this year’s show season, and it features a rebuilt motor with a Siebenrock 1000cc kit and plenty of custom touches. What do you think about it?
Unexpected Custom Ending Soon – 1986 Yamaha SDR200
Originally built just for the Japanese market, the SDR200 was a small cafe racer that predated the Ducati Monster with a trellis frame, naked styling, and the three-spoke wheels. It was only offered for one year, and a tiny amount of them found their way in to the grey market to be resold in Europe, Australia, and the US. Because …
Never Run – 1970 Sprite 405 Talon
Founded by Frank Hipkin in the mid ’60s, Sprite Motor Cycles (later known as Sprite Developments) as a small British off-road motorcycle company that built trials bikes and scramblers, usually as a kit. One of their bigger efforts was the 405 Talon, and it was exported to several countries under different names: the BVM 405 in Belgium, Alron 405 in …
Needs Some Work – 1981 Bultaco Frontera MKII Model 215A
The seller of this Frontera notes that it is a rare Model 215 “A”, which means it was “manufactured while the Spanish government was in charge of the company.”
Needs Some Work – 1963 IWL Troll
First founded in 1936 by the Daimler-Benz Company for the purpose of producing military aircraft engines, Industriewerke Ludwigsfelde — or IWL — was a German manufacturing firm based just outside of Berlin. Because IWL was making engines for the Luftwaffe, its factory was targeted and bombed during WW2. After the war, the Soviets came and stripped most of the remaining …
Custom Café – 1973 Honda CB750K2
It may feel to some, as it does to me, that the café bike trend has had a resurgence of late. That since about the turn of the millennium, there has been a steady uptick of interest in the bikes, and subculture. We can certainly agree that when Triumph released the Thruxton in 2004, and a couple of years later …
Made in Portugal – 2018 AJP PR7 Rally
Founded by Antonio J Pinto in 1987, AJP is a Portuguese motorcycle manufacturer that found quick success with national enduro championships. They’re barely known in the US, but nowadays they offer some price competitive enduros that combine Chinese motors with impressive components that include Sachs suspension, DOMA exhaust, billet bar mounts/footpegs/triple clamps, and even an Android tablet for navigation/gauges.
1 Owner – 1983 Suzuki SP500
“Tough. Gutsy. Fun on the road. Even more fun off.” That’s how Suzuki introduced the new-for-1981 SP500. It was durable but a little overweight, and nowadays it’s tough to find a clean survivor.
Unexpected Sidecar – 1995 Yamaha TW200
The seller calls this Tee Dub the “ultimate bugout vehicle, which seems appropriate as it’s a TW and it’ll be capable of going just about anywhere on or off road (albeit slowly). On top of that, it’s got a sidecar and the requisite army green paint.
Bender – 1982 Yamaha Virago XV750 Cafe Racer
Named Bender, this Virago was rebuilt as a custom cafe racer that was on display at the 2018 Handbuilt Show and 2019 Mama Tried Show.
Left Side Shift – 1976 Triumph Bonneville 750
In 1976, Triumph swapped sides for the shifter and rear brake pedals to comply with new US regulations that required the shifter on the left. While they were at it, they also installed new petcocks with ON and OFF markings (again, a new US requirement) and swapped out the rear drum brake for a disc.
Eastern Fabrications’ “Red Asphalt” – 2018 Motus MST-R Custom
Built by Lock Baker of Eastern Fabrications (and the man behind Lockhart Knives), this all-American custom took approximately two years to painstakingly piece together. At the heart of the build is the 180hp, 100ci pushrod V4 engine borrowed from the now-defunct Motus MST-R. Wrapped around the mill is a one-off frame paired with a custom swing-arm. Running gear is all …
1954 BMW R25/3
The seller of this beautiful R25 has “traced its lineage/owners back as far as 1968,” noting that he’s got a “reasonably accurate history, down to the Swiss ammo pouch that belonged to Dieter Drews who mounted it on the luggage rack circa 1983, exactly where it resides to this day.”
Rare Pre-Tuono – 2001 Aprilia Falco w/ Factory Streetfighter Kit
Prior to the release of the popular sport naked Tuono, Aprilia offered a factory streetfighter kit for its Falco (or SL1000) model. On top of the Falco’s $10,999 MSRP, owners could opt to shell out an additional $2K for a slick street fighter package.
3,141 Miles – 1987 Honda Hurricane CBR1000F
The Honda Hurricane, besides having one of the greatest names in motorcycling history, was an excellent sport-tourer that introduced some crucial technology into the Honda lineup. It eventually evolved into the well-known Blackbird. Available in 1000cc and 600cc versions, the design of the bigger bike has aged a bit better with time. This is one of the more expensive offerings …