Over on the auction site we’ve got a rare-in-the-US example of a Tamburini-designed tiddler. Introduced in 1989, the Cagiva Mito (Italian for “myth”) was built to replace the Freccia 125. The original model featured dual circular headlights and for four years it was the best-selling motorcycle in Italy.
1989 Italjet Buster
Italjet marketed the Buster as “a terrific little bike that is approved for AMA racing in the Pee Wee class for ages 4 to 8.”
1966 Honda CM91 Roadster Kit
The base model of this bike is something most people are familiar with – the step through Honda Cub, what James May once called the greatest machine ever. But in the late 60s, Honda was worried that scooters were losing popularity. Their solution was the Roadster Kit, which would completely change the CM91.
87 Miles – 1990 Honda NS50F
Just for 1990, America got a taste of Honda’s NSF50F two stroke “sport” bike. Despite the diminutive size, it’s a street legal bike with a claimed top speed of 55 miles per hour. It makes me think of a MB5 that got updated with liquid cooling and then painted by a Miami coke dealer. I want one.
91 Miles – 1979 Honda CT90
Honda’s Trail 90 (or CT90, depending on the market) was a popular entry point for youngsters to learn how to ride in the dirt – one of the reasons it was so easy to ride was the 4-speed transmission with an automatic clutch. That apparently wasn’t too much of a concern for the owners of this example, as it has …
No Reserve – 1984 Honda CB125S With 19 Miles
A popular starter bike in the 1980s, the Honda CB125 was commonly used for motorcycle instruction and other situations that often led to abuse and wear. This one, however, looks almost new and has just 19 miles. Per the seller, “the few imperfections on this bike have more to do with storage of 38 years than actual wear.”
Pre-Motocompo Folder – 1970 Carnielli Motorcycles Moto Graziella
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 …
1967 Honda Z50M
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 …
1978 Rizzato Califfo
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 …
1985 Safari 300MT Turbo
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 …
4-Speed – 1971 Honda CT70H
For many CT70 enthusiasts, the “H” models were desirable as they came with 4-speed transmissions and a manual clutch (as opposed to the 3-speed semi-automatic transmission of the non-H models.
Rare Project – 1938 Genial Lucifer
Here’s one I had never heard of before – a Genial Lucifer!
Two Of A Kind – 1972 Yamaha JT2
A seller in Montana has a pair of JTs that are claimed to be original (unrestored) and appear to be in quite nice shape. They were built in the same month with VINs within 50 of each other, and both have less than 800 miles each. These were popular mounts for many first riders, and Yamaha sold plenty of them. …
1979 Cosmo Colt
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 …
CA Plated – 2003 Kawasaki KRR150
I have to admit, at first glance I thought this was just a poorly repainted Ninja 250. But it’s actually a KRR150, a mini two-stroke that was never officially sold in the US.