Everyone knows (and pretty much loves) the Norton Commando 850 Mk. 3 – but here’s one that has a.) my favorite paint scheme and b.) a little bit of fame, thanks to the fact that it was the featured bike on the cover of the Clymer Commando repair guide:
2,700 Miles – 1989 Honda Transalp
Post-Sale Update: After 6 bids on eBay, this Honda Transalp sold for $2,700. The Honda Transalp was a dual-sport that was truly ahead of its time. A slightly less off-road biased cousin of the Honda Africa Twin, the Transalp was first released in 1987. This was one of the odder bikes that Honda ever sold – truly a jack of …
1969 BMW R60 ISDT Replica
Post Listing Update: This BMW did not meet reserve with 22 bids up to $5,100. Here’s a BMW ISDT Replica with the engine from a ’60 R60. The seller says it’s full of features you won’t see on the street bikes, including the knobby tires, off-road fenders, headlight guard, skid plate, scrambler exhaust, handlebar clock, and more.
1973 Triumph Hurricane
The Triumph Hurricane X-75 represented a paradigm shift in motorcycling manufacturing, as it was the world’s first factory custom motorcycle. The brainchild of Craig Vetter (well known as a motorcycle designer and manufacturer of custom motorcycle fairings) and Don Brown (General Manager of BSA), the Hurricane was created when Brown called Vetter up on a secret project to create a …
1939 BMW R12
You guys seemed to enjoy the R35 from two days ago, so let’s go with another classic BMW – the R12, an incredibly popular bike in its day. In fact, almost 30,000 were made, 2/3 of which were civilian models (the rest built for the Wehrmacht), making this the most successful BMW until the R75/5 came along.
Owned by Buell – 1983 Harley-Davidson XR1000
Post Sale Update: This XR sold for $12,700 after 20 bids on eBay. The Harley-Davidson XR1000 was a street-oriented evolution of the legendary XR750. Here’s a nice example of the sportiest street bike H-D made at the time with some special provenance – it was formerly owned by none other than Erik Buell.
1993 Honda CR500 Ice Racer
The Honda CR500 was a monster of a dirt bike, with the two-stroke engine putting out about 55 horsepower that were arguably difficult to control. The bike weighed 247 pounds, and it was terrifying enough that MXA magazine called it Mr. Hyde compared to the Dr. Jekyll of a much newer Honda CRF450, even though the latter is no slouch.
1,723 Miles – 1971 BSA Lightning A65
Personally, I prefer the looks of the older Lightning, but it’s hard to argue with the condition of this oil-in-frame BSA Lightning A65.
1981 Honda Motocompo
Post-Sale Update: After 23 bids on eBay, this Honda Motocompo sold for $2,026. Sold for only 3 years, the Honda Motocompo was a tiny 50cc folding scooter designed to fit into the trunks of the subcompact cars Honda was making at the time, like the City. In fact, the City’s trunk was designed specifically to house the Motocompo. Nowadays, they’re …
Built by Randakk – Supercharged Honda GL1000
Post-Listing Update: Bidding somehow only got up to $7,300, where it did not meet reserve. According to Randakk’s site, it sold to a German collector for an unknown amount. Back in May, I noted that Randakk, Goldwing fanatic and supercharger expert, was about to release an absolutely fantastic supercharged Honda GL1000. I frankly figured it would have sold quickly, but …
1948 BSA YB34
I’ve never heard of this bike before, but the seller claims it’s a rare competition version of BSA’s 500cc single. This bike exposes my lack of BSA knowledge – I’m familiar with the ’48 YB32 Gold Star, and the ZB34 Gold Star which came about a year later – but a YB34 is not something I know anything about. Quick …
1972 Honda CB500 Cafe Racer
Here’s a custom Honda CB500 Cafe Racer that was commissioned by the seller at a local shop in Los Angeles. Since the build, the bike has just 2,000 miles. It apparently runs well and is a reliable daily rider. Minor flaws are limited to brakes that need to be adjusted and a small oil leak. Find this Honda CB500 Cafe …
Brand New – 1974 Indian ME-100
Post-Listing Update: This ME-100 did not meet reserve at $2,225. Here’s a basically brand new example of a 40 year-old Indian ME-100 – one of the classic examples of Indian’s flirtation with tiny displacement off-road bikes. The ME-100 featured a Fuji F500K engine, which displaced 97cc. In 1974, the ME-100 got upgraded to a 22mm carb, and power went through …
Great Deal – 2005 BMW R1200GS
I think the R1200GS is a great bike, but it’s just a little too common for me to feature regularly on Bike-urious. With that said, I’ve made a point in the past of featuring a less unique bike if it’s a smoking deal – and I think this GS fits the bill. It’s been well loved for the last 26,000 …
1948 BMW R35
By the time production had ended, the BMW R35 was the German firm’s most successful motorcycle in history. It was introduced in 1937 and was capable of about 100km/h (60mph).