In 1939 Harley Davidson produced 2 39WLA models as prototypes for the US Army to test (along with models from Indian and Delco) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After the war broke out in Europe the Army bought 400 WLAs designated 40WLA. By the time Japan attacked 41WLAs were common in the US Military. Between January 1942 and September 1945 HD …
1963 Honda CB77 Superhawk
Introduced in 1961 the CB77 unquestionably changed the way the world looked at motorcycles. Design, engineering, performance and weight were completely off the existing charts. It firmly established Honda, and the Japanese motorcycle industry as a serious player in the world market. Electric start? Tubular steel frame? Motor as a stressed member of the frame? Reliable? Smooth? Oil tight? Fast? …
Not Street Legal – 1999 Honda NSR150
Honda introduced the NSR150 in 1997, and only sold it in Asian countries. Despite the 150cc of displacement, the two-stroke, liquid-cooled, power-valve equipped motor produced up to 39 horsepower (depending on the market)and the bike weighed just 260 pounds. Other unexpected features from a little bike included a six-speed transmission, Nikasil coated cylinders, and Honda’s Pro Arm rear swingarm – …
1955 BSA Bantam
12/11/16 Update – Well, looks like the sale did not go through because this Bantam is back up for sale. Now it’s got a BIN of $4,500 here on eBay. Post Sale Update: After being relisted multiple times, this Bantam sold for $4,000. Between 1948 and 1971, BSA produced between 250,000 and 500,000 Bantams making it a very iconic British …
4 Kilometers in Australia – 1976 Ducati 900SS
This bike is about to have as many owners as it does kilometers on the odometer…4. The first owner bought FIVE bikes and then proceeded to keep them in excellent condition in climate controlled storage. It’s never been started since the factory put on test mileage.
Italian ADV – 1986 Moto Guzzi TT
Tutto Terreno translates to All Terrain, so you could probably guess what market Moto Guzzi was trying to target when they released this bike. It had potential thanks to a Tonti frame, V65 engine, and a wet weight of approximately 400 pounds. But Guzzi’s attempt to capitalize on the market created by the BMW GS did not go well thanks …
Video Intermission – GoPro: Trail Master
In this video, GoPro shares the story of Reid Brown. Reid is the Off-Highway Vehicle specialist in the Tillamook District of the Tillamook State Forest in Oregon. Oh yeah, he was also a privateer competitor in the 2015 ISDE in Slovakia.
Mini Chopper – 1979 Suzuki OR50
Post Sale Update: This OR50 sold for $1,075 after 22 bids on eBay. “Whopper of a chopper.” That what Suzuki’s tongue-in-cheek branding for the OR50 (called the Mame-Tan in Japan). It’s a rare mini chopper with a two-stroke, 49cc engine that put down 5.5 horsepower.
1969 Honda SL350
Honda’s 350-series bikes are legendary for their reliability and their unsurpassed popularity. One of the variants created to quench the dirt-bike/scrambler craze of the 70’s was the SL350. 1969 was the introductory model year but the bike itself had very few differences from the CB350 and CL350 aside from off-road friendly tires, exhaust, and cross-braced handlebars.
Unexpected Scrambler – 2001 BMW R1150GS Custom
Starting with a R1150GS, the seller of this bike has turned it into a scrambler that can actually tackle some trails. He calls it a proven performer that has completed several Iron Butt rides and big bike Woods Trials. You may not like the way it looks but it’s definitely a different take on the popular big enduro.
Ducati Spain Build – 2015 Ducati Scrambler Custom
Earlier this week, I featured a custom Scrambler, one of three bikes commissioned by Ducati Spain for World Ducati Week. Here’s another one of the three, and it’s obviously inspired by the Ducati 900SS.
1968 Norton Commando Fastback
For a motorcycle that became the icon from an iconic line, the Norton Commando certainly started with a host of problems. The notoriously rough motor from the soon to be failed Atlas, the old design (Featherbed) frame and a ridiculously small development budget.
1973 DKW Boondocker
Something a little different for Xmas? I always get a little excited when I run across a bike I was not aware of, or at least have never seen before. Here is one example, a 1973 DKW Boondocker.
NCR Build in Italy – 1978 Ducati 900SS
Post Listing Update: This NCR build stalled at $12,350 after 16 bids on eBay. NCR was an acronym for Nepoti, Caracchi, and Rizzi – the last names of the founding trio. The company was created in 1967 and they quickly became known as some of the world’s foremost Ducati experts. Thanks to NCR’s proximity to Ducati, the tuning house soon …
1977 Triumph Bonneville Silver Jubilee
Post Listing Update: This Silver Jubilee got no action at $6,999. It was then relisted at the exact same price with the exact same results. To celebrate the 25th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Triumph built a limited edition of 2,400 Bonnevilles with silver/red/blue paint, a blue seat with red piping, some chrome, and decals on the sidecovers. Of the …