The Muskin El Gato is one funky little scoot. Muskin Corp was aiming to nab a piece of the then-increasingly lucrative small-displacement trail bike market. The company’s strategy was to create a truly unique machine that would stand out from the crowd of other mini offerings and regardless of Muskin’s success, it’s hard to deny the efficacy of said strategy. …
10 Most Popular Bike-uriosities of 2017
View PostVideo Intermission – Look at Life’s “Scrambling for it”
“Find a bumpy track, add some tough motorbikes and riders, and mix well. The result? A Scramble.” That’s how this lovely short film about 60s scramblers commences. I’ve featured a few classic British scramblers over the years and it’s always fun to see them competing. I think you’re going to enjoy this one!
Out of Office – Cuba
View PostPing King – 1986 Honda CR500
When first released, Honda’s CR500 was its most powerful MXer ever produced, though that power was wildly difficult to tame. The CR was nonetheless a major success and Honda opted to keep the half-liter thumper in production for more than a decade prior to be being phased out in 2001 upon the rise of the four-stoke machines and the company’s …
Showroom Clean – 1975 Yamaha DT100
Yamaha first kicked-off its DT lineup in 1968 with the 250cc DT-1 – a model that would help to usher in a new market for dual-sport machines. The DT-1 (also known as the Trail 250 in other markets) would be included as one of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan’s 240 Landmarks of the Japanese Automotive Technology. Upon its …
1974 Yamaha SC500
Post Sale Update: This Yamaha SC500 sold for $1,750 after 45 bids on eBay. When it boils down to it, I know just about nothing about the SC500. Never ridden one, never even seen one in person. I’m really just featuring it because Rick Sieman called it one of the 10 worst dirt bikes of all time and I find …
Restored – 1969 Honda Z50A
Post Sale Update: This Z50 sold for $3,700 after 31 bids on eBay. In a wonderful article on Motorcyclist, Mitch Boehm notes “that the Honda Z50 Mini Trail is probably responsible for more two-wheeled addictions than any other motorcycle on earth.” This second-year example is claimed to be “practically new” thanks to a bevy of new and refurbished parts.
Grey Import Pocket Rocket – 1989 Honda NSR250R MC18
The NSR 250R was sold as road-legal version of Honda’s 250 race bike, the RS250R, although in reality it shared no mechanical parts, just the overall image. It was, however a potent little pocket-rocket, powered by a liquid-cooled, reed valve inducted 249cc 90° V-twin two stroke engine working a six-speed transmission. Published specs put it at 288 pounds dry weight.
Restored – 1972 Suzuki T500 Titan
Post Listing Update: This Titan did not meet reserve despite 20 bids up to $6,200. Riders often like to reminisce about how much fun it could be to hit the violent powerband of a two stroke motor, but there were a few companies who thought that smokers were also ideal platforms for relaxed every day riding as well. Suzuki’s best …
1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador 750
Post Sale Update: This Ambo sold for $7,500 after 17 bids on eBay. 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 …
Ending Soon – 1974 Norton Commando 850 Roadster
Post Listing Update: This Commando did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $7,500. Should have fixed that front brake! This Norton Commando 850 comes with lots of supplemental literature that make it a fun find – you’ll get the rider’s manual, service voucher booklet, instructional literature wallet, warranty card, world-wide distributor/dealer book, a tire manual from Avon, and …
3 Miles – 2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Le Mans
Well, it looks like some bikes from the Larry Klein estate sale last month are now hitting the market again. One of the highlights was this basically new V11, so it’s no surprise to see it up on Craigslist now. Original MSRP of this Le Mans was $12,690, and this reseller is hoping to get a bit more than half …
Built for Trials – 1973 Hodaka Wombat 125
Post Sale Update: This little Wombat sold for $2,999 after 51 bids on eBay. Based out of North Dakota, Danny Messmore currently runs a dealership called Action Motor Sports. But for Hodaka fans, Danny is best known as one of the original dealers for their beloved bikes – and he’s built a few specials over the years as well. Here’s …
No Reserve “Custom” – 1979 Honda CX500C
Post Sale Update: This CX sold for $2,215 after 22 bids on eBay. In 1979, Honda introduced the “Custom” version of their unusual CX500. It was a common move at the time for the Japanese – release a “Custom” or “Special” version of a standard to expand the product portfolio and create a mild cruiser to appeal to American tastes. …