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1991 Honda Monkey Baja

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Monkey Baja sold for $4,245 after 5 bids on eBay in Luling, Texas. In 1991, Honda released a new variant of the Monkey/Z50R. Called the Baja, it featured rally-style dual headlights in addition to the taillight and turn signals. They were not officially sold in the US, but this example has made its way across the …

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1981 Honda Gorilla Z50J Tokyo LTD

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Gorilla sold for $2,550 after 21 bids on eBay in Austin, Texas. The nomenclature is pretty straightforward – what’s bigger than a Monkey? A Gorilla! Honda started offering a big brother to the Monkey in 1978, though they’re very difficult to find in the US. This one’s even harder to find, as it’s a limited edition …

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1965 Honda S90

In Japan, Small Displacement by Jeffrey PamerLeave a Comment

In the mid/late sixties and early 70’s, Honda was busy. For one, they were developing and releasing arguably one of the most important motorcycles of all time, the CB750. Simultaneously, they were also putting a reliable, well-built engine into a series of purpose-built motorbikes. The single cylinder 90cc engine was the heart of their CL90, CT90, CD90, the iconic C90, …

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1978 Cosmo Colt

In Italy, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Cosmopolitan Motors of Hatboro, Pennsylvania closed down earlier this decade, but for a while they had claim to the title of America’s oldest motorcycle distributor. Back in their heyday you could stop by and find bikes from a wide range of smaller Italian manufacturers – many Parillas, Benellis, Capriolos, Garellis, Betas, (and more) featured here on Bike-urious were originally sold …

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1947 LaRay Power Cycle

In America, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

LaRay Engineering and Equipment Company was a short-lived American manufacturer based in Milwaukee. LaRay’s only model, the Power Cycle, was built for only one year supposedly somewhere between ’46 and ’48. A reported 2,500 units left the Wisconsin factory prior to the IRS shutting La Ray down for unpaid back taxes.

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1981 Honda Gorilla

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Gorilla sold for $3,850 after 40 bids on eBay in Austin, Texas. If you’ve been following this site for a while, you’re more than familiar with the Honda Monkey. But did you know that starting in 1978, Honda made a bigger brother called the Gorilla? There were no folding-to-fit-in-a-trunk pretensions, it was just a small motorcycle …

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1 of 22 – 1971 Speedway Silver Shadow

In America, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

For many minibike collectors, the Silver Shadow is the Holy Grail. Speedway called it the world’s fastest mini-cycle thanks to a 12.5 horsepower Sachs 2-stroke motor and a weight of just 147 pounds. It’s also incredibly rare (I’ve seen estimates that just 22 were built), which means it can be surprisingly valuable – I’ve featured one in the past that …