Here’s a first-year example of Honda’s V45 (750cc) Sabre. Within a couple of years, Honda had shrunk the bike down to 700 to circumvent the taxes imposed on 750cc and larger import bikes by the US International Trade Commission. This one stands out due to the impressive original condition and the rare Hondaline fairing.
1959 Norton Dominator Deluxe
11-6-16 Update: Bob K notes that this Deluxe is back up for sale, but which a significant discount. Find it from the same seller here on Craigslist in Issaquah, Washington for $8,995. The Norton Dominator (what a great name) was released in 1949 it was the basis for the next 3 decades of Norton twins. It was conceived to challenge …
Purple Rain Tribute – 1981 Honda
This bike doesn’t run at the moment, but it’s a pretty good find for a Prince fan who wants something two-wheeled in their collection…
Industry First – 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 LTD
By 1976 the Japanese motorcycle industry was in full bloom. Innovations seemed to come out monthly, the race was on to build the fastest production bike for that year, and the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) was becoming established as a standard in the industry. Kawasaki rolled out the KZ900 LTD as a ‘limited edition’ factory custom with pulled back handlebars, …
1979 Moto Guzzi 1000SP
Post Listing Update: This SP was relisted several times but never met reserve – the last listing got up to $2,750 on eBay. When Moto Guzzi released the SP Spada, they debuted it with a fairing designed in their wind tunnel. I find it to be a bit goofy looking, but it results in excellent weather and wind protection. So …
1974 Norton Commando 850 Interstate
The Commando name actually spans 6 different models: the Roadster, Fastback, Hi-Rider, Production Racer, Interpol, and the Interstate. The Interstate is today’s featured bike, and you can probably guess from the name that it was designed to be a long distance tourer. The 828cc variant was released in 1973, adn the main difference from the base bike was the large …
Ending Soon – 1973 Norton Commando 850 Tourer
Post Sale Update: As Cas V noted in the comments, this Commando sold for just $4,723 after 14 bids on eBay. A former personal mount of Bill Bibbiani (former head of the SoCal Norton Owners Club), this interesting Commando is well modified and setup for road tripping.
1976 Honda CB750F
The Honda CB750 is etched in our DNA as riders. Arguably the most significant motorcycle ever produced. Honda sold millions of them, and there are legions of good examples all over the internet. Why would I even bother to write one up?
Rally Prepped – 2012 Honda ST1300
Starting with a Honda ST1300, the seller of this bike “spared no expense” when he turned it into a bike that would let you be competitive in something like the Iron Butt Rally. There are $15,000 worth of parts on this thing, and it features one of the craziest cockpit views I’ve ever seen.
Double SSSA – 1993 Yamaha GTS1000 Custom
Post Sale Update: This GT custom sold for $2,475 after 13 bids on eBay. Yamaha’s GTS1000 is already a very interesting bike thanks to the James Parker-designed RADD front suspension. But this example is officially the coolest GTS I’ve ever seen, thanks to a rear wheel conversion to the single sided swing arm from a 3rd generation Honda VFR!
Nice Price – 2005 BMW R1200RT
In 2005, BMW updated the RT with the 1,170cc boxer engine, good for a ~15% increase in horsepower and ~10% bump in torque – all while reducing the weight of the package by over 40 pounds. God bless progress. It immediately won Best Touring Bike awards from Cycle World and Motorcyclist, and the only gripe people really seem to have …
Ending Soon – 1978 Yamaha XS750E
Post Sale Update: This XS sold for $1,350 after 8 bids on eBay…to Bike-urious contributor Cas Vanderwoude! This one-owner XS750 has not run in several years but I think it’s worth resuscitating. Either that, or someone needs to pick this up just to grab all the fantastic period goodies and throw it on their own XS!
Channel Your Inner Prince – 1982 Kawasaki Spectre 1100
You too can can be like Prince! Here is your starting point…. This 1982 Kawasaki Spectre 1100 comes with a complete set of Vetter bags, tail trunk AND the Windjammer fairing. It’s even got some purple trim! For the complete look you’re going to have to add a sissy bar, but that’s easy – no welding required.
Fully Dressed Restoration – 1967 BMW R50/2
Pots Sale Update: After 35 bids on eBay, this BMW sold for $11,211. Here’s another classic BMW restored by Brooks Motor Works – last week I shared a R69S that he had restored. This R50/2 is on the other side of the riding spectrum thanks to bags and a whole lot of wind protection.
High Mileage – 1980 Yamaha XS1100 LG
Yamaha released the XS11 in 1978 as the most powerful production motorcycle on the planet. Astoundingly it was Yamaha’s first 4 stroke 4 cylinder motor ever. In 1979 Yamaha issued the XS 11 in two trim levels: ‘Standard’ and ‘Special’. This was to continue throughout the entire production run. The Special had higher bars, a stepped seat, smaller diameter rear …