In 1999, Suzuki’s WSBK racers were sponsored by Corona and Alstare – and they featured a very distinctive yellow and purple paint scheme. The year after, Suzuki decided to pay tribute to the paint scheme on their 600cc sportbikes (but only in Europe and Canada). I haven’t been able to find definitive information on exact production numbers, but the changes …
First Ride – 2017 Kawasaki Z900
Ask the average person to draw a motorcycle and you’ll get one of two illustrations – a cruiser or a sport bike. But there’s a lot more to the world of bikes than those two offerings, and the American marketplace is starting to reflect that. In the last 5 years, standard bikes have seen a 255-percent increase in sales, and …
One Owner – 1991 Ducati 851
Introduced in 1987, the 851 made Ducati relevant in motorcycle racing again. It featured fuel injection, liquid cooling, and desmo 4V heads. This example is a one-owner bike from 1991, the last year of production before Ducati bored out the motor and created the 888 SP4 and SPS.
Guess That Bike – Italian Tank Edition
Reader Mark J recently shared a set of photos with me from his time at a former museum of small Italian bikes. You’ll get to see all the cool logos once someone is able to guess this one…
1975 Yamaha RD350
The Yamaha RD350 has a well deserved reputation as fast and nimble. Many consider it the pinnacle of two stroke road warriors. In stock trim you could ride the RD350 to the track and compete. Using readily available Yamaha race bits you could win. Not to mention what you could do to your favorite canyon road. Directly developed from the …
Honda Powered – Board Track Racer Tribute
Post Sale Update: This “Olds” sold for the BIN of $7,000. 3-29-17 Update: A year later, this interesting board tracker is back up for sale. Find it with bidding up to $5,300 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: Bidding on this interesting custom reached $6,300, but that wasn’t enough to reach reserve. You guys and …
1974 Laverda 750 SF2
Laverda got their start with big bikes in the US through American Eagle, the brainchild of Jack McCormack. Laverda knew that if they wanted to have success in America, they’d need to up their displacement. So they partnered with the McCormack to bring a 744cc twin to the States. Unfortunately for Jack, his company folded fairly quickly, and Laverda soldiered …
1977 Penton GS6 250
In 1977, Penton introduced the GS6 (GS = Gelande Sport where Gelande translates to terrain or off-road, 6 = number of speeds in the transmission). It had a similar frame to the MC5 motocross bike but it came with an orange enduro tank, side panels, and a number plate with a headlight.
1986 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Limited Edition
3-29-17 Update: Ray K notes that this beautiful Suzuki is back up for sale with another 40 miles on the odometer. Find it still in Oklahoma City with an unmet opening bid of $13,500 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This Limited Edition Zook did not meet reserve with bidding up to $16,900. If you had to pick one motorcycle …
1975 Honda MR175
Honda had a pretty checkered run with dirt bikes in the early 70s. It seemed their offerings were either very, very good or ‘not so much’. They introduced a legend in 1973 with the CR125M and CR250M Elsinore. The Elsinore changed dirt riding and racing forever.
Video Intermission – The Story of Seventies Superbikes
Paul Brace is a passionate motorcycle nut who also happens to be a Director at Eagle, manufacturer of the world’s best Jaguar E-Types. He maintains a personal collection of seventies superbikes called Proper Bikes – so enjoy this video tour of the decade’s best Japanese speedsters: the CB750, H2, Z1, CBX, etc.
Collection of 20 – Harley/Aermacchi 2-Strokes in Canada
Twice in a week, we’ve got a collection of 20 Italian bikes in Canada. This time it’s a little less glamorous, but it’s still an interesting option for the small percentage of you that are into the Aermacchi/Harley bikes.
1961 Rockford Silver Pigeon
In the 1950s and 60s, Rockford Scooter Company of Rockford, Illinois imported several Japanese lines for sale in the US. Bike-urious chronicles the importation of Bridgestone Motorcycles in 1963 right here. As it turns out, Rockford also signed a deal with Mitsubishi to import the ‘Silver Pigeon’ line. Rockford was aggressive in their marketing signing up a large dealer network …
Grey Market Rossi Replica – 2002 Honda CBR600 F4i
Post Listing Update: Despite 27 bids on eBay, this Rossi rep did not sell at $3,100. In 2001, Honda released a limited edition of their CBR600 – it was adorned in a yellow and blue livery that paid tribute to Valentino Rossi for his first year with Honda in the top level of motorcycle racing. I have not been able …
1982 Laverda Jota 120
Roger Slater was Laverda’s importer in Britain – and like all good importers, he asked the manufacturer to make something faster. So Laverda wisely responded by turning the 3C into the Jota, the fastest production motorcycle to date. The Jota was built between 1976 and 1982, and the 1,000cc triple featured 180 degree crankpin phasing that led to a distinctive …