Since the mid-1950’s, Harley-Davidson has been producing its Sportster model, one of the iconic brand’s stronger sellers. Dozens of updates and changes have been made to the Sportster over roughly six decades of production, though they’re all powered by the same iconic 45-degree V-Twin. The Knife and Fork ironhead engine on the original Sporster utilized connecting rods where both units …
Bare Bones Rides Build – 1989 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200
Built by Bare Bones Rides out of Florida, this custom Sportster is currently being enjoyed by a medical student who unfortunately has to let it go. It might not be your preferred style for a custom, but you can’t deny it’s a much more interesting way for a student to bop around campus and the surrounding area than the usual …
Best of the Bolts – 2014 Yamaha Star Bolt
9-19-17 Update: Over two years later, this Hageman build is back up for sale. It’s moved up north a bit, so you can find it in Charlottesville, Virginia with bidding up to $3,100 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $14,900 here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Yamaha Star Bolt sold for $16,250. Back …
Sitting for 4 Decades – 1952 MV Agusta 125 Turismo D
Post Listing Update: This Turismo D was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The “D” model of MV Agusta’s 125 Turismo was produced in 1952, and the main upgrades from the “C” included the front suspension (as MV calls it, a “pressed steel front parallelogram suspension”) and a new gas tank. This beautiful example has spent “almost all …
Hondas and Indians – 3 Cool Minis
Minibikes have a more universal appeal in the motorcycle world quite possibly more than any other type of motorized two-wheeler. So many motorcyclists have stories to share of piloting a mini that they, a cousin, or a kid down the street owned. For many of these riders, this would be their first introduction into a lifelong moto-obession. Indian wasn’t particularly …
1952 Monark Super Twin Tribute
The Super Twin was one of the rarest products from the Monark Silver King bicycle company. This example…is not a Super Twin, but it’s a cheaper model with some Super Twin parts added to it.
Video Intermission – Akrapovič’s Tribute to Superbikes
Akrapovič recently released a video to share their passion for making exhausts for the current crop of superbikes. It’s short and the audio and visuals are excellent, so give it a quick look!
Mini DT1 – 1971 Yamaha JT1 Mini Enduro
The Yamaha JT1 Mini Enduro was a bonafide motorcycle that was simply scaled down. The fact that the motorcycle it was largely based on was the DT1 – and “On Any Sunday” came out the same year this example was made – helped Yamaha succeed in selling huge amounts of these bikes. Cycle World’s Andrew Bornhop said the JT1 “helped …
Purpose Built Supermono Racer – 2017 Kramer Motorcycles HKR Evo2
The current version of Kramer Motorcycles was created in 2009 by Marcus Kramer and two co-founders – I say “current” because a few decades ago a gentleman named Adolph Kramer partnered with Maico to build a limited production run of off-road race bikes. The new Kramers are built to compete in Supermono racing in Europe, and if I’m allowed to …
No Reserve – 1989 Kawasaki ZXR400
Due to licensing laws, Japan saw much more competition in the 400cc sportbike market compares to the US and Europe. Kawasaki’s entry was the ZXR400, and compared to the competition it was more of a race replica.
1959 Moto Guzzi Galletto
Post Listing Update: This Galletto did not meet reserve despite 25 bids up to $4,550. Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Galletto (cockerel in Italian). Over approximately 15 years of production, 75,000 units were sold.
1972 Honda CL350 Cafe Racer
This CL350 has been turned into a cafe racer by the last two owners and it looks like a nice runabout with a good blend of style and fun.
Santa Barbara – 1964 Yamaha YA6
The YA6 was best known for being Yamaha’s first production bike with automatic oil injection – you may remember the feature by the name of “Autolube.” The oil injection was immensely popular and was offered throughout Yamaha’s lineup for decades. The YA6 was much less successful, making them a rare find nowadays. This survivor has remained in good shape and …
Ex-Red Bull Rookies Cup – Metrakit 125 GP Racer
For the last decade, the Red Bull Rookies Cup has been allowing up-and-coming riders to prove themselves on professional-quality machines at world-class motorsport circuits. The league has clearly accomplished what it set out to do, as Johann Zarco was the champion of its inaugural season, followed by JD Beach. Other riders like Jake Gagne, Lorenzo Savadori and the late Luis …
Boosted Motoren Werke – 1986 BMW K100RS Turbo
The BMW K100RS was a pleasant sport tourer in its day, and the flying brick platform is having a bit of a renaissance as a platform for custom builds right now. Some people saw fit to modify the bike when it was new, including RB Racing when they built approximately 200 kits to turbocharge the K100 motor. Here’s serial #3, …