It would be easy to assume that the engine in the XJ550 was just a destroked 650, but that ain’t fair. It was almost an all-new design, with a 6-speed transmission, chain final drive, and a new cylinder head with Yamaha’s YICS system that enabled 50+ mpg fuel consumption. It was a solid mid-sized motorcycle with a love it or …
1982 Honda MB5
View PostRothmans Rep – 1992 Honda NSR250SP
Thanks to a repaint and thousands of dollars worth of extras, this MC21 NSR250SP looks absolutely gorgeous.
Classic Sidecar – 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado and Steib Repro Hack
If you can overlook some minor imperfections, here’s your chance for a vintage sidecar rig that just oozes cool.
1956 MV Agusta CSTL
The MV Agusta CSTL was the Italian firm’s first production four-stroke. Here’s an example with rough paint (which I find endearing in this situation) but solid mechanicals – to me, this is classic bike heaven.
1974 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
View Post1969 BSA Rocket 3
Sharing its roots with the Triumph Trident, the BSA Rocket 3 was a 750cc triple that was designed to extend the model line beyond 650 twins. It was specifically built for the US market, which wanted larger displacements and less vibrations. BSA’s financials suffered with the production of this bike, but nearly 27,500 of the Trident/Rocket 3’s were produced between …
Nice Price – 1982 Honda Ascot VT500
Named after Ascot Park, a former flat-track raceway in Los Angeles, the Honda Ascot (also known as the VT500) was a V-Twin standard that was styled after flat-track bikes. I used to think the front headlight looked silly, and in the process I unfairly over-looked the Ascot. It didn’t sell well, but owners are passionate about this bike – an …
12 Miles – 2002 Ducati MH900E
View PostBaby Hawk – 1967 Honda CB160
View Post1972 Jawa Californian 350
Post Listing Update: This Californian was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Also known as the ‘Roadster Model 362″, the Jawa Californian was a quirky standard that would be outclassed in a game of Top Trumps against its Japanese competition, but made up for it with eccentric style and features.
1975 Kawasaki Rickman CR900
Post Listing Update: This Rickman did not meet reserve despite 39 bids up to $25,000. There’s a lot to like about this early Rickman kit. It’s powered by the engine from a Z1 that was rebuilt at 1,105cc with 10:1 compression ratio, with a claimed 125 horsepower at the rear wheel. It’s got all of the invoices and paperwork going …
In Italy – 1977 Laverda LH4
For me, hearing “Laverda” evokes an image of a big, loud, (and of course, very orange) street bike. But the Italian firm occasionally also dabbled into off-roaders – one of their more serious attempts was in the late 70s, with the LH4.
1954 Poirier Voiturette XW5 Monoto
A product of the French, the Poirier Voiturette was a tandem-seater design that was a hybrid between a motorcycle and a two-seater sports car. Voiturette roughly translates to ‘cycle-car’, which basically means ‘small motor vehicle’.
1968 Honda CB350
Introduced in 1968, the Honda CB350 became Honda’s best selling model when it was released – in its first year of production it was the best selling motorcycle in the world. Even though over 250,000 were sold in just five years, here’s one of the first 200 examples that rolled off the line.