In 1960 Moto Guzzi set out to re establish itself in the most profitable Italian market segment by introducing the 125 CC Stornello. Using a brand new four stroke pushrod single, the Stornello made an instant impact in the eighth liter class of Italian bikes. In 1961 Guzzi added inclined valves and a hemispherical combustion chamber (yes, it’s a hemi) …
Guess That Bike – Tank Edition
View Post1962 Matchless G80
If you wanted to buy a new touring bike (or maybe lug a sidecar) in 1962 your choices were really quite simple. European or Harley Davidson? Single or Twin? The Japanese were a few years from market impact, and the English really bullied the market at the time. Associated Motorcycles Matchless brand (and the identical AJS Model 18) were players. …
1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11F
The 1915 HD Model 11F was one of the most advanced motorcycles available on the planet. It featured an overhead valve V-Twin motor (only the intake valve was overhead-the exhaust valve remained flathead) that had an automatic oiler. A magneto was offered and the Model 11F had a proper transmission and clutch. The Model 11J offered electrical lighting but cost …
Restored Racer – 2003 Honda CR250R
Honda started building the CR250R in the 70s, but in 1997 they switched to an aluminum frame. Over a 34 year period, the CR became a legendary dirt bike – in fact, it is the winningest dirt bike in US history, in terms of championships.
Street Legal MotoGP Replica – 2016 Honda RC213V-S
View Post1969 CZ 360 Sidepipe
Also known as the Type 969, the CZ 360 was impressively similar to the factory motocross race bike – one that won three straight 500cc World MX Championships thanks to the riding of Paul Friedrichs. Here’s an example that’s been recently restored and is ready for vintage racing.
1963 Velocette Venom
Between 1955 and 1970, Velocette built 5,721 examples of the Venom. A factory-prepped Venom set a world record for being the first bike ever to average over 100 miles per hour in a 24 hour period. Here’s a 53 year old example that spent 30 years on display in a previous owner’s living room.
1947 Harley Davidson WL with Sidecar
The Harley Davidson ‘45’ flathead small V twin motor was one of the longest lived motors in company history, introduced in 1929 with the last one installed in a ServiCar in 1973. They weren’t a tower of power, but they were much the most reliable motor the company made for over 40 years. They simply started and ran in all …
“1962” Norton Atlas Cafe Racer
11-18-25 Update: Nine years later, this bike is much shinier and it’s back on the market! Find it over on our auction site in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan with bidding up to $9,000 and the reserve met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Here’s what it looks like now: Post Listing Update: After being relisted, this cafe’d Atlas got bidding up …
Out of Office – Long Beach Motorcycle Show
I’m at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show all day, so no bikes for sale. Instead I’ll be learning all about next year’s new bikes so I can figure out what’s cool enough to share with you. Are you going to be there in the evening? Drop me a line and let’s meet up! Last night was the start of the …
Varese Model – 1995 Ducati 916
Post Sale Update: This Varese-built Ducati sold for $9,400 after 47 bids on eBay. The 916 has obviously become one of Ducati’s most important motorcycles, but it had a very worrying start. Right as the bike was set to debut, a fire broke out at the paint shop in Bologna. Ducati improvised and temporarily moved production to Cagiva in Varese. …
Video Intermission – Triumph’s Scramble Me: Nature’s Rumble
View Post1939 Velocette KSS
By 1939 the K series Velocette featuring the overhead cam single had been in production for 14 years. The ‘39 was a Mk2 motor that was extensively and successfully raced in Europe, particularly at the Isle of Man. The KSS was a detoxified version of the racing bike that included electric lighting, illuminated speedometer, electric horn and the positive stop …
Ending Soon – 1994 Ducati 900SS/SP Custom
This SS/SP had been sitting in the “back of a garage in Orlando” for years, until the seller (Bare Bone Rides) brought it back to life with a custom twist. Those of you that were able to make it out to AIMExpo this year may have seen this on display in the Spectro Oil booth, but it’s got a lot …