Post-Sale Update: After 6 bids on eBay, this Yamaha R7 OWO2 sold for $22,200. I’m still drooling. We’ve been on a little Yamaha homologation special this week, and it ends with what might just be the most beautiful road bike to ever come from Japan, the Yamaha R7, also known as the OWO2. Right from the factory floor, it was …
Featured First – 1950 BMW R51/2
Post-listing Update: This BMW R51/2 did not meet reserve at $18,900. Nowadays, BMW is well known for their “R” series of bikes, featuring a boxer engine (where you see opposed cylinders sticking outwards from the engine). All of those bikes can trace their heritage back to the BMW R51/2, BMW’s first post-war boxer. The Allies initially did not allow Germany …
Turbo Beemer – 1985 BMW K100RS
Post-Sale Update: After 19 bids on eBay, this BMW K100RS sold for $4,049. The BMW K100RS was widely praised when it was released, though purists were terrified of what a BMW without the boxer engine would be like. The company apparently pulled it off, as the K series (affectionately known as the Flying Brick) instantly won Bike of the Year. …
Homebrew Cafe – 2005 Suzuki Ryca 650 CS-1
Suzuki’s Boulevard S40, previously known as the LS650 Savage, is a simple, low-powered entry-level cruiser. A Los Angeles based company called Ryca saw a way to spice up the S40, with the Ryca 650 CS-1 kit. It takes a rather ugly semi-Sportster clone and turns it into a lithe cafe racer styled bike with some actual semblance of personality.
1 of 50: 1988 Ducati 750 Paso Limited Edition
Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Ducati Paso 750 Limited Edition sold for $2,550. Released in 1986 and named after racer Renzo Pasolini, the Ducati Paso was a bike created from odd beginnings. Built during the tumultuous years when Ducati was owned by Cagiva, this bike was designed to compete with the up and coming Japanese superbikes of …
Iron Pig – 1967 MZ ES 250 Trophy with Trailer
11-11 Update: This MZ ES 250 Trophy with Motorkuli Trailer has been relisted after no one bid on it. To be honest, we’re stunned. We know there’s concerns about buying overseas, and that this isn’t the prettiest of bikes, but we figured some collector out there would at least place a bid. Let’s see if the second time is the …
Featured First – 1986 Yamaha FZ600
Post-Sale Update: This Yamaha FZ600 has sold, price unknown. After years of compromising with their middleweight sportbike, trying to provide riders with all-around flexibility, Yamaha decided to go all out with their first ‘race replica’ – the Yamaha FZ600. Designed to capture some of the increased interest in MotoGP, this bike got the “PURE SPORTS” decal so you knew they …
1972 Husqvarna 450 WR
Post-Listing Update: Despite 11 bids on eBay, this Husqvarna 450 WR did not meet reserve at $2,600. In the 1960’s, Husqvarna had led the charge in turning British off-road bikes into relics. By the 70’s, Husky had become a dominant force in motocross, winning multiple world championships and Baja 1000s. 1972 was a banner year for the firm – their …
1 of 100 – 1982 BMW Krauser MKM 1000
Back in the early 80s, Krauser was the world’s largest manufacturer of detachable luggage for motorcycles, known especially for their bags used on BMWs and Goldwings. Mike Krauser, president of his namesake company, wanted to design a road machine that would be top of the line. The result was an entirely new concept in frame design, and the BMW Krauser …
1 of 29 – 2008 Bimota Tesi 3D Limited Edition Concept
Post-Sale Update: After 19 bids, this Bimota Tesi 3D Limited Edition Concept did not meet reserve at $25,501. 11-7 Update: Despite an ending bid of $28,600, this Bimota Tesi 3D has been relisted. Find it here on eBay with bidding back up to $21,100 and the reserve not yet met. We’ve been waiting a while to featured the Bimota Tesi …
1989 Honda Transalp XL600V
Post-Listing Update: This Honda Transalp XL600V got some offers but did not sell at the asking BIN price. After being relisted at a starting bid of $1,800, it still got no action. Odd. The Honda Transalp XL600V 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 …
2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE
Post-Sale Update: After 9 bids on eBay, this Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE sold for $16,920. One of this generation’s instant classics, the Ducati Paul Smart was a limited edition inspired by the Ducati race bikes of the 1970s – one of which was piloted by Paul Smart to a win at the Imola 200 in 1972. Limited to only 2,000 …
Don’t Drink and Drive – 2009 Budweiser Mini Chopper
Just like this bike, this post will be short and sweet. In the last few years, Budweiser ran a promotion where contestants could win a miniature chopper bike that was street-legal and capable of nearly 55 miles per hour, though we’d be terrified to do so!
1972 BSA Thunderbolt
BSA is probably best known for their Lightning, but they also had a touring complement known as the BSA Thunderbolt. Produced from 1964-1972, the bike had two major updates through its’ life. In our eyes, the designs got uglier over time – culminating in the bike we feature today.
34th Annual Hansen Dam All British Ride
Every year, the Southern California Norton Owner’s Club hosts a wonderful get together at Hansen Dam. The combined show and ride features decades of classic British iron – and you’re bound to see great bikes from other marques, new and old. We got an invite from a local BMW mechanic friend and couldn’t say no. As you’ve come to expect …