Cycle World said the XL350R was 1985’s best Dual Purpose bike, and Cycle named it one of their top 10 motorcycles of the year, saying it “may be the best-balanced dual-purpose bike ever.” Here’s a lovely example that just happens to be number 52 off the production line in 1984.
320 Miles – 2007 Honda Interceptor 25th Anniversary
The trouble with collectable vehicles is that one never knows for certain which vehicles will actually end up being collectable. Some are more obvious candidates simply by nature of low production numbers or astronomical price (or both) but it’s often a crap shoot with more pedestrian cars and bikes. Honda’s Anniversary Edition VFR800 is a perfect example.
1986 Moto Guzzi 1000 Cafe Racer
3-15-2017 Update: Looks like that sale from a few months ago did not go through, because the bike is back up for sale. Find it with bidding up to $5,000 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Post Sale Update: This Guzzi cafe sold for $7,100 after 21 bids on eBay. Built by Unique Cycles out of Monrovia, …
1978 Harley Davidson MX-250
In 1961 Harley Davidson purchased 50% of Aermacchi Motorcycles (Italy) and began importing them in an effort to capture younger riders. The MX 250 was among the last of these, and by all reports, not a bad dirt squirter. In fact, Harley Davidson won the motorcycle division of the Baja 500 in 1975 with an SX 250.
1983 Benelli Sei 900
Post Sale Update: This Sei sold for $10,785 after 30 bids on eBay. Earlier this week, I featured a 50-mile example of the world’s first production six-cylinder bike, but the asking price was $21,000. Here’s an example that’s got a few more miles (10K), but it’ll hopefully sell for quite a bit less.
New In Crate – 1994 Harley-Davidson Road King FLHR
Harley-Davidson introduced the Road King in 1994, as a replacement for the FLHS. Someone apparently thought a first-year model (production build #169) would be collectible, so he or she bought one and kept it in the crate until a few days ago. Will the investment pay off?
1951 TWN Triumph BDG 250
In 1886 Siegfried Bettmann founded Triumph Bicycle factory in Coventry, England. They would go on to make more than a few motorcycles, part of the fabric of motorcycle history. In 1896 Herr Bettmann founded another bicycle factory in his native Nuerenberg, Germany and it was also Triumph Bicycle. By 1902 Triumph (England) started making motorcycles and Triumph (Germany) started in …
Guess That Bike – VJMC Eustis Edition
David N. was at the VJMC show in Eustis this weekend – he’ll be sharing his thoughts soon but he kindly sent over a stumper of a picture for Guess That Bike. I’d kindly ask anyone who was at this show to recuse themselves from the guessing. Everyone else: what’s this bike?
3 Miles – 1982 Ducati 600TL Pantah
Post Sale Update: This 600TL sold for $9,500 after 2 bids on eBay. When Ducati evolved the Pantah 500SL into the 600SL, they also decided to offer a stripped down variant called the TL. The bodywork was significantly different, but it did not sell well and the model last just one year. According to the dealer that the seller bought …
1971 Norton Hi Rider
Post Sale Update: This Norton sold for $3,749 after 18 bids on eBay. I’m going way out on a limb here by calling this one of the weirdest looking motorcycles ever produced for sale to the general public. What makes this one especially bad is the fact that there is a venerable Norton Commando hiding under all that. What were …
A Rare Bird – 1974 John Player Norton
The 1974 John Player Norton is among the most widely recognized collector bikes since WWII. A one year only (1974) model the fairing and trim are settled on an a stock Norton 850 Commando. Only around 200 were made, and 120 of those came to the US. Understand, the John Player Norton is NOT a race bike. I simply looks …
1 of 11 – 2009 Ecosse Iconoclast
Ecossee Moto Works was founded in 2001, and it took them 3 years before they were able to release their first bike – the Heretic. A few years later, they released another model called the Iconoclast in partnership with 20ltd, an online shop that solely offers limited edition design pieces and photography. Just 11 examples were offered and they all …
“R” Tribute – 2002 Ducati 998 Custom
In 2002, Ducati released 700 examples of the 998R – it was their top of the line sportbike at the time and it featured a revised Testastretta motor that would end up being quite similar to the engine in the future 999R. Other goodies included carbon fiber bodywork and Ohlins suspension. This…is not one of those bikes. But thanks to …
Video Intermission – A Stubborn Indian on a Motorcycle
Surprisingly, it’s not me! Apparently, this all started when a motorcyclist in India parked in a ‘no parking’ area. As his bike was getting chained up to be towed, he tried to fight back by getting on the bike. That didn’t stop the tow truck driver.
1947 Indian Chief
By now, many of you know that I am extremely fond of the post war Chiefs. It was the first motorcycle that I rode on and my personal obsession dates from that day in 1956. I just love the valanced fender Chiefs. In 1939 Indian went to Bonneville Salt Flats to set LSRs with Chiefs and Scouts. Out of that …