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741 Miles – 1989 Yamaha FZR750R OWO1

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

If a Honda RC30 is just too commonplace for you, then the Yamaha OWO1 might be right up your alley. Just 500 were made, and the MSRP was a healthy $5,000 more than the Honda as well. My many accounts, this was as close as a member of the public could get to owning a street legal racebike. This example …

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Asama Racer – 1960 Yamaha YDS1R

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

4-17-17 Update: A year later, this Yammie is back up for sale. Find it with bidding up to $3,550 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: This Asama racer did not meet reserve with 27 bids up to $9,679.99. The YDS1R was Yamaha’s first production road racer. It got the name “Asama Racer” because the factory …

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MPS Build – Honda CRF450 with CR500 Engine

In Japan, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

MPS (Motorsports Products & Services) is the brainchild of George Fanelli, who creates aluminum framed two stroke MX bikes. Want a Kawi KX 500 motor in a modern four stroke frame? A Yamaha 500 two-stroke in a YZ250F frame? MPS has done it before. Here’s one of their Honda builds – a legendary 2001 CR500 motor in a 2007 CRF450 …

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Ending Soon – 2004 BMW R1100S Boxer Cup Replika

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After 25 bids on eBay, this BMW sold for $6,100. One of my favorite all-around sportbikes is BMW’s R1100S. For the last year of production, BMW created a limited edition called the BCR, or Boxer Cup Replika. BMW actually went one step further by creating a spec series to race these bikes, and 200 examples were released …

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1970 Rickman Triumph Metisse

In Dual-Sport, England by Ted CloughLeave a Comment

Most of you know the story of brothers Don and Derek Rickman, who started out in the early 60’s building custom frames for British scrambles bikes and later road racers. Their frames were light and rigid, and they incorporated some innovations such as oil-in-frame, eccentric swingarm adjustment,and larger diameter telescopic forks. The frames were very popular with racers, enough so …

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Incomplete Restoration – 1973 Benelli SS250 SuperSport

In Italy, Less than 5k, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 1962, Benelli and Motobi merged, and Benelli acquired Motobi’s engine designs in the process. Over time, the Motobi motor evolved into 175, 200, and then 250cc variants. Like General Motors did with Chevy/Oldsmobile/Pontiac etc, Benelli and Motobi practiced a bit of brand engineering: the Motobi motor ended up powering a motorcycle known in the US as the SuperSport and …