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Pre-Motocompo Folder – 1970 Carnielli Motorcycles Moto Graziella

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

3/19/22 Update: Four years later, this Moto Graziella is back up for sale. Find it for $3,500 or best offer in West Palm Beach, Florida here on Facebook Marketplace. When the subject of “folding scooters” comes up, most people’s minds will wander to Honda’s Motocompo, but there are a number of other collapsible, small-wheeled scoots that predate the Honda by …

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1967 Honda Z50M

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

The first model of Honda’s legendary Z50 lineup was the Z50M, which was adorned in Shasta White bodywork with a Magna Red frame and a plaid seat. US riders rarely saw the original bike because they were initially just sold in Europe and Canada – it even took a few months before Honda offered it in its home market of …

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1978 Rizzato Califfo

In Italy, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Cesare Rizzato founded the Atala bicycle company in 1921, and like most Italian bicycle manufacturers they eventually went on to add motors to their two-wheeled creations. One was the Rizzato Califfo, which was built in 1977 and 1978 and named for the Califfo-built 49cc two-stroke engine with a 1-speed transmission. It was imported to the US by Promark Products of …

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1985 Safari 300MT Turbo

In Italy, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Motor Bike Imports of Pennsauken, New Jersey was founded in 1964, and they created the Safari name to distribute a range of mopeds built by companies in Italy including Rovet and MZV. For the 1978 model year, Safari debuted two new models with top tanks – they were called the 300MT and 400MT, where MT stood for “Motorcycle Tank.” It …

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1979 Cosmo Colt

In Italy, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Cosmopolitan Motors of Hatboro, Pennsylvania closed down several years ago, 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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Rare German Find – 1964 Göricke-Werke GÖ 100/4 S

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

9-14-21 Update: Three years later, this bike is back up for sale. The seller “borrowed” Tim’s excellent description below to complement the new set of photos – find it still in West Palm Beach, Florida with an unmet opening bid of $3,500 here on eBay. Despite existing for some 90 years, Göricke-Werke AG has only been heard of by a …