In Addison, Texas, a seller has come into possession of 40+ excellent motorcycles that were formerly “owned by a champion racer that has passed away recently.” Not all of them are on eBay yet, but this is a seller you’re going to want to keep tabs on for the next few weeks.
1987 Honda CBR600F Hurricane
The first year of the first generation – this is the bike that started the CBR line. It was quick enough to compete in 600cc racing, but user friendly to still enjoy on the street during the week. When it first came out, it was quite an improvement on the competition – Kawasasaki’s GPZ600 (arguably the class leader at the …
1989 Honda CB-1
In their review of the Honda CB-1, Cycle World called it “a great motorcycle that never found an audience.” Despite 55 horsepower and a seating position comfortable for track days or just commuting, the average American rider walked right past it in the dealership as they wanted something bigger and faster like the CBR600 or 1000.
1970 Royal Enfield Interceptor
Post Sale Update: After 5 bids on eBay, this Interceptor sold for $9,851. 1970 was the end of the line for the Royal Enfield company. Originally an ammunition and small arms manufacturer they started making motorcycles in 1898 with a sourced motor and produced their own motor in 1901. They went broke then re chartered in 1910 as ‘The Royal …
In Europe – Vee Two Ducati Squalo
In the late 70s, Brook Henry (an Australian Ducati expert) started Vee Two and established himself as one of the world’s pre-eminent guys to make a Ducati go faster. In addition to a bevy of trick parts, Vee Two ended up creating a few bespoke models. One was the Alchemy, based on bevel head engines. Recently they’ve also made the …
No Reserve – 1987 Yamaha SDR200
Post Sale Update: After 41 bids on eBay, this SDR sold for $4,494. Though it was originally sold only in the Japanese Domestic Market, Yamaha’s SDR200 can now occasionally be found in Europe and the US thanks to the grey-market. Reminiscent of a tiny Ducati monster, the SDR features a distinctive trellis frame. This bike is offered at no reserve, …
2004 Moto Guzzi V11 Coppa Italia
Post Sale Update: After 13 bids on eBay, this Coppa Italia sold for $11,000. One of the rarest versions of the Moto Guzzi V11, just 40-50 examples of the Coppa Italia were produced. The specifications were impressive thanks to Brembo Gold Line brakes, Ohlins forks, shock, and steering damper, plus an optional $2,000 exhaust.
The KAgusta – BMW K-Series Custom
I’ve featured a few of Larry Romestant’s “Special K” builds in the past, like “The Executive“. They’re all variations based on flying bricks, but the only one I’ve really been intrigued by is this build, called the “KAgusta.” I first saw it in person several years ago and I’ve been intrigued by it since – but now I finally know …
1996 Ducati 900 SS/CR
Ducati offered the 900SS between 1991 and 1998, and during that time they sold a full-fairing version (the SS/SP) and a half-fairing version (the SS/CR). I find the latter more attractive, though the ’96 and newer CRs have non-rebuildable Marzochhi front forks that some riders aren’t happy with – don’t worry, this seller has dealt with that. This example has …
Turbo Supermoto – 2008 Yamaha WR280X
For a few years, Yamaha offered one of the only factory supermotos that US riders could buy. Based on the WR250R, the X got 17 inch wheels with sticky street tires to complement the 249cc single that shared high tech features from the YZ250F motocross bike. I already like the 250X, but this example is on a whole ‘nother level …
No Reserve – 1976 BMW R90S
Post Sale Update: Sold for $6,000 after 9 bids on eBay. Normally when I feature a R90S, the seller’s got a 5 digit asking price and the bidding is often dead before it’s started. I like this listing because bidding starts at $4k…and there’s no reserve. Could it end up being a bargain? Probably, because the paint on the tank …
1982 Honda CB900F Super Sport
Post Listing Update: This Super Sport did not meet reserve despite 5 bids up to $2,859 on eBay. Hopefully you remember this paint scheme from Fast Freddie Spencer when he campaigned the Super Sport in Superbike racing. It’s an understated design that the US only got for two years, after riders demonstrated to Honda that they wanted the big brother …
500 Miles – 1986 Yamaha SRX600
The SRX600 is one of the defining examples of a cult classic in the US. It sold poorly and was canned after a year in America (though it was successful in the Japanese market), but the few people that bought them here really fell in love with them.
Dunstall Equipped – 1974 Norton Commando 850
Paul Dunstall’s motorcycle business was humming by the time the 70s rolled around, and he was so successful that he had started shipping completed motorcycles over to contracted delaers in the United States. By the mid 70s, he was almost exactly splitting his production between Norton and Hondas, though he was definitely more famous for his work with the British …
1993 Ducati 888 SPO
Post Listing Update: This 888SPO was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. With just 390 examples sold between 1993 and 1994, the 888 SPO is a limited production Ducati that doesn’t seem to get as much attention as it probably should. It was street legal, but this bike is happiest on a track.