Following up on yesterday’s look back at the BMW K1, reader Wynkin de W shares a rare example of the K1’s final form that’s “new in box”. That’s usually a phrase you hear with toys, but is seems apt in this case considering how this crate has a viewport!
1968 Suzuki Cobra
Otherwise known as the T500, the Suzuki Cobra was very short-lived. Sort of. After just one year, Ford told Suzuki that the Cobra name was already accounted for, and that they should figure out another model name for their 500cc two-stroker.
1965 Norton Atlas 750
Named after the ICBM, the Norton Atlas was released in 1962, earning a so-so reputation before being replaced by the classic Commando. Built to appeal to American aesthetic preferences, it was initially only produced for export. The Atlas produced 55 horsepower, with plenty of torque available low in the rev range. Utilizing Norton’s famous Featherbed frame, the bike weighed about …
1973 Laverda 3C
Post Sale Update: This Laverda sold for $11,200 after 17 bids on eBay in Knoxville, Tennessee. Predecessor to the Jota, the Laverda 3C was the Italian firms’ first three-cylinder engine. Dry weight was just shy of 500 pounds, and it was the bike that introduced the 180 degree cylinder arrangement that gave certain Laverda triples a noise that passionate fans …
Nice Price – 1989 Yamaha FZR750R OW-01
We’re making today a Yamaha day, and we’re concluding (unless you’re reading this on the daily email, where you’ll see this post first!) with one of the most special machines to ever come from the Japanese firm. I’ve featured a few OW-01s over the years, and even when they don’t meet reserve the bidding stops well north of $15k. The …
1977 Yamaha RD400
The RD400 came about when Yamaha made the RD350 a bit bigger in 1976 – displacement was 399cc. Thanks to 44 horsepower, the bigger RD was capable of hitting the ton with a top speed of 105 miles per hour. Most people know the 400 simply for being an easier to ride upgrade over the 350, but it was also …
1981 Ducati Pantah 500SL
Post Sale Update: This Pantah sold for $8,100 after 6 bids on eBay in Mahwah, New Jersey. 6-14-20 Update: 8 months later, this Pantah is back up for sale and it looks like it’s going to have a new owner as it has already met reserve. Find it with bidding up to $7,099 in Mahwah, New Jersey here on eBay.
Motobi Tribute – 1972 Benelli Sport Special Custom
Post Sale Update: This Benelli sold for $4,300 after 11 bids on eBay in State College, Pennsylvania. Benelli and Motobi merged in 1962, and the resulting company performed a GM-esque bit of brand engineering by offering up similar bikes under different names. One of those pairings was the Benelli Super Sport (also known as the Sport Special in Europe) and …
Zero Miles in Canada – 1995 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
Introduced in 1994, the ZX-9R was Kawi’s response to the instant classic Honda CBR900RR. It made a bit more power but it could not compete on weight, and Kawasaki lagged behind in sales. Weight won’t be an issue with this one, as I doubt it’s ever going to get ridden – the odometer shows less than 1 kilometer on it!
6 of 19 – 2005 Mert Lawwill Concepts Street Tracker
In 2005, Mert Lawwill bought up 20 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200R motorcycles to use as the base of a limited production run of Street Trackers inspired by his XR750 flat tracker. Thanks to a bevy of custom parts (like a hand-crafted 4130 chromoly frame), Mert was able to shave off over 100 pounds from the donor Harley. Over a 5 year …
1959 Ducati 175 Sport
Per the seller, this 175 Sport was “built for and ridden in the 2004 MotoGiro d’Italia.” Impressively, at one point during that event it had the lead!
1989 Yamaha FZR1000
Post Sale Update: This FZR sold for $8,550 after 51 bids on eBay in Chicago, Illinois. 6-11-20 Update: This FZR is back up for sale with several changes – the seller reached out to me to let me know that the wheels and turn signals are now stock, it’s had a tune up, there’s new photos, and the reserve has …
1982 Honda CB900F
In the late 70s, Honda offered both a CB750F and a CB900F, but per their marketing department the US only got the 750 and Europe only got the 900. Both markets were upset about this because humans always think the grass is greener on the other side. It took a few years, but Honda eventually satisfied the US by bringing …
Restored by Mr. CBX – 1980 Honda CBX
Restored by Mr. CBX, this CBX has about 30k on the odometer but it’s said to “run like a 500 mile bike.”
2003 Aprilia Tuono Racing
Post Sale Update: This Tuono sold for $8,560 in Hawthorne, California on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. The modern Aprilia Tuono is a perennial shootout winner, but one of my favorites of the model goes back to the beginning – the limited production Tuono Racing.