Introduced in 1987, the 851 made Ducati relevant in motorcycle racing again. It featured fuel injection, liquid cooling, and desmo 4V heads. This example is a one-owner bike from 1991, the last year of production before Ducati bored out the motor and created the 888 SP4 and SPS.
1975 Yamaha RD350
The Yamaha RD350 has a well deserved reputation as fast and nimble. Many consider it the pinnacle of two stroke road warriors. In stock trim you could ride the RD350 to the track and compete. Using readily available Yamaha race bits you could win. Not to mention what you could do to your favorite canyon road. Directly developed from the …
1974 Laverda 750 SF2
Laverda got their start with big bikes in the US through American Eagle, the brainchild of Jack McCormack. Laverda knew that if they wanted to have success in America, they’d need to up their displacement. So they partnered with the McCormack to bring a 744cc twin to the States. Unfortunately for Jack, his company folded fairly quickly, and Laverda soldiered …
1986 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Limited Edition
3-29-17 Update: Ray K notes that this beautiful Suzuki is back up for sale with another 40 miles on the odometer. Find it still in Oklahoma City with an unmet opening bid of $13,500 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This Limited Edition Zook did not meet reserve with bidding up to $16,900. If you had to pick one motorcycle …
Grey Market Rossi Replica – 2002 Honda CBR600 F4i
Post Listing Update: Despite 27 bids on eBay, this Rossi rep did not sell at $3,100. In 2001, Honda released a limited edition of their CBR600 – it was adorned in a yellow and blue livery that paid tribute to Valentino Rossi for his first year with Honda in the top level of motorcycle racing. I have not been able …
1982 Laverda Jota 120
Roger Slater was Laverda’s importer in Britain – and like all good importers, he asked the manufacturer to make something faster. So Laverda wisely responded by turning the 3C into the Jota, the fastest production motorcycle to date. The Jota was built between 1976 and 1982, and the 1,000cc triple featured 180 degree crankpin phasing that led to a distinctive …
1974 Kawasaki Z1
There are some really legendary models in motorcycling history that are able to be identified without regard to make or even year. Bonneville. CB750. H2. There are many others, but there is no doubt that the Z1 fits in that group.
In Canada – A Collection of 20 Classic Italians
A seller in Canada is letting go of his entire collection of Italian motorcycles. There’s big bikes, scooters, and even a brand I’ve never heard of before (Sertum). They’re current on display at his home and all of them were runners before they were put in show mode. With that said, the seller has ridden several within the last 2 …
High Miles, Low Price – 1998 Triumph Daytona Super III
The photos are hopeless and it’s lacking a lot of information, but this is by FAR the cheapest asking price I’ve ever seen for a Super III: $1,300.
1977 MV Agusta 800 America
View PostRecent Restoration – 1956 Mondial 200 Sport
The glory years of FB Mondial were right at the beginning – they were founded in 1948 and immediately started winning GP World Championships. Specializing in high performance, small displacement bikes, FB Mondial hand built most of their motorcycles, resulting in production numbers between just 1-2 thousand a year. The (FB) Mondial 200 Sport was one of the few street …
1992 Suzuki Bandit GSF400
When the 400 Bandit was offered to the US for the first time, Cycle World said “as a styling exercise…it may be the most exciting bike of 1991.” A couple of decades later, and it still looks interesting. Suzuki first created the model in 1989, but the US wouldn’t get it for another couple of years – by that point …
1966 Bultaco Metralla Project Bike
Formed out of the wreckage of the Montesa racing program in 1958, Bultaco was a company organized around producing fast motorcycles. Though they would become best known for their off road products, Bultaco also built some fine street/race machines in their 25 year history. Introduced in 1962 the Metralla was quite possibly the fastest 2 stroke motorcycle on the planet …
1961 Honda CB92 Benly Super Sport
In the early 60s, Honda’s CB92 (also known as the Benly Super Sport) was one of the best small sport bikes available. The bike was sold between 1959 and 1962, and just 599 examples made it across the Pacific Ocean to the US.
2005 Ducati 999S Custom
The seller of this bike took a salvaged 999S and turned it into something designed to be much more comfortable and easier to ride. It’s not what I would call pretty, but for those of you that believe upright bars and a more neutral riding position are the way to go, this is a unique way to go.