Post Listing Update: This Z50 did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $9,400 on eBay in Port Washington, New York. Before the 125 Monkey was born, Honda announced that they were killing off the legendary Z50 model due to ever-tightening emissions regulations. They ended the run with 1,800 examples of a special 50th Anniversary model and they were …
1961 Parilla Olimpia
Post Listing Update: This Olimpia did not get any action at the BIN of $4,900. After World War II, Giovanni Parrilla built his first motorcycle (it was based on a Norton). This evolved into the company of Moto Parilla, which was best known for their “high-cam” engines in the US. Here’s one of their lesser known models, the Olimpia (which …
1968 Honda Z50
Post Listing Update: This Z50 did not meet reserve with 20 bids up to $4,000 on eBay in Cedar Park, Texas. 1968 was the first year of US exports for the Mini Trail, and today we’ve got a pleasant survivor. In a wonderful article on Motorcyclist, Mitch Boehm notes “that the Honda Z50 Mini Trail is probably responsible for more …
1982 Kawasaki AR80
Post Sale Update: this AR80 sold for $2,025 after 6 bids on eBay in Chadron, Nebraska. Kawasaki’s attempt to compete with Honda’s MB5, the AR80 packed a 78cc two-stroke engine that produced about 10 horsepower.
No Reserve – 1971 Suzuki TC90
Post Sale Update: This TC90 sold for $1,475 after 51 bids on eBay in Mentor, Ohio. Also known as the “Blazer”, the TC90 was advertised by Suzuki as “built to take on the country” thanks to a dual-range transmission for 8 total gears.
1960 Capriolo Antelope
In the early 60s, Capriolo offered up a range of small motorcycles with animal-inspired names: the 125cc Cheetah, 100cc Gazelle, and the 75cc Antelope.
196x Hodaka Ace 90
Post Sale Update: this Hodaka sold for $1,504 after 37 bids on eBay in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Debuting in 1964, the Ace 90 was Hodaka’s first model. The company made it a priority to upgrade parts throughout production in a manner that allowed owners of older models to easily upgrade their bikes, as well. Between 1964-1970, Hodaka sold over 24,000 …
No Reserve – 1986 Honda Z50RD Christmas Special
Post Sale Update: sold for $6,800 after 20 bids on eBay in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Considered by some as the ultimate Honda Z50, the “Christmas Special” was a limited edition that officially had the model name of “Z50RD” – the D was for “Dealer”. Honda gave two examples to each of their top dealers, though some called it the …
No Reserve – 1982 Honda CR80R
Post Sale Update: this CR80R sold for $2,235 after 19 bids on eBay in Powell, Ohio. Honda introduced the CR80R Elsinore in 1980, and it truly looked like a half size 250. The engine was up to snuff, though handling left quite a bit to be desired. So two years later, they added the Pro-Link monoshock, new 31mm air forks, …
1963 Torpado Sport
Post Listing Update: this Torpado did not meet reserve with 14 bids up to $1,259 on eBay in Mesa, Arizona. Founded in 1950, Torpado (or Moto Torpado) focused on small displacement motorcycles utilizing 32cc and 48cc engines. Here’s one of the latter, with a 48cc Minarelli two-stroke motor.
Wrong Exhaust – 1968 Honda SS125A
Post Sale Update: This SS125A sold for $1,525 after 37 bids on eBay in Trenton, New Jersey. Built between 1967 and 1969, the Honda SS125A wasn’t a huge sales success – and that’s why it’s an interesting and rare find nowadays. It was based on the CS125, a bike that was only sold in Japan.
No Reserve – 2000 Aprilia RS50
Post Sale Update: This RS50 sold for $2,950 including buyer’s fee after 4 bids on Iconic Motorbike Auctions in Santa Monica, California. In my review of the Aprilia RS660, I mentioned that we had a rare-in-the-US RS50 over at Iconic. Well, it’s now running and up for sale on our auction site!
The First Ducati – 1949 Ducati Cucciolo
The first motorcycle model ever released by the Italian firm, the Ducati Cucciolo was introduced in March 1946 out of the Borgo Panigale factory. One year later they were winning races with Glauco Zitelli at the helm, and a year after that the Cucciolo was being imported into the US.
Honda-Powered Custom with Hossack Front End
When Shane A submitted this to me via email, the subject line was simple and very accurate: “This one is wild.” The seller calls it a Honda Z5-Hossack, as it looks to be the 5th variant of his fascinating customs that utilize a Hossack front end.
1964 REX KL35
10-18-20 Update: Four years later, Robert VanSlyke notes in the comments that this REX is again up for sale. The asking price is down to $2,500 and it’s moved from Idaho to Arizona. It’s titled and still a runner – find it in Cave Creek, Arizona here on Facebook Marketplace. 9-12-16 Update: John K notes that this REX is back …