The RnineT is one of the most commonly modified motorcycles being made today, it’s literally referred to as BMW’s “blank canvas”. The modular German standard was engineered to be easily customized with features such as a subframe that can be removed by anyone with two-minutes and a socket-wrench. Countless professional and amateur backyard builders have cafe’d out the various RnineT …
Auction Preview – Mecum Monterey 2017
Next weekend, Mecum is auctioning off 55 motorcycles (and a whole bunch of cars) in Monterey, California. Let’s see what they’ve got in store!
2 Miles – 2002 Ducati 998S Ben Bostrom Replica – 6/155
Post Sale Update: This Bostrom rep sold for $18,299 after 16 bids on eBay. Ben Bostrom was represented by #155 when he competed in AMA Superbike with Ducati’s 998S. So Ducati used that as the number of copies that should be built when they created a limited edition replica. 155 were built for the US and UK markets, making a …
Rebuilt British Beauty – 1978 Rickman Triumph
Last time I featured a Rickman Triumph, I referred to it as a “Britmota” and even though this example isn’t a road machine, I feel the moniker still applies. This completely rebuilt example is sporting a NEW Rickman chassis wrapped around a 1978 Triumph 750 engine. The restoration process on this iconic British machine took an accumulative three years to …
Restored – 1987 Yamaha YSR50
This YSR is in impressive shape thanks to a recent restoration to what the seller calls “show quality” in a bit of exaggeration. Since the work was done it’s had a few miles put on it, but this is still one of the nicer YSR’s I’ve seen in a long time. Most examples spend their lives getting beat up and …
July 2017 Result Highlights
View PostNaked Two-Stroker – Honda NSR250R Custom
I’ve featured a handful of bikes for sale at the Garage Company before, but this offering is the coolest little runner I’ve ever seen the LA based shop carry. Two stroke-machines possess an array of distinctive qualities: their sound, smell, performance and abrupt power delivery which requires damn good throttle control. Before the ’02 MotoGP switch, two-stroke machines were the …
Tricked Out – 2010 Triumph Street Triple
Modern Triumph three-cylinders are responsible for some of the most fun I’ve ever had on two-wheels. The powerband on these bikes is so usable and torquey, they really are a pleasure to ride. My biggest caveat with the Speed and Street Triple machines is their headlight assemblies, which is unfortunately a fairly defining aesthetic quality. So the redone front end …
1986 Moto Morini 350 K2
Post Listing Update: Despite 24 bids on eBay up to $3,555, this K2 did not meet reserve. Built between 1984 and 1986, the K2 was the eventual successor to the legendary 3 1/2, and it’s a rare find in the US. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the styling – it’s very clearly a child of the 80s, and …
Auction Preview – The Pacific Grove Auction
On Thursday, August 17th in Monterey, the Pacific Grove Auction will be offering 10 incredible classic bikes from “The Allen Smith Collection of Significant Motorcycles.” 8 of the 10 are pre-1922, and the newest bike is from 1954. But the most amazing thing about this auction is that every bike is being offered at no reserve. This should be interesting.
Made in China – 2017 Benelli TNT 300
Benelli has been absent from the US for a while, but thanks to a partnership deal with SSR Motorsport in 2014 they’re starting to come back. McCoy Motorsports in Kentucky has a new TNT 300 for those of you that are looking for something different and aren’t averse to a bike made in China.
Ending Soon – 1986 BMW R80GS
If you enjoy an adventure motorcycle nowadays, you probably enjoy it to the existence of this bike – the BMW R80GS. This example stands out thanks to a Paris-Dakar tank and a motor/transmission rebuild about 35,000 miles ago.
Ending Soon with No Reserve – 1986 Yamaha SRX600
Post Sale Update: This SRX sold for $4,350 after 23 bids on eBay. In the US, Yamaha sold the SRX600 for just one year. It sold poorly in 1986 because US riders preferred power, power, and more power. But for riders who can appreciate the styling, handling, and the nostalgia of having to kick over the 595cc single motor, the …
1957 Moto Guzzi Cardellino
Built between 1954 and 1962, the Cardellino (Italian for Goldfinch) was the successor to the Guzzino. Initially, it had a 65cc motor but in 1957 Guzzi bored out the motor to 73cc. Other changes in ’57 included a change from hand shifter to foot shifter and the inclusion of a horn.
1981 Harley-Davidson FLH
Post Listing Update: After being relisted, this FLH still did not get any interest at $6,995. I don’t want to call this FLH restored, but it’s clearly had a lot of work done recently. The seller (Classic Motorcycle Consignments) notes that the seller has invested over $24,000 as part of a 6 year ‘renovation’ after the bike was found in …