Hummel is a division of DKW, the well known German motorcycle works. DKW had begun producing motorized cycles in 1919 and in 1932 became a partner in Auto Union. The introduction of the Hummel 155 in 1965 caused a considerable stir in the European motorcycle press. The Hummel was never exported to the US.
1969 Indian Boy Racer
In 1968 Floyd Clymer bought the Indian Motorcycle name and some of the tooling with the idea of resurrecting the legendary marquee. Clymer was a legend in the motorcycle world before he bought Indian as a publisher of books and magazines, including Cycle. He was a car dealer, a motorcycle dealer and distributor, and mostly successful at all of them. …
Restored Cheetah – 1961 Puch DS60
Puch called it the DS60, though you may have seen it in the US as the Cheetah – it was sold through Sears Allstate department stores. Pre ’65 models featured a twistgrip shift, later bikes went to a foot shifter. These aren’t too hard to find (I’ll share three with you in this post), but it’s rare to see a …
Composimo Built – 2015 Honda Grom Custom
Over the years, a custom Grom built by Composimo has been the most popular post on Bike-urious. I don’t think this will be as popular, but it’s an interesting effort that was built for last year’s Handbuilt Motorcycle Show.
Restored – 1973 Honda SL70
Post Sale Update: After being relisted several times, this SL70 sold for a lowered BIN of $3,950. One of Honda’s many popular small displacement trail bikes of the 70s, the SL70 features a 72cc engine and a four-speed transmission. It was very successful with young riders who were learning how to ride dirt and motocross.
1971 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Rapido
Post Listing Update: Despite 24 bids on eBay, this Rapido did not meet reserve at $2,325.01. However, it was relisted and the seller must have lowered the reserve because it sold for $3,100. In 1965 Harley Davidson bought a 50% stake in the Italian manufacturer Aermacchi. For over 10 years they sold the small Italian bikes in HD dealerships under …
1948 Simplex Servi-Cycle
In the early 1930’s Baton Rouge, LA Harley Davidson dealer Paul Treen pitched HD with the idea of making an inexpensive motorcycle that would provide cheap transportation and a steady stream of aspiring Harley Davidson riders. The Motor Corp. turned him down and he decided to make them himself. In 1935 the first Servi-Cycle appeared and continued in operation until …
1968 Hodaka Ace 100 MX Custom
A company named PABATCO (Pacific Basin Trading Company) based out of Athena, Oregon negotiated with Hodaka Motorcycles of Japan to produce and market a series of dirt specific bikes in the early 1960’s. Wildly successful from the start, for about 10 years they were THE most successful American dealer. I just happen to know that you could go to Athena …
Restored – 1970 Honda CT70
This lovely little Honda has just 2 miles on it since a restoration – the seller says it was “restored correctly”, so now I’ll let you knowledgeable readers pick it apart. =)
220 Miles – 1973 Harley-Davidson Z90
Built between 1973 and 1975, the Z90 was one of a series of small Harleys built by Aermacchi in the 70s. The bike may actually be best known as the ride of Kelly Leak (played by Jackie Earle Haley) in the Bad News Bears. Here’s a low mileage example from the first year of production.
One of Many – 1962 Honda C110
Before there was a CBX or a CBR or CB anything from Honda, there was the C. We are all familiar with the C50 Super Cub, the step through 50cc bike that changed motorcycling forever in the very early 1960’s, but the C110 is considered the same platform and as such is one of the more than 60 million units …
1963 Yamaha YG1
Post Sale Update: This YG1 sold for an opening bid of $750. You NEVER forget your first time. This could be pretty sappy. This is essentially my first motorcycle. Mine was a ‘64 T variant. In 1963 Yamaha introduced what would become their first American success, the YG 1. It had a number current state of the art touches such …
1941 Shelby Whizzer
I got a brand new 26” Schwinn Bicycle for Christmas when I was 10 years old. By the time summer that year I was agitating for an auxiliary motor for it. I already knew the freedom that a Whizzer could provide. It is probably my earliest dream of being a motorcyclist. Made in Shelby, Ohio, the Shelby Bicycles were considered …
“The Tiddler” – 1978 Honda CB125S1
Built by Reverb Motorcycles out of the United Kingdom, “The Tiddler” was a commissioned bike where the client requested a 125cc or smaller bike as a display piece. Well, the owner couldn’t help himself and he ended up getting his license, riding this bike, and deciding he’d like something bigger – so this little bike is now up for sale.
Ending Soon – 1972 Harley Davidson Baja 100
Post Sale Update: This Baja sold for $9,500 after 44 bids on eBay.