Despite the retro styling, the Ducati GT1000 was nearly a decade ahead of its time as it had already been killed off well before all the other OEMs started the current rebirth of retro-styled motorcycles. They’ve turned into cult classics which occasionally have blue book values at or above the original MSRP!
1983 Suzuki GS750E
The seller of this example calls it a ’85 model, however at that point Suzuki had cut displacement down to 700 to get around the tariffs that Reagan implemented to help Harley-Davidson. My guess is that this is actually from 1983.
A Vision – 1982 Yamaha XZ550
While the theme of the late 70s was outright power, the 80s saw OEMs looking to show off their visions off the future of motorcycling. Yamaha’s vision was the XZ550…also known as the Vision!
1974 Yamaha TX500
In the beginning of the 70’s, while Honda and Kawasaki explored 4-stroke motors and managed to break the 750cc and even 900cc barriers of displacement, Yamaha was sticking with two-stroke engines for their middleweight bikes like the RDs (250cc and 350cc). But with their new TXs models, Yam decided to create a new four-stroke middle-size bike between the RDs and …
Rare Indian – 1976 Indian MS175
In the midst of their affair with small-displacement runabouts, Indian had a triplet of 175cc bikes called the MI175, MT175, and MS175. The MI was a dual-sport, the MT was trail-only (no lighting/mirrors), and the MS that’s featured today was a street bike. No matter the version, these are rare finds nowadays.
Rare Project – 1946 Gazelle
Gazelle is a Dutch bicycle company that has an impressive history going back to 1892. In fact, the company was officially renamed “Royal Dutch Gazelle” by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands in 1992 to celebrate their centenary. Like many bicycle companies, Gazelle experimented with the production of mopeds and small motorcycles, though the man in charge did so reluctantly. Per …
Two-Stroke Triple – 1975 Suzuki GT550
While Honda and Kawasaki launched a 4-stroke revolution, Suzuki kept going strong with two-stroke engines, but they needed to replace the aging T500 Titan. So, in 1971 at the Tokyo motorcycle show, Suzuki launched its new model, the GT. The first to be presented was the flagship of the GTs, the 750, featuring 3 cylinders. The “Water Buffalo”, as it …
1978 Kawasaki KZ1000
The 60’s and 70’s were great decades of development for motorcycles, especially considering engine development. After Honda raised the bar with the CB750 at the end of the 60’s, Kawasaki had no other choice but to create a bike even more powerful. In 1972, the Z1, featuring a 900cc engine was released. Thanks to the development of the mighty 4-cylinder, …
Japanese Twin – 1976 Kawasaki KZ750
Post Listing Update: This KZ750 was pulled off of eBay because “there was an error in the listing.” While the motorcycle news headlines of the 70s were usually about Japanese firms trying to top each other in terms of displacement and power, there was still a market for big standards that did not try to set speed records. Honda and …
1973 Triumph Trident
Post Listing Update: Though the BIN was $6,500, this Trident stalled and did not meet reserve with 23 bids up to $6,200 on eBay. The Triumph Trident was the obvious solution to the engineering limitations of twin cylinder engines that had previously reigned supreme. Isle of Man TT racing bikes derived from the Trident took the production class wins from …
1951 Vincent Comet Series C
Post Listing Update: This Comet did not meet reserve despite 7 bids up to $16,700. While both V-twin models of the Rapide and the Black Shadow were the real stars at Vincent, the company lasted as long as they did because of the singles. The Meteor and the Comet, both singles with a 500cc engine, were a real revolution in …
Located in Greece – 1974 Ducati Scrambler 350
The Desmodromic valve system has become a Ducati trademark, though it goes back to at least 1910 where the English brand Arnott created the first Desmo system, “a shaped annular cam”. It remained in the racing sector until Ducati started using it. In fact, after Ducati’s first usage in 1956 on a 125 Grand Prix at the Swedish GP, the …
No Reserve – 1972 Honda CB350
Post Sale Update: This CB350 sold for $2,624 after 39 bids on eBay. The CB350 was one of Honda’s most popular motorcycles – they sold over a quarter of a million of them! Here’s a well preserve examples that’s being offered with no reserve.
In Canada – 1954 NSU Konsul 501-OT
Post Listing Update: This NSU did not get any interest at the opening bid of $6,899.99 on eBay. Stored for the last 48 years, this NSU Konsol will need to be recommissioned before it hits the road again. Considering how rare these are in the US, the work would be worth the effort.
$899 – 2011 Honda CGL 125
Post Sale Update: This Honda sold for the BIN of $899. This model was never exported to the US, though adventurers who have traveled to countries in Asia or Central America should recognize the CGL 125. This example was bought new in Guatemala – the seller then disassembled it, brought it into the US, and put it back together. He …