I’ve recently been stumbling upon a decent number of C&J-framed examples, but this particular specimen has to be my favorite one yet. Constructed by C&J in the late ’70s, this machine features a Yamaha TT500 engine housed in a C&J chassis. It’s builder(s) also opted to outfit the bike with fenders, tank, and tail units off of other Yamaha MXers.
April Fools 2019 in Motorcycling
It’s April Fools Day, which means there’s going to be a couple of fake news stories that are good for a laugh or a cringe. In alphabetical order, here’s everything I could find in terms of April Fools stories this year from our favorite brands in US motorcycling:
Gear Review – REV’IT! Ridge GTX Jacket and Globe GTX Pants
Before Vy and I took off to Costa Rica for New Year’s – I swear I’ll finish the rest of that story once all the press launches die down – ADV Pulse asked if would review some of the newest technical adventure riding gear from REV’IT – the Ridge GTX jacket and Globe GTX pants (GTX reflects the usage of …
1975 Honda CB400F
Post Sale Update: This CB400F sold for $6,000 after 31 bids on eBay. An evolution rather than a revolution, the Honda CB400F is blessed with one of the most beautiful production exhaust systems ever created – known by some as the “waterfall pipes”. It’s so iconic that Honda has brought the style back for the new CB650F! Though it wasn’t …
“Wooden Horse” – Custom Wooden Motorcycle with Suzuki GS250 Engine
According to the seller, this is “the first street legal wooden motorcycle in the United States.” Morgan Motor Company would be proud.
1981 Moto Guzzi V50 Monza
Post Sale Update: This Monza sold for $6,328 after 35 bids on eBay. When Moto Guzzi first released the V50 in the late 70s, they were met with a tepid response from an American market that preferred bigger bikes and expected smaller bikes to be cheaper. To help the model stand out, Guzzi released a sportier version in 1980 called …
1 of 25 – 1985 Can-Am 350 Trials
Bombardier Recreational Products created their motorcycle division (Can-Am) in 1973, but by 1980 they had decided that their resources were better spent in snowmobiles and jet skis. As detailed by Canned Ham, a deal was struck in which CCM/Armstrong took over production and Can-Am sold the machines. During this time, Can-Am experimented with some new models and they expanded into …
Upgraded – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750
Post Listing Update: This Gixxer 750 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Though the model debuted in 1985, Suzuki’s legendary Gixxer line did not make its way to the US until 1986. The changes were minor – better headlights, a revised belly pan, and 25mm longer swingarm, but Americans were probably too busy drooling over the first …
1986 Yamaha SRX600
The Yamaha SRX600 is a cult classic, but it started as a commercial flop. In the US, it sold for just one year, and it was during a time when American riders valued power above everything else. A relatively light weight bike with a 41 horsepower motor just didn’t cut it – but for riders who can appreciate the styling, …
Auction Preview – Mach IV Motors April 2019
Based out of Appleton, Wisconsin, Mach IV Motors says that they are “here for all your Kawasaki NOS parts and classic bike needs”, though they have plenty of other vintage machinery in their inventory. Said inventory is about to get significantly smaller, as they’ve partnered with O’Brien Auctioneers to sell 180 motorcycles on April 13th, 2019. Internet bidding has already …
Join Me – “Electric Revolution” Exhibit Opening at the Petersen
Almost exactly a year after the debut of Paul d’Orleans’ Custom Revolution exhibit at the Petersen, he’s back for Revolution 2: Electric Boogaloo. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. According to the Petersen, Custom Revolution was the world’s first exhibit that’s focused on “alternative motorcycle customization”. Electric Revolution continues Paul’s pioneering guest curation ways as it is “the world’s first exhibition …
Tracy Bodied – 1975 Honda 450 with Eliminator Kit
Tracy’s Fiberglas Works was a Santa Cruz, California-based bodywork operation that offered a myriad of bodywork kits for a bevy of different makes and models. Tracy bodywork came in a variety of styles and you can check out the entirety of a 1974 company catalog on Chin On The Tank (Jim Phillips did many of the illustrations). Their work covered …
No Reserve – 1983 Kawasaki KZ1000R2 ELR
Post Sale Update: This ELR sold for $20,100 after 46 bids on eBay. A limited edition tribute to Eddie Lawson, just 750 examples of the Kawasaki KZ1000R ELR (Eddie Lawson Replica) were built between 1982 and 1983. With the exception of subpar rear shocks, the press and the public loved this bike and how aggressively it was set up.
Export Model – 1967 Honda P50
Post Sale Update: This P50 sold for $2,200 after 47 bids on eBay. Honda has an extensive history with small displacement scooters and mopeds, but the P50 stands out as it was the last time the firm utilized a motor-wheel design (in which the drivetrain is all housed within the hub of the drive wheel). Most motor-wheel designs across the …
Café’d Classic in Poland – Custom 1987 Suzuki GSX-R750
Suzuki’s early GSX-R750 machines were groundbreaking models when they first appeared on the market, and though they’ve admittedly grown pretty long in the tooth by today’s standards, they’re still relatively high-performing bikes in the grand scheme of things. Plus, thanks to their lack of modern electronics, there’s no bevy of unsightly ancillaries hidden beneath the fairings like that of contemporary …