“Stretched and raked” are normally terms used to describe choppers, but this unexpected custom started as a Trail 90!
In Japan – 1980 Yamaha Vogel
A utility-focused variant of the Pocke, the Vogel (German for “bird”) was a minibike that competed with Honda’s monkey bikes.
One Owner – 1965 Honda S90
You all know I love the Honda S90, and it’s been a little while since I’ve featured one. This is definitely on the higher end of the price spectrum, but how many one owner bikes do you see for sale from 1965?
Basically New – 1970 Moto Beta XTR 100
3-24-18 Update: 2 and a half years later, this XTR is still for sale – the seller reached out to me directly and he said he’s willing to take offers. Find it here on Craigslist for $3,800 or best offer. With just 11 miles, this Moto Beta XTR has barely been used, though some of the finish and decals have …
In France – 1976 Malaguti Olympique
Post Listing Update: This Malaguti did not get any interest at the opening ask of $2,000. Europe’s tiered licensing system has created demand for smaller bikes that youngsters are limited to, and back in the 70s one of the most popular categories was the 50cc ‘sport moped’ – the dream of many a teenager. The best seller was the Yamaha …
One Year Only – 1988 Honda ZB50
Only sold in the US, Canada, and western Europe in 1988, the ZB50 was supposed to be a street sister to the Z50R dirt bike, but it ended up being too expensive for Honda to build and the US only got 3,058 examples before Honda killed it off.
“Red Head” – 1970 Malanca Testa Rossa 50
Post Listing Update: This Malanca did not meet reserve despite 30 bids up to $3,051. Based out of Bologna, Italy, Malanca was a motorcycle manufacturer that had some success in small displacement racing. This is one of their impressive scooters, a 50cc “Testa Rossa”. That translates to Red Head, and depending on who you listen to the name either came …
1997 Yamaha TZM50R
It’s relatively easy to get your hands on a YSR50 in the US, but the two-stroke follow-up (called the TZM50R) is quite a rare find indeed. It represented a stronger attempt by Yamaha to counter the highly successful Honda NSR50 mini bike racer.
Ending Soon – 1998 Honda NSR 80
Post Listing Update: This NSR did not meet reserve despite 20 bids up to $3,619.69. Never officially imported to the US, the NSR 80 was a mini bike that was capable of being street legal.
Ending Soon – Restored 1974 Honda XR75
Post Sale Update: This XR75 sold for $4,050 after 43 bids on eBay. Introduced in early 1973, the XR75 was a popular platform for youngster that were getting into serious off-road riding – or even racing. Because of that, very few examples have survived in good shape. This one can’t be considered a survivor as the seller says it’s been …
Little-Known German Project – 1936 Presto Werke Type 208
Post Sale Update: Ed S one-upped himself and bought the Presto himself for $1,100! Check it out in his office in the comments. Update: 5 months later, reader Ed S notes that this Presto is back up for sale. The asking price has plummeted from $25,000 to $2,400 – you can find it here on Craigslist in Boulder, Colorado. Presto …
1994 Honda Cub EZ90
Post Sale Update: This EZ90 sold for $2,650 after 41 bids on eBay. The Honda Cub EZ90 was a quirky flashback to the days of “you meet the nicest people on a Honda.” Designed to make motorcycles more friendly, the Honda EZ90 hid all of its mechanicals inside the futuristic plastic bodywork, and it even offered an electric start in …
Movie Star – Dumb and Dumber Mini Bike
Post Sale Update: After a whopping 100 bids on eBay, this movie prop sold for $50,029.99! If you’ve seen Dumb and Dumber, you must remember the mini bike that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels use to get to Aspen. According to the seller, two bikes were used for filming, and once shooting wrapped both were given away. One was given …
Front Wheel Drive Moped in England – 1962 VéloSoleX 2200
Post Listing Update: This Solex was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The brand name of Solex goes back to the 1910s, back when they were known for the production of automotive parts like radiators and carbs. In 1940, one of the founders (Marcel Mennesson) built a prototype motor and mounted it on a bicycle. After years of …
Unexpected Custom – 1983 Yamaha RX50
Post Sale Update: after being relisted, this little Yamaha sold for $2,200 on eBay. Japan enjoyed some weird 50cc bikes in the 80s, and some of the weirdest were the baby choppers like Suzuki’s OR50. Yamaha’s entry to the market was released in 1983 as part of a promotion for the “Midnight Special” cruiser line. They called it the RX50, …