Post Listing Update: This lot of Z50s did not get any action at the opening bid of $19,000. I can’t imagine who would want to buy this, but someone is offering a collection of 13 Honda Z50s ranging from 1979 to 1999. They’re all claimed to be in “great original condition”, but what do you do with this? Start a …
Rare 4-Speed With Clutch – 1971 Honda CT70 HKO
Post Listing Update: This CT did not meet reserve despite 19 bids up to $4,300 on eBay. Thanks to the success of the Z50 “Monkey”, especially in Europe and the US, Honda knew there would be room to create another mini-bike with a slightly larger engine. Keeping the simple and positively childish concept for their new creation, Honda built the …
1969 Honda Z50A “Monkey”
In 1961, at the Tama Tech Park in Japan, a Honda-owned motorsport theme park, one of the attractions included the use of kid-size bikes called the Z100. Due to the way people looked while riding it – with arms and legs stuck out at sharp angles – the name of “Monkey” was quickly given to the bike. Seeing the success …
“American” MXer – 1974 Indian MT100
Decades before Polaris Industries acquired Indian Motorcycle, the manufacturer traded hands numerous times, giving rise to a number of very…non-Indian Indians. For a time Brockhouse Engineering sold rebadged and slightly modified Royal Enfields under the Indian name. The company was later sold off again, this time to AMC, which proceeded to sell rebadged AJS and Matchless bikes as Indians, though …
Kitted Cub – 1966 Honda C100 with Roadster Kit
While Honda found success with its small step-through models in most markets, the Japanese marque struggled to sell scooters in the same numbers in the US. Honda looked to change this with the introduction of what it called the “Custom Group”, consisting of four different add-on kits (the Roadster, Rally, Boss, and Student) designed to make little runners like the …
1938 DKW Diamant
Post Listing Update: This Diamant did not meet reserve with just 2 bids up to $1,500. In Sweden, one of the most popular early motorcycles was the DKW-powered Diamant. Per the seller, the Diamant was “sold for about 400kr ($50), which represented about 2 months of salary for an industrial worker.“
1958 Laverda 100 Sport Lusso
Post Sale Update: This Laverda sold for $6,100 after 30 bids on eBay. Sport and Luxury in the same model name, what a combination! Laverda’s 100 Sport Lusso was built in two series, and this ’58 model is from the latter. In the second series, this lovely Laverda 100 was available in “Gran Turismo” or “Sport Lusso” trims.
“Eris Speedcub” – 1998 Honda C90 Custom
I always enjoy when custom builders utilize cheap, small displacement donors for thoroughly involved projects, and this Honda is a wonderful example of such. This little runner started its life as a very used 1998 Honda Cub C90 that was stripped down to the frame. The headstock off a modern pit bike was sourced, prior to being chopped up and …
First Year in North America – 2003 Honda Ruckus
Post Sale Update: this Ruckus sold for $1,151 after 13 bids on Goodwill. The Honda Ruckus is a very unique modern scooter which combines distinctive styling, a CVT transmission, and excellent fuel economy (114 mpg) to become a popular in-town runabout. Here’s an example with just 660 miles that’s been donated to a Goodwill, so you can feel good about …
1968 Suzuki MoKick M31
Another day, another Honda Cub clone from a Japanese competitor! This is the M31, which was also known as the MoKick (because you started it by kicking, like a motorcycle, as opposed to pedaling, like a moped) or the Suzy 55.
1972 Yamaha U7E
This rare step through is a Yamaha U7E, and in the US it was only available for one year. I’ve never seen one before, and I even struggled to find reliable sources of information for basic specs. Do any of you have experience with this little scoot? And do you think it’s cuter than a Honda Cub?
Lucky Strike Livery – 1992 Suzuki RG150 Gamma
I’m not sure how, but this small displacement Suzuki sport bike has been imported to the US, and it’s plated in California! I’m hoping someone knows more about these bikes than I do, though, because I was under the impression that in ’92 Suzuki only offered a RG125 and RG200. Is the seller correct in saying this is a RG150?
Street Legal 2-Stroke in CA – 2000 Cagiva Mito 125
In 1994, Cagiva updated the styling of their little Mito 125 with a redesign by none other than Massimo Tamburini – that’s why it looks like like his iconic 916! These are absurdly rare in the United States (according to Mecum, just 20 were imported in 2000), and this one is extra special for residents of California because it’s plated …
Rare in the US – 1991 Gilera CX125
Post Listing Update: This CX did not get any interest at the opening ask of $7,995. 5-3-2018 Update: Looks like the original sale did not go through, and this rare Gilera is back up for sale. The unmet opening bid is $7,995 here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After 2 bids on eBay, this Gilera sold for $5,900. The coolest looking …
Training Tool – 1990 Honda CB125T
For just one year, Honda made 2,000 examples of a 125cc twin specifically designed for US rider’s education schools. The bike itself isn’t really anything special, but there are some fascinating lights on the front and rear that should be explained.