Post Listing Update: This Pranafa was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Originally imported to the US by Hap Alzina, the west coast BSA dealer, the Pranafa Playboy was a mini-scooter built by Dr. Seiffert in Frankfurt, Germany. The intent was something to have something you could take to work but be so small you could park it …
1942 Excelsior Villiers Welbike
Post Sale Update: This Welbike sold for $12,433 after 33 bids on eBay in Seattle, Washington. At the request of the British government, Excelsior developed the Welbike, a tiny single seater that was designed to be dropped into combat situations via parachute-equipped containers. The goal was that it could be unpacked and ready to ride within 11 seconds.
Leon Haslam Pit Bike Replica – 2004 Italjet Dragster 50
In 2004, Leon Haslam earned Rookie of the Year honors while competing in World Superbike with the Renegade team with Noriyuki Haga. Leon’s best finish was 3rd, and he finished the season in 8th place. Italjet released a limited edition replica of his pit bike with a special cosmetic package that replicated what Leon would occasionally putt around on.
No Reserve Project – 1977 VéloSoleX 4600
Post Sale Update: sold for $102.50 after 21 bids on eBay. After Motobecane took over the company in 1974, VéloSoleX made several changes to their front-wheel drive motorized bicycle to comply with US DOT regulations. Updates to the 4600 in 1977 resulted in the V3 model, including CEV switchgear, ULO taillight, and UNION pedals.
No Reserve Chappy – 1974 Yamaha LB80
Post Sale Update: This little Yamaha sold for $1,610.58 after 26 bids on eBay. Also known as the “Chappy”, here’s a cute little step-through scooter that was releasedto compete with Honda’s tiny trail bikes – the most common options were the LB50 and this LB80, the latter of which features an oil-injected 82cc engine and a 2-speed, 2-stage transmission.
1960 NSU Quickly
In 1936, NSU introduced a moped called the Quick. It was quite popular – they sold almost 250,000 over a production run that lasted until 1953. Even more popular was the successor, the amusingly-named “Quickly.” From 1953-1968, NSU sold over a million units! Here’s a 60 year-old survivor.
First Ride Review – 2021 Honda ADV150
View PostYamaha Champ CJ50RS
Post Sale Update: This Champ sold for $2,000 in Marina del Rey, California on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Over on the auction site, we’ve got an adorable two-stroke scooter than was never officially sold in the US.
Rossi’s Pit Bike? 2007 Yamaha C3
Post Sale Update: The new owner says that they purchased this for $4,000 on Craigslist in Los Gatos, California. Valentino Rossi placed 4th in the US round of the 2007 MotoGP Championship at Laguna Seca. According to the seller, this scoot was what Rossi rode in the pits that year.
1965 Jawa Manet 100
Post Sale Update: This Manet sold for $1,844 after 19 bids on eBay in Addison, Illinois. Built between 1958 and 1969, the Manet S-100 was a Czechoslovakian scooter built by Povazske Strojirny that was claimed to return 100 mpg (no, that’s not where the name came from). During that production run, the company became part of Jawa – 51,244 examples …
Rare Project – 1980 Honda Cabina
Post Sale Update: This Cabina sold for $880 after 10 bids on eBay in Torrance, California. At first glance, I thought this was a BMW C1, but it turns out it’s a scoot I had never heard of before – the 50cc Honda Cabina. Designed as a personal commuter ‘which combined the excellent mobility of a motorcycle with the comfort …
2006 Honda Big Ruckus PS250
The Ruckus was a surprising hit for Honda, due almost entirely to the aftermarket customization that has skyrocketed around the 50cc scooter. What many people don’t know is that Honda offered a ‘full-size’ version called the Honda Big Ruckus for 4 years in Japan and 2 years in the US/Canada.
New In Box – 1987 Kamasura VRX250
Post Sale Update: This monument to deception sold for $910 after 11 bids on eBay in East Syracuse, New York. In the November 12th, 1986 issue of Cycle News (you’ll need a subscription to their archive to view it), a Southern California company called Continental Marketing announced that they were undertaking some market research of a 250cc street bike that …
1968 Solex Micron
Post Listing Update: This Solex did not get any interest at the opening bid of $3,900 on eBay. I’ve featured a few two-wheelers from the French manufacturer Solex over the years, but this is the first example I’ve seen of the Micron, their smallest creation.
Custom Scooter – Bomb Bike
Someone in New Zealand has built a one-off that he calls the Bomb Bike. Hopefully it’s obvious why…