Post Sale Update: sold for $3,050 after 2 bids on eBay. Kawasaki’s first Ninja was introduced in 1984 as a 900 (you may remember it thanks to a famous cameo in the movie Top Gun). The following year, Kawi basically created the 600 sportbike category as it is still enjoyed today (even if it’s currently dominated by Yamaha). Soon after …
“V5 Sport” – 1981 Moto Guzzi V50 III Custom
Post Listing Update: This “V5” did not meet reserve despite 12 bids up to $2,520. 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. Not many were sold, but this example is truly a 1-of-1 as …
Training Tool – 1990 Honda CB125T
For just one year, Honda made 2,000 examples of a 125cc twin specifically designed for US rider’s education schools. The bike itself isn’t really anything special, but there are some fascinating lights on the front and rear that should be explained.
Gift Intermission – Honda Motocompo Wood Model
For reasons that can’t be explained by logic, I have a bizarre fascination with the Honda Motocompo. Apparently Kirk Shinmoto is wired the same way, because he’s built an impressive model of Honda’s famous scooter-that-can-live-in-a-trunk.It’s made out of maple and plywood, and you can buy it now for yourself or your Motocompo-obsessed friend!
1988 Yamaha DT50
Post Listing Update: This DT50 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. This bike always makes me think of Thomas the Tank Engine, with its baby blue paint scheme and the “little engine that could” possibilities.
2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering – The Winners
This is not my usual recap – that will have to wait until I get back home and have time to go through all of Nathan’s photos – but for now I just wanted to share the winning bikes from the 10th Annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering. As always, the show was wonderful and I hope those of you that were …
1975 BMW R75/6 Cafe Racer
Post Listing Update: This /6 did not get any interest at the opening ask of $3,750. Offered by Classic Motorcycle Consignments, this slash 6 has been “customized by its owner to run a bit truer, a bit quicker, and a bit smoother.”
Who’s going to the 2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering?
5-4-2018 Update: Just a reminder that the Quail is tomorrow. I’m in town (Monterey) with Nathan and we’re shooting some photos/videos for our MT-07/Ninja 1000 stories on/around PCH today. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow! I’m back from Austin and the I’m not ready to hit the road again, but the 10th Anniversary Quail Motorcycle Gathering is next weekend and …
Restored to Ride – 1975 Ducati 750GT
Post Listing Update: This 750GT did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $17,800. Ian Falloon doesn’t think model years are the best way to differentiate when it comes to the Ducati 750GT. Instead, he says there are three “production stages” that differ significantly enough to be considered separate. This “third production stage” 750GT was restored in 2009 and …
Video Intermission – 1970 Harley Davidson Bonneville LSR
If you were on a quest to set a motorcycle land speed record today, what motor would you use? In 1970, someone thought the way to go was the powerplant from a Sportster. To be fair, that someone was Dick O’Brien, Harley-Davidson’s racing crew chief. Before you read on, take guess as to how fast they went.
0 Miles – 2003 Aprilia RS250 GP1
Post Listing Update – this Aprilia did not meet reserve despite 21 bids up to $9,100. 5-3-2018 Update: Almost two years later, this basically-new RS250 is back up for sale – though the seller now calls it a 2003 model instead of a 2004. Find it still in Salinas, California with bidding up to $6,000 and the reserve not yet …
1995 BMW R100GSPD Classic
Post Sale Update – this GSPD sold for $7,751.51 after 8 bids on eBay. 1995 was the last year of the airhead GSPD (Paris Dakar), and BMW named it the Classic. Approximately 70 black examples were brought over that year before BMW debuted the oilhead R1100GS. The last time I featured one for sale, a reader/contributor picked it up and …
First Year – 1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: This R100RS sold for $6,100 after 5 bids on eBay. The BMW R100RS arguably launched the idea of the sport touring motorcycle, but I don’t feature many non-limited edition examples just because they’re fairly common place. But did you know that the earliest examples of the legendary model were all silver/blue with blue pinstriping and blue anodized …
Guess That Bike – Frame Edition
It’s a frame…but for what? I was at a shop in Austin when I saw this up on the lift. Can you identify the bike?
Restored and Street Legal – 1984 Yamaha IT490
Post Sale Update: This Yamaha sold for $3,050 after 22 bids on eBay. 5-1-2018 Update: Almost exactly two years to the day, this plated IT490 is back up for sale, but this time it’s on eBay. It doesn’t look like anything significant has been changed, so find this blue Yammy for sale in Longwood, Florida with bidding up to $2,750 …