The Moto Guzzi Ambassador was developed as a successor to the V7, which was initially built to provide a police platform in their home country of Italy. The Berline brothers convinced MG to bring it to the US in an attempt to snag some cruiser customers away from Harley-Davidson. The Ambassador (or V750) got some upgrades to target the US …
No Reserve – 1969 Yamaha DT-1
Post Sale Update: This DT-1 sold for $6,619.51 after 63 bids on eBay in Culver City, California. The Yamaha DT-1 250 was an absolute game changer when it was released, as it essentially created and dominated the market in the US. In fact, some argue it’s the most significant motorcycle in Yamaha’s history – the initial production run of 12,000 …
No Reserve – 1971 Honda CB500 Four
Post Sale Update: This CB500 sold for $2,650 after 32 bids on eBay in Royal Oak, Michigan. Cycle News called the CB500 “the thinking man’s motorcycle” when it debuted in 1971 because it offered up many of the pluses found in the big brother CB750 but in a package that offered better handling, smoother motor, and lower weight. For more …
CA Titled – 1994 Honda RVF400 NC35
Post Sale Update: This RVF sold for $10,272 on Iconic Motorbike Auctions in Marina del Rey, California. My buddy Glenn has been the source of some of my favorite features on Bike-urious over the years – he’s always got some fascinating JDM imports (like this Suzuki SW-1). Today he’s got a Honda NC35 that’s equipped with Tyga bodywork and a …
2017 Ducati Scrambler Icon Custom by GRIME
Post Listing Update: This custom Ducati did not meet reserve despite 27 bids up to $7,100 on eBay in Pacoima, California. This was the first of a Ducati in-house customization called “Maverick”, in which the Italian firm asks “maverick artists” to customize the Scrambler. This was done by GRIME, who is apparently a celebrity tattoo artist that has a waiting …
1963 Garelli Rex KL75
Post Listing Update: This Garelli Rex KL75 did not get any interest at the BIN of $2,500. American Rex Corporation used to be located at 1216 Monte Diablo Avenue in San Mateo, California. They imported Italian-made Garellis under the name of Garelli-Rex, and the naming convention was KL + the ccs of displacement. In period advertisements, American Rex referred to …
Rare Project – 1964 Benelli Fireball Trail 50
Post Listing Update: This Benelli did not get any interest at the BIN of $1,275 on eBay in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Benelli made the Fireball 50 (also sold as the confusingly-named Montgomery Wards 450SS) as a streetbike, but the Fireball Trail was its scrambler sibling with a one-person seat, high exhaust, and rounded styling.
2003 Ducati ST4S
Post Listing Update: This ST4S did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $4,950 in Jacksonville, Florida. A sportbike with practicality, the ST4s was introduced in 2001 as Ducati’s top-of-the-line touring bike, distinguishing itself with the 4-valve 996cc superbike motor and Ohlins rear shock. That was paired with fully adjustable Showa fork, color-matched luggage, and the other features that …
1992 Yamaha WR500
Post Listing Update: The seller of this WR lowered the BIN to $4,000, but that wasn’t enough to capture any interest. Built by blending the YZ250 and YZ490, the WR500 was a rare offering (1,000 sold as 1992 and 1993 models) that was best served as a trail bike that could mix it up on the race track every once …
1988 Yamaha DT50
Post Listing Update: This Yamaha did not get any interest at the BIN of $2,750 or best offer. Introduced in 1981, the Yamaha DT50 (also known as the DT50MX) was barely updated throughout its 15-year production run.
1969 Rokon Trailbreaker
Post Listing Update: This Rokon was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Rokon was founded in the early 60s with the intent of developing a “moto-tractor” that featured two wheel drive. This task was achieved with a combination of shaft, chain, and belt drives, and it enabled riders to go nearly anywhere – as long as they weren’t …
1972 Penton Six Day 125
Post Sale Update: This Penton sold for $4,150 after 15 bids on eBay in Dardanelle, Arkansas. The Penton Six Day was a very important motorcycle – it was the start of the commercial relationship between John Penton and KTM.
#399/750 – 2020 Triumph Rocket 3 TFC
The base model Rocket 3 is already absurd thanks to a 2,459cc inline triple, but the TFC (Triumph Factory Custom – in-house limited editions) is absolute madness as it makes 180 horsepower + 165 lb-ft of torque and weighs a whopping 90 pounds less than the base bike.
Ex-Navy – 1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLA
Post Sale Update: Bidding originally did not meet reserve with 3 bids up to $12,000 on eBay in Walnut, California. The seller then relisted the bike and sold it for a BIN of $15,000. 5-13-20 Update: Three years later, this XLA is back up for sale. The seller includes an appraisal from Jeff Hyman at Classic Auto Appraiser, who claims …
1993 Moto Guzzi Daytona
Post Sale Update: This Daytona sold for $15,100 after 19 bids on eBay in Timnath, Colorado. Earlier this week, I featured a red ’93 Daytona with a sky-high asking price, the original MSO, and just 922 miles. We don’t know what the asking price on this one is, but at least it’s something you wouldn’t feel bad riding. In fact, …