It’s not common to see the “Babyblade” for sale in the states, but this makes the second one we’ve got in a week, and the low mileage is impressive. The nickname was obviously given as it’s a smaller (400cc) version of the Fireblade, but it was a JDM-only motorcycle for the ~15 years it was produced.
Rare Project – 1962 Aermacchi Ala Azzurra
Aermacchi’s Ala Azzurra was offered in two generations – this is one of the 2nd gen’s, which were produced between 1960-1967. It was imported from the United Kingdom (where it was street legal) several years ago but the two owners since have not yet brought it back to life.
2000 Cagiva Raptor 1000
Introduced in 2000, the Cagiva Raptor was designed as alternative to the Ducati Monster – they were even styled by the same man. Though there are plenty of similarities, the Raptor comes with the V-Twin heart from a Suzuki TL.
1982 Ducati Pantah 600SL Desmo
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this 600SL sold for $8,600 after 13 bids on eBay. Take the distinctive 500SL Pantah, then bore it out to get the 600SL, yielding an 11% boost in power.
Babyblade – 1990 Honda CBR400RR NC29
The Honda CBR400RR was a baby sportbike produced only for Japan for about 15 years. While Americans associate the Fireblade name with large displacement sportbikes like the CBR900RR, in other countries you could get varying displacements of Honda goodness.
Impressively Preserved – 2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
3-25-16 Update: Initially, this listing did not get any action at the opening bid of $7,500. 4 months later, this Ninja is back up for sale with a realistic opening bid, which is why bidding is now up to $4,550 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. If you’ve been looking for a Ninja ZX-12R, I’m not sure …
1 of 200 – 2013 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO 20th Anniversary
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Monster, Ducati released limited special editions of the 696, 796, and 1100 EVO. Each bike got a special cosmetic package including the original red livery, 90s style mirrors, and the Ducati font from 1986 on the tank.
1984 Laverda Jota RGA
Post Listing Update: Despite being relisted, this RGA got no interest at the opening bid of $12,500. One of Laverda’s most iconic motorcycles was the RGS, an iconic sport tourer that Massimo Laverda once said was a “Real Grand Sport”. In ’84 and ’85, Laverda also offered a budget version called the RGA, and while most came with a chin …
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
Post Sale Update: This CB400F sold for $7,500 after 58 bids on eBay. More of an evolution rather than a revolution, the Honda CB400F has one of the most distinctive exhaust systems ever produced – known by some as the “waterfall pipes”. Though it wasn’t as fast as its competition, this little four cylinder was smoother, quieter, and gave better …
Well Worn – 1952 Vincent Comet Series C
Post-Sale Update: After 18 bids on eBay, this Series C Comet sold for $25,000. A single-cylinder evolution of the famous Rapide, the Vincent Comet was one of four models using the 499cc single engine. This is one of the Series C bikes, the final evolution of the breed. There was apparently one Series D bike built but it never made …
Well-Optioned – 1961 BMW R69S
Post Sale Update: This R69S sold for $17,500 after 42 bids on eBay. In the long, proud history of BMW, the R69S is one of the most iconic motorcycles ever built by the German manufacturer. In 1962, Cycle World said “it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride.”
70 HP, 235 LBS – 1995 Kawasaki KX500 Supermoto
Did you like the stats but not the price of last week’s Zaeta? Prepare yourself. When Kawasaki introduced the KX500 motcrosser in 1983, Dirt Bike magazine called it “unrideable” and “violent.” The bike didn’t change all that much over the years (in fact, from 1994 till it was killed off in 2004, it didn’t change at all), which means it’s …
Jody Nicolas Owned – 1974 Ducati 750 Sport
Post-Sale Update: After 13 bids on eBay, this 750 Sport sold for $19,000. This Ducati 750 Sport has an interesting story thanks to ownership by Jody Nicolas, the former Editor of Cycle World and Technical Editor of Motorcyclist. He customized his instant classic by adding replacing the wheels with Morris Mags, rearranged the rear sets, added a rear hydraulic brake …
Rossi Tribute NC30 — 1992 Honda VFR400F
America’s smallest V4 Interceptor was the VF500, last seen in 1986. But due to licensing restrictions in the Japanese home market, they got the scaled-down VF400, which morphed into VFR specs in ’86 with the series’ redesign, including gear-driven cams and eventually a single-sided swingarm. Lightweight, with a useable powerband for its displacement, the VFR400R has become a popular grey-market …
Rare in the US – 1984 Moto Guzzi V35 Imola II
Guzzi’s V35 doesn’t get much attention – it was introduced in 1977 alongside the V50 as Italy had new licensing and tax categories. Three years later the Imola II was introduced, gaining 26mm carbs, a new seat, chrome indicators, new silencers, and points ignition as part of the update.