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1946 Ariel Red Hunter 350

In England, Standard, Vintage by Ted CloughLeave a Comment

We recently featured one of these in December, so it is a little unusual to see another pop up on Craigslist. Maybe the owner got motivated after the recent auctions, as some of the older, collectible bikes were fetching serious money, especially the pre-war American twins. Alas, this is neither pre-war, a twin, or American, but that makes it more …

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Ending Soon – 1978 Honda CB750A

In Japan, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update – This CB750A was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Everybody knows about the long run popularity of the Honda CB750. How could you possibly classify a CB750 as rare or unusual? Make it be a CB750A2 (1978)-only 1,700 were built. 1978 was a big model change year (CB750K for 1979) and Honda still sold …

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10,564 Miles – 1984 BMW R65LS

In Germany, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Between 1983 and 1985, BMW built a limited edition of their R65. Called the R65LS, it featured a polarizing front fairing that probably makes the bike look faster than the bike actually was. I dig the 80s look…you may not. This example has spent the last 28 years under a cloth cover in a heated basement, so it hasn’t covered …

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1950 AJS Model 18

In England, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

AJS and Matchless were built in the AMC factory in London and were known to be nearly identical. The brothers that owned Matchless bought AJS in 1931 and formed Associated Motor Cycles in 1938. AMC also acquired Norton in 1953. The AJS Model 18 and the Matchless G80 were nearly identical until 1952 except that the magneto was located behind …

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1954 Bianchi Cervino

In Italy, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

All I’ve been able to figure out about the Cervino is that it has a 175cc 2-stroke. I’m familiar with other Bianchi models like the Tonale, but I don’t know about this bike and my usual attempts at internet sleuthing aren’t helpful. Do any of you have experience with or knowledge of the Cervino?

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1966 Benelli 250

In Italy, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

At the time this Benelli was produced, most of their bikes were being imported into the US through Montgomery Ward under the brand name of Riverside – but this beautiful blue example is proudly displaying the Benelli logo on the tank. Ignore the MW references on the engine case and the seat that remind you that this bike was originally …

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Do You Remember? 1974 Suzuki T500

In Japan, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

The Suzuki T500 line was an unquestionably a very good motorcycle that sold more than 100,000 units across ten years and is rarely remembered today. Overshadowed by Honda’s Black Bomber four strokes and Kawasaki’s death wish two stroke triples, the T500 was big, reliable and rideable. Just not very flashy. Suzuki brought out their parallel twin two stroke motorcycles with …

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1970 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

In Italy, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

Introduced to the world in 1967 the V7 became a very popular platform for Moto Guzzi. By 1970 there were at least four choices of V7’s offered. Ambassador, Police, Special and Sport. The Sport became a legendary bike in short order, the Police version sold thousands in Europe and the US. The Special may be the least known of the …

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In Canada – 1948 AJS Model 16

In England, Standard by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

The 1948 AJS Model 16 is a civilian version of the Matchless G3 which was developed in 1939 and used extensively by British and allied forces during WWII. Rugged, dependable and relatively easy to tune, the G3 came out of the war with a good reputation which translated into civilian sales. The bike was also very economical to run, another …