View Post

1959 Hercules K100

In Germany, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

10-18-17 Update: And just like that, this bike has sold! 10-18-17 Update: 20 months later, reader Bob K notes that this bike is back up for sale with a $100 discount. It looks like since the last feature, the bearings (I’m assuming wheel?) have been repacked. Everything works and it comes with the original air pump. Current mileage is 5,406. …

View Post

Fighting the CT-70 – 1976 Yamaha Champ

In Japan, Less than 5k, Scooter, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

In 1976, Yamaha brought out its answer to Honda’s wildly popular CT-70 in the form of the 80cc “Champ”, (not to be confused with the Yamaha Chappy or 50cc LC50 Champ moped). The mini was powered by a 72cc oil-injected LB80-3D two-stroke engine (with four-petal reeds), married to an automatic transmission with two-speed centrifugal clutch. The tiny Yammy can reportedly …

View Post

Pair of Roemar 125 Racers

In Race, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Roemar is a name you’ve probably never heard – up until a few days ago I hadn’t either. The Roemar name comes from the last name of the man behind the marque – which was Roelofs – combined with Maren-Kessel, where Roelofs was based when creating these machines. I recently got the chance to speak with the founder’s son Theo, …

View Post

Italian Two-Stroke – 1968 Cimatti C100

In Italy, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Though Cimatti Motorcycles was founded in 1937, it would be well over a decade before it produced its first motorized two-wheeler. The marque was started by Marco Cimatti, who won a Gold Medal in cycling at the 1932 Olympics. Despite the company starting up in a turbulent period economically, the bicycle manufacturer managed to beat the odds and remain profitable. …

View Post

1965 Skat Kitty Minibike

In America, Scooter, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Skat Kitty was one of many American minibikes of the 60s, but it stands out as it was the first production “scooter” with a cast aluminum frame and fender assembly. It was sold by Projects Unlimited out of Dayton, Ohio, and this is probably only going to appeal to someone who either had one themselves as a kid (or …

View Post

DG Race Replica – 1975 Honda CR125M Elsinore

In Japan, Less than 5k, Off-Road, Race, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

In the 1970’s, motocross racing had become fairly mainstream with several top racers becoming household celebrity names. In this highly competitive era, the big manufacturers poured absurd amounts of funding into race R&D, driving the constant evolution of MXers. Despite the large staff and state of the art facilities that the big mocos possessed, a few talented wrenchers created something …

View Post

Hondas and Indians – 3 Cool Minis

In America, Japan, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Minibikes have a more universal appeal in the motorcycle world quite possibly more than any other type of motorized two-wheeler. So many motorcyclists have stories to share of piloting a mini that they, a cousin, or a kid down the street owned. For many of these riders, this would be their first introduction into a lifelong moto-obession. Indian wasn’t particularly …