This weekend, Mecum is auctioning off a whole bunch of collector cars…and two weird motorcycles. One is a special construction chopper that I can’t find interesting no matter how hard I try, while the other is a custom Honda with a matching trailer. For some reason, it’s been turned into a “Ferrari.”
Yamaha Way-Back Machines
Vintage dirt bikes and enduros have become very popular lately. People have been dragging them out of their garages and barns and cleaning them up and they show up in large numbers at events like Barber Vintage Festival. Cruising Craigslist as I do (it’s a problem, I know) it appears the trend may be peaking. When you see a lot …
1976 Bimota SB2
I’ve featured a couple of SB2s in the past, but this is the first one that’s available in the US. This was one of the first streetbikes with a monoshock and it had adjustable steering geometry.
De Angelis Elaborazioni’s “LaDina” – 1992 BMW K1100LT Custom
Giorgio De Angelis has been a diehard motorcycle enthusiast for the vast majority of his life. The Roman grew up competing in a diverse selection of motorized two-wheeled competition, but now that De Angelis has gotten older – or “more mature” as he puts it – his attention has turned towards building custom bikes under the name De Angelis Elaborazioni. …
Custom and Special – 1981 Yamaha XS650 Special II
Post Listing Update: This XS650 did not get any interest at asking price of $4,300. In varying forms, the Yamaha XS650 was built between 1968–1985. In 1978, Yamaha introduced a “Special” variant that was more of a cruiser, as well as a Special II that had less chrome, decals instead of plastic on the side covers, and for some reason, …
Impressive Replica – “1975” Bimota HB1
View Post17 Miles In Hungary – 1984 Fantic Sprinter
Formed in 1968 by Dr. Mario Agrati and Henry Keppel Hesselink, Fantic Motor is best known for off-roaders and mini bikes. One of their many quirky motos was the Sprinter Multispeed, which might be the most “80s” looking two-wheeler I’ve ever seen. This one stands out as it has just 17 miles on the odometer.
Light Up Your Garage – 1980 Suzuki Dealer Sign
The perfect accessory for your Suzuki collection, this 37 year-old sign served as a dealer prop in a past life. Now you can use it to impress your buddies.
1959 BSA 650 Special
With Rocket Gold Star headers, the front end from a Lightning, and plenty of other BSA parts, this mutt of a Beeza may not impress the purists but it looks like it would be a blast to ride.
No Reserve – 2004 Honda Rune
View PostNew In Crate – 1980 Honda CBX
I’ve featured a couple of CBXs in the last week, but this one takes the cake. It’s still in the crate!
Built with the Original Plans – 1955 Moto Guzzi V8
11-10-17 Update: Reader Don L. notes that this ripper is back up for sale – you can find it for sale with bidding up to $40,100 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This fantastic Guzzi did not meet reserve despite 95 bids up to $56,100. Because I’m in Italy, all 3 of today’s bikes have been some seriously impressive Italians. …
Rare High-Mile Mini – 1983 Honda Motra
The Honda Motra – also known as the CT50 – is a particularly funky little mini. Honda marketed the Motra as a rugged mini-scoot capable of schlepping a surprisingly heavy payload. The unique 50cc Honda was only sold in the Japanese market, but a handful of models have made their way to US shores thanks to what I can only …
1 of 250 – 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC
Post Sale Update: This Z1R-TC sold for $27,300 after 20 bids on eBay. TCC stood for the Turbo Cycle Corporation, and it was created to sell bolt on turbos for motorcycles built by American Turbo-Pak. The founder of TCC was a former Kawasaki USA employee named Alan Masek, and he used his contacts to help develop the first ‘production’ turbocharged …
Custom Street Tracker – 2003 Harley-Davidson 883R
Despite the genre’s moniker being objectively oxymoronic, “Street Tracker” builds have become increasingly popular in recent years, with most custom-moto sites now giving the genre its own section alongside cafe racers and bobbers. With this rise in popularity we’ve seen an increasing number of amateur tracker builds, some being far more impressive than others. To get it right you really …