Post Sale Update: This RZ sold for $6,700 after 16 bids on eBay. Only sold in the states from 84-85, these were the first bikes in the US to come equipped with catalytic converters and the first Yamaha street bike in the US to use a perimeter frame. They were also one of the last street-legal two-strokes available in this …
1997 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100i
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Guzzi sold for a BIN of $8,700. More of a sport-tourer than an outright sportbike, the 1100i (i is for fuel injection) is a beautiful anomaly from the usual Guzzi fare of torquey cruisers. Don’t worry – this still packs the trademark V-Twin, but in this incarnation the motor is surrounded by Brembo …
1997 Yamaha TZM50R
It’s relatively easy to get your hands on a YSR50 in the US, but the two-stroke follow-up (called the TZM50R) is quite a rare find indeed. It represented a stronger attempt by Yamaha to counter the highly successful Honda NSR50 mini bike racer.
2000 Triumph Daytona 955i
Post Listing Update: This Daytona was pulled off of eBay due to “an error in the listing.” Introduced in 1997, Triumph’s Daytona 955i started as the poorly named 595. The original name came from a combination of the engine series name: “T5” and the 955cc displacement. As you’re probably thinking, that is very stupid because the average rider thought this …
Ending Soon – 1998 Honda NSR 80
Post Listing Update: This NSR did not meet reserve despite 20 bids up to $3,619.69. Never officially imported to the US, the NSR 80 was a mini bike that was capable of being street legal.
“Maguzzi” – 1987 Magni LeMans 1000
Arturo Magni started his career in 1947 working for Gilera’s race department. In 1950, Magni would move to MV Agusta where he acted as the Sport Director of the racing department. During this time he would oversee the machines of legendary historical riders like Giacomo Agostini, John Surtees, and Mike Hailwood. After more than 25 years at MV, Magni would …
1973 Kawasaki Z1
Post Listing Update: This Z1 did not meet reserve with 6 bids up to $16,600 on eBay. The Z1 was Kawasaki’s “bigger is better” counter to the Honda CB750, and it was a legendary motorcycle that Team Green has recently tried to recapture the magic of. The 903cc motor was so big that Kawasaki couldn’t even sell it in their …
First Six – 1977 Benelli Sei 750
Post Sale Update: This Sei did not get any interest at the BIN of $24,000. That was to be expected, I just thought the low mileage was interesting. The first production motorcycle to utilize six cylinders, the Benelli 750 Sei was the result of Alejandro De Tomaso (of sports car company fame), who had just purchased Benelli and wanted them …
1 of 805 – 1996 Triumph Daytona Super III
Post Sale Update: This Super III sold for a lowered BIN of $3,000. 2-27-18 Update: Over a year later, this Super III has been relisted. The seller has apparently just copied my listing description from last time, updated the VIN to include a missing number (SMT372DD0TJ035851), installed a new battery, and increased the BIN to $3,500. This time around he …
No Reserve JDM Model – 1988 Honda Bros 400
Post Sale Update: This rare-in-the-US Honda sold for $1,274 after 44 bids on eBay. It was called the “Bros” in Japan, but you probably recognize this as a Honda Hawk GT. The US only officially saw this bike as a 650, but Japan also got a 400 version which was good for 33 horsepower. The 650 is a more logical …
Ending Soon with No Reserve – 1974 Ducati 750 Sport
Post Sale Update: This 750 Sport sold for $42,100 after 6 bids on eBay. This restored example of Ducati’s best looking bike in yellow is impressively being offered with no reserve. But hurry, it ends soon!
Trackmaster Framed – 1974 Triumph Street Tracker
Post Listing Update: This Triumph was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Originally a dirt track racer, this Triumph was made street legal after the current owner acquired it in 2003. The seller says it’s the “star of his collection” and “the epitome of everything I love about a motorcycle.”
Rare in the US – 1997 Bimota SB7 Final Edition
Bimota’s “successor” to the SB6 was not officially sold in the US, so it’s rare to see one come up for sale here. I put successor in quotes as the SB6 got a GSX-R 1100 motor while the SB7 utilized a modified version of the water-cooled GSX-R 750 SP motor. The reason for this is that Bimota wanted to compete …
Dustbin Fairing – Moto Guzzi 750 Custom
Commissioned by Barry Weiss and customized by Pro Italia (with an amazing fairing from Evan Wilcox), this bike started as a modern Moto Guzzi V7. It’s inspired by the dustbin racers of the 50s and it’s a visual delight.
#20 of 50 in England – 2015 Norton Domiracer
In 2015, the reborn Norton introduced a new model (even if it looks very similar to the 961). Called the Domiracer, it was a modern homage to the factory race bikes of the same name from the 60s, when Norton converted some Dominators into racers. The Domiracer had some tweaks to the motor which led to an additional 3 horsepower …