Post Listing Update: This Pierce did not meet reserve despite 15 bids up to $44,667. The first four-cylinder motorcycle built in the US, the Pierce Four showed up other American brands that still looked like bicycles with motors. The Four emphasized the “motor” in motorcycle with a 696cc engine that pushed 7 horsepower through a 2-speed transmission. The hefty frame …
Restored Danish Classic – 1949 Nimbus Model C
Post Sale Update: This Nimbus sold for $12,658.50 after 38 bids on eBay. In 1919, Nimbus debuted its first motorcycle with the Model A (or “Stovepipe”), followed by the unimaginatively named Model B. In 1934, the company introduced the Model C, which was, at the time, a pretty advanced and cutting-edge offering. Manufactured by Fisker & Nielsen of Copenhagen for …
1936 BMW R4
Post Listing Update: This R4 did not meet reserve despite $10,300 after 20 bids on eBay. As the 30s rolled around and Depression hit, BMW saw the need for a diminutive single-cylinder bike to offer alongside its twins. The sub 200cc R2 sold quite well, but the BMW R4 was an intermediate bike between the budget single and the bigger …
1936 BMW R2
Post Sale Update: This R2 sold for $12,099 after 39 bids on eBay in Corona, California. Built between 1931 and 1936, the R2 was the smallest displacement motorcycle ever built by BMW. Powered by a 198cc OHV single, the R2 could hit 59 miles per hour thanks to 6 horsepower – later on (1934) an Amal carb helped bump power …
First Year, First Model Project – 1955 Yamaha YA-1
Post Listing Update: This YA-1 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The company we all know today as Yamaha began as Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd in 1887 (incorporated in 1897), producing musical instruments. Founded by Torakusu Yamaha, the company would remain in operation for nearly seven decades before it produced its first motorized two-wheeler. Following the Second …
Early Honda Four-Stroke – 1953 Honda Dream Model 3E
Just prior to the dawn of the 1950s, Honda debuted its very first complete motorcycle. A year or two later, the company got cracking on the development of a new four-stroke engine. In the spring of ’51, Honda’s then director, Kiyoshi Kawashima, was tasked with developing the new 145cc mill. By July of that same year a prototype was completed …
Rare Project – 1933 Indian Motoplane
08-04-2018 Update: Almost two years later, Tim Huber sees that this Motoplane is back up for sale. Find it here on Craigslist in Nevada City, Nevada for $16,000. Post Listing Update: This Motoplane did not meet reserve despite 9 bids up to $12,600. This bike is going to need a lot of work, but it’s rare enough for a feature. …
1931 Sunbeam Lion with Watsonian Sidecar
Sunbeam developed their first OHV motors in the mid 20s, and their 492cc “Longstroke” motor was particularly successful in racing and street trims. The street bike took its name from the motor, and it was known as the Model 6 Longstroke until the early 30s, when the bike was refreshed and renamed to the Lion.
1938 DKW Diamant
Post Listing Update: This Diamant did not meet reserve with just 2 bids up to $1,500. In Sweden, one of the most popular early motorcycles was the DKW-powered Diamant. Per the seller, the Diamant was “sold for about 400kr ($50), which represented about 2 months of salary for an industrial worker.“
1938 BMW R66
Post Listing Update: this R66 did not meet reserve despite 28 bids up to $22,200 on eBay. Introduced in 1938, the R66 was BMW’s “sport roadster”, and it was the pinnacle of their pre-WWII creations. It was designed to lug a sidecar around, but if you were only riding it as a two-wheeler then you could flirt with a top …
The First BMW – 1923 BMW R32
Post Listing Update: This R32 was pulled off of eBay due to “an error in the listing.” The seller of this piece of history doesn’t have much to say but he does correctly state, “I know you have [a] lot of questions”. Interested buyers are definitely going to have a lot of questions, because the R32 is the first motorcycle …
Restored in Canada – 1931 AJS S8 DeLuxe
Post Listing Update: This beautiful AJS did not get any interest at the opening ask of $19,530. AJS (A.J. Stevens & Co) was founded in 1909, and they quickly racked up a series of world records. Unfortunately, as the 1930s began the firm was in financial in trouble and by ’31 the company was disbanded and the rights were sold …
Ending Soon – 1948 Douglas MK3 Project
Post Sale Update: After 21 bids on eBay, this Douglas sold for $4,301. 3-5-2018 Update: Looks like the sale in November did not go through as this Douglas is back up for sale by the new owner. The listing now calls it a 1949 model (instead of the ’48 as originally described) but it otherwise seems to be the same. …
1 of 10 – 1921 Megola Touring 640cc
Megolas are fascinating for many reasons, but the obvious one is the 640cc 5-cylinder radial engine built into the front wheel. Yet, that’s somehow not even the craziest thing about this powertrain. It has only one gear, and no clutch. So you either had to bump start it or get the front wheel spinning with the bike on the center …
Ner-A-Project – 1922 Ner-A-Car Barn Find
Post Sale Update: This Ner-A-Car sold for $20,100.01 after 18 bids on eBay. Designed by Carl Neracher in 1918, the Ner-A-Car was sold as a cheap automobile alternative. Approximately 10,000 were built and sold in the US, and another 6,500 were built and sold in England under license. The step-through design and bodywork kept riders clean, allowing them to wear …