The Suzuki GT750, affectionately known as the Water Buffalo, was the bike that made Suzuki a household name in the United States. The follow-up to a sporty bike, Suzuki surprised (and disappointed) motorcycle magazines by instead marketing this as a sports-tourer. Don’t tell anyone – Suzuki actually changed the intent of this bike because they were having reliability issues with …
1954 Hoffmann S300 Gouverneur
Post-Listing Update: Despite 13 bids on eBay, this Hoffmann S300 Gouverneur did not meet reserve at $7,500. Originally a bicycle manufacturer, Hoffman ventured into motorcycle production between ’48-’54. The Hoffmann S300 Gouverneur was their swan song – development costs for the engine combined with the loss of a licensing deal for the Vespa scooters they were producing AND a lawsuit …
2003 Triumph Bonneville Golden Jubilee
I’ve previously featured a Silver Jubilee edition of the Bonnie, but let’s fast forward 25 years to the Triumph Bonneville Golden Jubilee. Built to mark the Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) of the Queen’s reign – not the existence of the Bonneville – this was a limited edition of just cosmetic work that will probably only interest die-hard Triumph buffs.
Not Junk – 1963 Junak M10
Post-Listing Update: This Junak M10 120 did not attract any bids at the opening price of $9,900 on eBay. These are the types of bikes I’m most excited to share with you – the ones I never knew existed. One of just 23 imported to the US in 1963, the Polish-made Junak M10 was a somewhat popular bike in continental …
1975 Honda CB360T
Post Sale Update: This CB360T sold for $2,600 after 31 bids on eBay. The Honda CB360T is a basic classic, but this one stands out as it’s exceptionally clean and has just 1,761 miles on it. This would be a fantastic first bike, or an around-town runabout. Find this CB360T for sale in Brick, New Jersey with bidding up to …
The Big One – 1994 Honda CB1000
Post-Listing Update – This Honda CB1000 did not get any takers at $2,995. Affectionately known as the Big One, the Honda CB1000 was produced for just two years as a bike that stood out in a world of superbike replicas with acres of plastic bodywork. The slightly detuned engine didn’t help sales, and Americans weren’t ready for standards – the …
Rotary Power – 1978 Hercules W2000
Post-Sale Update: This Hercules W2000 sold for $8,000 with the Buy-It-Now – it seems the seller dramatically lowered the opening bid to move this bike. When you think of rotary engines nowadays, Mazda is usually the first manufacturer to come to mind. In the early 70s, though, several companies were exploring the engine concept – three of whom were in …
1965 Velocette MSS
Post-Sale Update: After 29 bids on eBay, this Velocette MSS sold for $8,200. A tiny British manufacturer, Velocette was a family-owned firmed that was well-known for creating high quality bikes. With 3 decades of successful international racing experience, and (still-standing) record for a single-cylinder bike running 24 hours at 100 miles per hour, they brought many technical innovations to the …
344 Miles – 1971 Triumph Tiger
Post-Sale Update: After 6 bids on eBay, this Tiger sold for $5,301. The Triumph Tiger was the little brother of the Bonneville, born again in ’71 with the new oil-in-frame chassis. This example stands out as it’s got just 344 miles!
Never Imported – 1995 Aprilia Moto 6.5
Post-Sale Update: This Aprilia Moto 6.5 sold for $8,100 after 31 bids on eBay. Phillipe Starck is a well-known French product designer and motorcycle enthusiast. In the mid 90’s, he combined those two facets to design the Aprilia Moto 6.5, an in-town runabout that oozes style – the question is, is the kind of style you like?
860 Miles – 2001 Kawasaki W650
Post-Sale Update: After 27 bids on eBay, this Kawasaki W650 sold for $5,600. The Kawasaki W650 is a retro standard that was imported to the US for only 2 years. Inspired by the Triumph Bonneville, this bike actually preceded the rebirth of the Bonnie and for a brief moment in time, it was the best option for someone looking for …
1952 Triumph Thunderbird 6T
Post-Listing Update: This Triumph Thunderbird 6T sold for $12,000 on eBay. The Thunderbird name has shown up on 3 distinct models of the Triumph line since 1949 – this 6T model is from the original series. For its public launch, three production bikes were ridden from the Meriden plant to a circuit near Paris where they were then ridden over …
1953 Indian Brave
After Indian went out of business in the late 40s and they were scooped up by a British firm, they sold off the remaining “true” Indians and created a new model before starting to sell rebadged Royal Enfields like the Tomahawk and the Lance. That model was the Indian Brave, designed as a low budget runabout for the American market.
Baby Bonnie – 1959 Triumph Junior Cub T20J
Post-Listing Update: After 5 bids on eBay, this Junior Cub did not meet reserve at $3,550. 2-21 Update: This Triumph Junior Cub T20J is back up for sale with an opening bid of $4,000 here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: After 17 bids on eBay, this Junior Cub did not meet reserve at $5,000. Designed as a restricted version of the …
Nicest Around – 1967 Yamaha YCS-1 180 Bonanza
Post-Listing Update: This Bonanza did not sell, despite being relisted. I don’t think I’ve seen an original YCS-1 in this kind of shape – but I’ve also never seen such a high asking price for one! The Yamaha YCS-1 180 Bonanza was a lovely small-displacement 2-stroker that was also available in a scrambler variant.