Based on the name, you might think this bike was powered by some sort of four cylinder engine – but you’d be incorrect. Produced between 1907 and 1954, this bike got its name from the fact that it produced 4 horsepower according to the early system of “tax horsepower”, which had nothing to do with actual power produced but instead …
1958 Triumph Twenty-One
The first of Triumph’s unit-construction motorcycles, the Twenty-One was launched in 1957. Two years later it was renamed the 3TA. Whatever it’s called, this bike did not get much love in America, as riders here didn’t care for the looks of the ‘bathtub’ rear bodywork.
1958 Ariel Square Four
The Ariel Square Four design goes all the way back to 1931, soon after Edward Turner designed an interesting new four-cylinder motorcycle engine formed from two OHC parallel twins. The design became known as the square four engine, and lent its name to this Ariel motorcycle.
3 Years Brand New – 2012 Aprilia Mana 850 GT
One of Aprilia’s least-known bikes, the Mana featured a 839cc that produced 54 horsepower and…a 7-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the auto found in Honda’s current offerings, though, the Mana features button shifters for your left hand AND the usual foot shifter. For more on the Mana, check out this review from Motorcycle.com, which ponders if this bike is some sort …
2004 BMW Rockster R1150R
The BMW Rockster was an interesting variant on their naked bike of the time, the R1150R. The Rockster was BMW’s take on a streetfighter of sorts, made by pulling together the headlight from a R1150GS, gauges from the R1100S, and throwing them onto the R1150R with a distinctive paint job.
Classic Japanese Collection
This could just as well be one of my “Picture Intermissions”, (so I’d recommend you click the link just to peruse) but there’s a seller on Craigslist who’s offering a boatload of classic Japanese bikes, mostly Hondas. I’m struggling to make complete sense of the ad, but it looks like he wants to sell bikes individually and the prices for …
Not a Black Bomber – 1967 Honda CB450P
I have a weakness for older ‘service’ bikes, like a previously featured Honda Dream Fire Bike and this Honda CB450P Police Special, which may have also been officially called the Honda CP450. According to the AMA, just 25 were imported to the US to pilot an entrance into the police motorcycle market.
1967 Honda Dream 305
I’ve never found the Honda Dream to be particularly good-looking, but it’s obvious that many riders are very fond of it. So with that in mind, check out this “all original and fully loaded” example.
1971 Honda CB500
This beautiful Honda CB500 is claimed to be all original. It has just 15,000 miles and the seller says it runs great. Find this CB500 for sale in Austin, Texas for $3,000 here on Craigslist. This bike-uriousity brought to you by Jim R!
Ending Soon and No Reserve – Peugeot 175 Military Police
Here’s an interesting former military police bike that is claimed to start instantly and run nice, though you’ll need to replace the tires. The seller suggests that this bike served military duty in the French colony of Algeria before the country became independent and the bike then returned to France. The odometer shows just over 15,000 miles but the seller …
Start Your Own MSF – 30 Buell Blasts
The Buell Blast was a foray into beginner bikes by Buell/Harley – as such they were often used in motorcycle instruction programs like the MSF. It seems that one school has moved on from their fleet of Blasts, so now you can snag a 30 rack of Buells and…start your own MSF?
1972 BMW R75/5
Here’s a solid example (VIN: 2995157) of the 750cc slash 5. It’s been with the same family for over 30 years, and is claimed to ride like a dream though there’s a minor oil leak (“drop or two every month or so”). Obviously it’s got the short wheelbase and the distinctive toaster tank, and it’s only done 21,773 miles over …
German Army – 1961 Maico M250B
I’m hoping one of you out there knows more about this bike than I do, because all I’ve really been able to determine is that the M250B featured a 247cc single-cylinder two stroke that produced 14 horsepower.
1970 Yamaha DS6
Here’s a highly original, numbers-matching example of a rare Yamaha – the DS6. An evolution of the YDS line, this was a 250cc class single that had a 5-valve cylinder. It produced about 29 horsepower, and was available in a scrambler variant as well.
Kenny Roberts Inspired – 2002 Yamaha FZ1
The Yamaha FZ1 is an under-appreciated bike. Introduced in 2001, it gave you the power of a modified R1 engine (145 hp) with all-day ergonomics. Low-end power suffered compared to the competition, but it was silly amounts of fun over 8,000 rpm.