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Rare Project – 1961 Parilla Clipper 350

In Italy, Standard by Ted CloughLeave a Comment

Parilla is an Italian motorcycle company formed after World War II. Famous for their “high cam” engines, they made several different model bikes, mostly small-displacement utilitarian and commuter bikes for the postwar market. Some models were imported to the US, and supported by Cosmopolitan Motors until the late 60’s. This is a rare, twin-cylinder, 350cc “Clipper” model. Acccording to the …

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1999 MV Agusta F4 750 Serie Oro

In Italy, Sport by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Back in 1999 MV Agusta relaunched their brand with the F4 Serie Oro (Italian for “Gold Series), a cutting edge bike at the time of which only 300 units would be produced with 60 of those units shipping to the US. The F4 was a product of legendary moto-designer and Bimota cofounder; Massimo Tamburini, shortly after he designed the iconic …

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1967 BSA Thunderbolt

In England, Less than 5k, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

5-12 Update: Rob B notes that this bike is back up for sale with a hefty discount down to $3,300. Find it here on Craigslist. The baby sister of the Lightning, BSA’s Thunderbolt got the usual 650cc twin but it was paired with just one Amal carb compared to the two carbs of the faster Lightning. Known internally as the …

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1965 Yamaha YM1

In Japan, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

In 1953 Japanese musical instrument maker Nippon Gakki decided to use some idle manufacturing capacity to build motorcycles. Named after one of the founders of the company, Yamaha produced their first motorcycle the YA1 based heavily on the DKW 125 design liberated from post war Germany. By 1957 Yamaha had developed a 250 CCtwo stroke twin cylinder that became the …

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1972 Honda CB175

In Japan, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Introduced in 1969 the CB175 was one of three ‘175’ models available from Honda. The CL Scrambler, the CD Motorsport and the CB Supersport. Good savvy marketing from Honda allowed them to sell essentially the same motorcycle in three variants.

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Ending Soon – 2007 BMW R1200S

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After 25 bids on eBay, this R1200S sold for $5,750. “Born in heaven, raised in hell.” That was one of the slogans BMW used when they introduced the R1200S, an evolution of the R1100S that fell much more on the ‘sport’ side of the sport-touring equation. It was the sportiest boxer twin BMW had ever built, and …

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1965 Montesa Impala Sport 250

In Spain, Sport by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Impala Sport sold for the BIN of $10,500. Montesa was formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Paco Bulto. After some significant success in racing and sales Bulto left the company (leading to the formation of Bultaco) in 1958. By 1960 Montesa had brought out it’s first Impala, a 175 CC. 1965 saw …

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1977 Yamaha XS750

In Japan, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Yamaha officially entered the ‘big bore’ wars in 1973 with the TX 750 twin. Using two balancers that made the twin as smooth as any four it made an immediate impact on the market, until the balancers started failing and Yamaha couldn’t give the TX away. Fast forward four years to 1977 and Yamaha was back in the big bore …

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1974 Hodaka Road Toad

In America, Japan, Off-Road, Small Displacement by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

When it comes to naming motorcycle models, Hodaka might win. Rat. Super Rat. Dirt Squirt. Combat. Wombat. Wombat Combat. Ace. Road Toad. Hodaka was a Japanese motor builder for Yamaguchi motorcycles in 1963 when Yamaguchi went bankrupt. PABTCO, based in Athena, Oregon went looking for a replacement to fill the void left in their sales niche. The fact that PABTCO’s …

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2010 BMW S1000RR Race Bike

In Germany, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

The S1000RR sportbike was a revelation when it was first revealed, and it was an excellent platform for enthusiastic street riders and track racers. Here’s one that’s been focused on the latter – the seller has seen 178 miles per hour at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California – are you willing to try and top that?