Despite Honda’s RC110’s lack of success during competition, it nonetheless went on to become a highly prized machine. Honda also released a slightly lesser-known toned-down production version of the little racer – the CR110 – that was available to the public. Different sources make different claims but ultimately I’m confident saying around 210-230 CR’s were sold globally. Though I imagine …
One-Off Custom – 1964 Jacobsen Motorbike
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Jacobsen sold for $920 after 6 bids on eBay. According to the seller, this was a one-off built by a community hardware store and Jacobsen lawnmower dealer in Rolla, Missouri that was considering selling motorized bicycles. They did not go through with the idea, but this prototype eventually ended up in a collection …
Two-Wheeled Threesome – 1948 Whizzers
In contrast to the heavy-weight, large displacement American motorcycles of the mid-twentieth-century, Whizzer bicycles were as lightweight and small displacement as two wheelers get, being nothing more than small power plants mounted to your average bicycle of the era. Most were sold as kits that customers would fix to a bicycle themselves but as time went on several companies started …
New In Box – 2004 Honda CB50R Dream
The micro-displacement CB50R is a rare little racer. According to the seller of this example that has never been uncrated from its original box, only 440 units of these early 2000’s CB’s were produced, (other sources confirm this) making these surprisingly rare for how relatively new they are. These stripped down racers are extremely lightweight are at the bottom end …
Needs Some Work – 1981 Honda Motra
Post Sale Update: After 45 bids on eBay, this Motra sold for $1,775. Built in the early 80s, the Motra was a quirky minibike. Honda advertised it as “Heavy Duty” (mini)bike that you could load up with gear and take across the back country. In fact, as the Japanese pronunciation for truck is “Torakku”, it’s said that “Motra” is a …
Harley or Indian? Early 1900’s American Board Track Racer “Replicas”
From the 1910’s to the 1920’s board track racing in the US was thriving. The races were exciting as the wooden tracks were wide enough to allow for ample overtaking and banked to enable high speeds while stadium-style seating was easily placed around the ovals (or sometimes circles) so audiences could enjoy all of the action. Unfortunately the Great Depression …
Ending Soon – 1968 Minarelli P4 Competizione
Post Sale Update: After 27 bids on eBay, this P4 sold for $4,651. Minarelli was founded in 1951 as a motorcycle manufacturer, but within five years they narrowed their focus to just building two-stroke motors. Over time they went back to building complete bikes, including some factory racers. One of their best known powerplants was the 49cc P4, which was …
The First Ducati Model – 1946 Ducati Cucciolo T1
Post Sale Update: After 28 bids on eBay, this Ducati sold for $5,676. The story of Ducati motorcycles can be traced back to a man named Aldo Farinelli, who developed a small motor that could be mounted to a bicycle to help mobilize the people of Italy after World War II. He named the motor “Cucciolo” (Italian for “puppy”) because …
1976 Honda Z50 Mini Trail
If last week’s 50th Anniversary Edition was a bit more than you wanted to pay but you still want to relive the magic of what made monkey bikes special for both kids and adults, here’s a 3-owner example that just got an extensive amount of work done so that it’s ready to enjoy.
End of the Road – 2017 Honda Z50 50th Anniversary
View PostUnexpected Custom – 1993 Suzuki GN125
View PostDouble the Displacement – 1979 Honda CT70 Custom
There’s something special about micro-displacement trail bikes. So many of us have a sentimental attachment to these little machines as a lot of riders spent time romping around on these as kids, for a lot of people this was their first experience on a motorcycle. Restored examples of these machines aren’t very common and the direction this CT70’s builder took …
1 of 9 – Bandit9 Eve
Bandit9 is by far one of the most creative companies building motorcycles today. Their designs are objectively unique and creative as hell. Though Bandit9’s bikes are technically small production runs, these machines are still pretty rare and incredibly well priced considering the quality and character of their motorcycles.
1980 Sachs G3 505/1D
This G3 moped stands out for two reasons: first, it has an impressive 15,800 miles on the odometer, and secondly, it features the top of the line 505/1D motor – good for a stonking 2.7 horsepower. Speeding tickets, here we come!
Heavily Customized – 2014 Honda Grom
It’s not often that you see small displacement bikes like the Honda Grom undergo such extreme and extensive customization but that’s exactly what this seller has done. The vast majority of the mods on this custom Grom are cosmetic but a handful of components have been thrown into the mix to improve the little guy’s performance as well. While I …