Post Listing Update: This KTM did not get any interest at the asking price of $4,500. My research for the KTM 640 LC4 Enduro led me to the conclusion that KTM took their race bike, put blinkers on, and sent them to showrooms. Spotty reliability before 2004 and rough vibrations lead to some second thoughts when commuting to an off-road …
#198 of 200 – 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 Spirit of America
Post Sale Update: This “Spirit of America” sold for $8,200 after 23 bids on eBay. In 1978, Kawasaki was the only Japanese manufacturer with a facility in the US. Kawi’s president (Dave Mehney) and Marketing Vice President (Dick Terrell) decided to highlight that with an “All-American Ride-away” – a program where Kawi customized 200 of their KZ1000s with an American …
Daytona Orange – 1981 BMW R100RS
While the Japanese manufacturers started to dominate the motorcycle industry in the 70s, BMW was one of the only brands that managed to innovate while keeping, and even gaining, market share. A major reason to that success is that BMW was not obsessed by competition, instead they simply tried to produce innovative motorcycles with exclusive designs.
New In Crate – 1975 Triumph Trident T160
View PostVideo Intermission – Attack of the Geese
From this thread on Reddit, here’s a video of a rider on Turn 12 at Phillip Island Circuit getting a surprise visit from a goose.
Restored First Year Mini MXer – 1973 Honda XR75
Predating the legendary Honda Elsinore’s US debut by only a matter of weeks, the XR75 represented a foray into a new sector for Big Red as the little XR was the brand’s first serious go at a high-performance dirt-goer. Honda did already offer the Z50 and CT70, though neither were really engineered for rugged off-road riding. Two years before the …
Ex-Slater Brothers Isle of Man TT – Laverda Formula 500
In 1977 Laverda debuted the 500cc Zeta, or the Alpino as it was known in the UK (after originally being dubbed the “Alpina”, BMW supposedly took issue with the moniker hence it was changed to “Alpino”). The half-liter two-wheeler was powered by an air-cooled, 497cc, DOHC, four-stroke, 180-degree parallel-twin married to a wet clutch and six-speed transmission. The Zeta’s mill …
Coast to Coast – We’re Off!
View PostRestomod – 1983 Suzuki Katana GS1100
Post Sale Update: This Katana sold for $7,600 after 21 bids on eBay. The Suzuki Katana is a very distinctive bike designed by Hans Muth (the fairing might remind you of a similar Muth creation – the BMW R65LS). In the late 70s and early 80s, Japanese manufacturers were selling standard bikes as fast as they could make them. And …
1955 Zundapp KS601 Sport with Steib Sidecar
In 1951, Zundapp introduced their last big bike – the KS601 (Kardan Sport). It got plenty of positive attention from the press, but Zundapp’s sales couldn’t compete with offerings from BMW. To combat this they expanded to a Sport model (with 34 horsepower, 6 up from the standard) and even offered multiple colors.
1988 Cagiva WMX 250
Post Listing Update: This WMX did not get any interest at the asking price of $2,350. 10-27-2018 Update: Almost 3 years later, this WMX is back up for sale. Find it with slightly better photos and a slightly higher BIN of $2,350 or best offer here on eBay. Built between 1988 and 1991 (and succeeding the MXR), the WMX 250 …
26 Miles – 1966 Suzuki Bearcat B105P
Post Listing Update: This Bearcat did not get any interest at the opening bid of $3,000. Suzuki’s Bearcat was a small dual sport that was marketed as a “thrifty swifty” – go anywhere and carry anything for cheap. At 25 miles per hour with the touring sprocket, the Bearcat returned 153 miles per gallon. This example has just 26 miles …
“Concours Ready” – 1979 Moto Guzzi LeMans II CX100
Post Sale Update: This CX100 sold for $9,500 after 22 bids on eBay. 10-26-18 Update: Over 3 years later, this CX is back up for sale from the same seller. Find it with bidding up to $6,555 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Post Listing Update: Despite 37 bids on eBay, this CX100 did not meet reserve …
German Style – 1948 Harley-Davidson Hummer S-125
Post Listing Update: This Hummer did not get any interest at the opening bid of $4,000. Following the end of WWII and the Allies’ victory, the Germans saw many of their factories and blueprints taken as reparations. These German intellectual properties included rockets, submarine research and even motorcycles. In fact, the DKW factory created in 1919 notably produced some lightweight …
No Reserve – 1966 Velocette Thruxton
Post Listing Update: This Thruxton was pulled off of eBay due to “an error in the listing”. In 1961, the Velocette Venom set a 24 hour speed record – that records still stands for a 500cc bike. 3 years later, the Venom won its class at Thruxton’s 500 mile endurance race. The next year, the Venom gained the Thruxton name …