Litoverken A.B. (known as Lito) was a Swedish motorcycle manufacturer that only lasted between 1958 and 1965, but for motorcross fans the Lito name is timeless. The 500 MX was a handmade works machine built between 1961 and 1964, and it came about when Monark’s MX team was disbanded. Just 35 were built and they were designed to allow privateers to compete with factory race teams. A Lito piloted by Sten Lundin won the 1961 World Championship, then placed third, second, and third again in successive years.
Litos typically utilized British components, typically with frames and engines from BSA. For more on this legendary motorcycle, check out this excellent profile on the Lito on Motorcross Action Magazine, who call this bike “one of the three most important motocross bikes ever made.”
This example was apparently abandoned in a “secret” collection in Germany before it was imported to the US. It has a BSA Gold Star scrambler frame and gearbox, with Borrani rims and Maico forks. The crankshaft has been modified to yield a 100mm stroke, and the engine also has a Mahle piston, Rickman Enfield primary chain case, Amal carb, and more.
Note that this bike was at Bonham’s Las Vegas this year. The estimate was for a sale between $50-$70k but the bike did not sell. Now find this Lito for sale in Santa Monica, California with a BIN of $59,000 or best offer