There’s something special about micro-displacement trail bikes. So many of us have a sentimental attachment to these little machines as a lot of riders spent time romping around on these as kids, for a lot of people this was their first experience on a motorcycle. Restored examples of these machines aren’t very common and the direction this CT70’s builder took …
Restored – 1970 Bultaco El Bandido Mk2
Post Listing Update: This Bultaco did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $5,651.88. In 1967, Bultaco introduced their first open class bike and gave it one of the best names and logos in the business. It was called the El Bandido (obviously, The Bandit), and it was available in scrambles and MX variants. The Mark 2 version was …
Upgraded – 2003 Ducati 999S
The Ducati 999 was a controversial motorcycle and was greeted by mixed reviews upon its being debuted with much of the fuss being over the 999’s appearance, in particular the headlight. Regardless of its aesthetics the V-twin powered triple-nine did achieve its fair share of success in the racing-world with back-to-back WSBK championships in 2003 and 2004 along with a …
Fresh from the Petersen – 1954 Vespa Ape
6-17-17 Update: The former eBay listing says that this was sold on eBay for $25,100 after 42 bids, but it looks like that sale did not go through. Contributor Tim Huber notes that htis is now up for sale here on Craiglist for $30,000, still in Palos Verdes, California. Every once in awhile you get to see something so unique …
Project 88 – 1988 BMW R100RT Cafe Racer
Built by Gold Country Cafe Racers, this bike started as a previously cafe’d R100RT before Gold Country tore it down to the frame and went to work. What do you think of the end result?
Unexpected Custom – Kawasaki KLR with a Ducati V-Twin Motor
It looks like a KLR…but take a second look at that motor. Are you as confused as I am?
Rickman x Triumph “Britmota”
The now-defunct U.K.-Rickman motorcycles are probably best known for their chassis used on dirt-going two-wheelers but after establishing themselves in the 1960’s Scrambler-scene they embarked on their next series of projects: frames for road bikes/cafe racers. Because brothers: Derek and Don Rickman (of Rickman motorcycles) weren’t able to get the engines they wanted from major British-manufacturers they instead decided to …
2000 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport
Moto Guzzis are an acquired taste. If you’ve ever ridden one, you would immediately know what I mean. Their owners can be a quirky group, but you have to give them credit for their loyalty, and they tend to rack up the miles. The V11 was Guzzi’s attempt to grab a piece of the “sportbike” market in the late 1990’s.
Ending Soon – 1986 Suzuki RG500 Walter Wolf
There are a few iconic race/sport-oriented motorcycles that have stood the test of time far better than the majority of two wheelers and the Suzuki RG500 Gamma is a prime example of this. To this day, the RG500 retains its off-the-charts “cool-factor” with its fascinating bodywork and design, not that it wasn’t impressive from a mechanical or engineering standpoint for …
El Diablo – 1981 Moto Guzzi CX100 Custom
Post Sale Update: El Diablo sold for $9,500 on BaT. 6-15-17 Update: A month later, reader Sam P pointed out to me that this bike is now up for bidding at Bring a Trailer. Bidding is up to $3,001 and you can find it here on BaT. Post Listing Update: This CX100 did not meet reserve as bidding stalled at …
Turnkey RaceTeam: Pro 2015 Yamaha R3s
I recently sat down with Axcess Racing Team owner Dr. Laura Ellis for an interview about starting her team (that won the championship its first year!) and other race-related topics. It became increasingly clear to me that starting up a racing team, even one using “entry-level” production bikes is beyond taxing. It’s for this reason that makes coming across a …
In Italy – 2006 Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa
Post Listing Update: 30 bids on eBay got up to $22,300, but that wasn’t enough to meet reserve. Moto Guzzi Sport, Number 1 – that’s what MGS-01 stood for. Doesn’t matter what you called it, it was an unexpected taste of what Guzzi would be capable of if they wanted to rub shoulders with Ducati or Aprilia in the exotic, …
Mostly Correct – 1947 Indian Chief
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Chief sold for $22,000 with 42 bids. One of the best looking cruisers in history is the ’47 Chief, which is part of the reason why they aren’t cheap. This matching-numbers example was given a full mechanical restoration. You can tell what the seller was going for when he says “the paint came …
1987 Cagiva Alazzurra SS 650
Post Listing Update: Despite being relisted several times, this Alazzurra could not get interest at the asking price of $4,500. In 1985, Cagiva bought Ducati to jump start their entry into the big bike market. Cagiva immediately took the Pantah and evolved it into the Alazzurra, and in 1986 they released a fully-faired version called the SS 650.
YZ426 Motor, CRF250R Frame – BBR 426 Hybrid
One of only three ever made, this Brown Brothers Racing “YZ426S” is a truly fascinating hybrid motocrosser. Marrying the lightweight aluminum-frame from the (early-2000’s) nimble Honda CR250R with the Yamaha YZ426F’s proven power plant to deliver this high-performance made-to-order dirt-goer that sold for $20k back in the early 2000’s. Combining the best of both worlds, it’s not hard to see …