This is quite self-serving, but if you’re a subscriber to Motorcyclist (or you check out their website regularly), you may have noticed a new name under the regular Smart Money column – mine! If you’re not a subscriber, consider this a heads up.
125cc Kit – 1982 Montesa Crono 75
Built between 1978 and 1984, the Crono was Montesa’s last road bike. It was offered in 75cc, 125cc, and 350cc displacements. The Crono was created in response to Bultaco’s introduction of the Streaker, and it even led to the creation of a racing series called La Copa Crono (Crono Cup).
No Reserve – 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma
Post Sale Update: This Gamma sold for $23,100 after 13 bids on eBay. One of the coolest motorcycles built in the 80s, the RG500 Gamma was a repli-racer inspired by Suzuki’s dominant Gamma, which won 7 consecutive manufacturer titles in the 500cc class.
Contest Intermission – NEXX Helmets Road to Austin 2019 Rider Search
NEXX Helmets is a Portuguese manufacturer that’s trying to become better known in the US, and one of their “2019 initiatives to reach out to the American riding community” is to find some “creative riders to document their journey to one of the biggest weekends in US motorcycling.” Nathan and I are flying out to Austin for MotoGP, but NEXX …
2003 Yamaha FZ1
The Yamaha FZ1 is an under-appreciated bike. Introduced in 2001, it gave you the power of a modified R1 engine (145 hp) with all-day ergonomics. Low-end power suffered compared to the competition, but it was silly amounts of fun over 8,000 rpm.
0 Miles – 1974 Norton Commando 850
According to the seller, this bike is “as brand new as possible, unrestored and 100% original, with 0 miles ridden. Neither gas nor oil have been added since being drained at the factory in Great Britain prior to its being shipped to North America 45 years ago.”
Cycle World Cover Bike – ESMC’s “Desert Wolf” Harley Roadster
The Desert Wolf was one of three identical bikes constructed for an ambitious 2017 project which was the brainchild of El Solitario’s head honcho, David Borras. While you can read all about Borras’ and the El Sol crew’s Saharan adventure on said bikes in a full-length Cycleworld writeup — the issue’s feature/cover story — in a nutshell the idea was …
Story Intermission – RevZilla’s Favorite Motorcycle Events
RevZilla asked their staff and some friends to share a couple of their favorite motorcycle events for a story – I responded with the Mecum auction in January and the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. What’s on your list?
The Bomb Bike – 1983 Honda Gold Wing Custom
3-21-19 Update: 10 months later, Dan D notes that this bike is back up for sale with a significant discount as the seller didn’t get any interest at $12k on eBay last May. Now the asking price is down to $8,000 – find it in Eaton, Ohio here on Craigslist. Post Listing Update: This interesting custom did not get any …
1969 BSA Rocket 3 Drag Racer with 1955 Trailer
There’s not much to this listing, but what else do you need to see beyond a chariot-style 50s trailer that’s carrying a Rocket 3 dragster?!
Video Intermission – The World’s Fastest Electric Motorcycle in 360 Degrees
Eva Hakansson’s KillaJoule is currently the world’s fastest electric motorcycle with a top speed of 270.224 miles per hour – though I should note that it’s actually a trike. Eva recently took KillaJoule up to a claimed 236 miles per hour at the Lake Gairdner Salt Flats in Australia, and what’s interesting is that she filmed with a 360 degree …
2018 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
Post Sale Update: This Svartpilen 401 sold for the BIN of $5,125 on eBay Next week I’ll be at the launch of the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701, but the little brother 401 has been available for some time. I prefer it over the Vitpilen 401, and Nathan agreed in his review of both bikes last year. Here’s one with less than …
Kick Start Garage Build – 1973 Honda CB750K – “Hot Rod Alice”
View PostGuess That Bike – Wine Rack Edition
Jeff Z sent over this interesting photo of a wine rack that used to be a motorcycle. Can you identify what bike was sacrificed to store bottles of expensive liquid?
Rare & All Original – 1979 C&J-Framed BSA B50MX
Post Listing Update: This C&J framed BSA was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Back in January we featured a C&J-framed “Horsepower Factory” Honda XR500 racer, however what we have here is a markedly rarer C&J specimen. This is a 1979 C&J Framed BSA B50MX. Not only is this vintage Brit bike said to be in 100% original …