Here is a 1984 Yamaha RZ350. One of the last two-strokes available in the US (other than pure dirt bikes). Yamaha put out a special Kenny Roberts Edition, with the bumblebee paint scheme and Kenny’s signature on the bikini fairing. Cycle World rated this a “Perfect 10” on the fun scale in their review of 1984. The stock RZ350 made …
Future Video Intermission – Dougie Lampkin Isle of Man Wheelie
The Isle of Man TT course is legendary for many reasons – hopefully you caught Ted Clough’s report of his time there just a couple of weeks ago. But this Saturday, the famous course is going to host an unexpected challenge – trials champion Dougie Lampkin is going to try to wheelie the entire 37 mile-long course.
1948 Simplex Servi-Cycle
In the early 1930’s Baton Rouge, LA Harley Davidson dealer Paul Treen pitched HD with the idea of making an inexpensive motorcycle that would provide cheap transportation and a steady stream of aspiring Harley Davidson riders. The Motor Corp. turned him down and he decided to make them himself. In 1935 the first Servi-Cycle appeared and continued in operation until …
Still New – 2000 MV Agusta F4 Serie Oro
The seller calls this a 2003, but the limited edition F4 Serie Oro was only offered in 2000 – so that’s what I’m going to call this. Either way, this is already a rare model, but this is on a whole another level as it has never been started or registered. Heck, the battery and mirrors have apparently never been …
Red White and Blue – 1987 Honda XL600R
Post Sale Update: After 49 bids on eBay, this XL sold for $2,750. Honda’s XL/XR series has been the mount of choice for enduro riders for decades. Most have been adorned in the traditional Honda red, but here’s an example of my favorite paint scheme of the XL600R – a patriotic red, white, and blue.
1946 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Chopper
Flashback to 1971. Literally. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper had sprung “Easy Rider” on the unsuspecting public in 1969 and the drive in theaters were full of classic movies like “The Hard Ride”, “Chrome and Hot Leather” and “The Wild Riders”. All of which seemed to star motorcycles, and particularly choppers. Lots of chrome, lots of noise, little substance.
1965 Norton Atlas – Race Horse or Plow Horse?
After 20 years of dominating English motorcycling with their legendary singles it became obvious to Norton that they needed a twin to compete with Triumph and others. In 1948 Norton introduced the Model 7 which was essentially a twin mounted on a single frame. Not a good effort for Norton. They improved with the model 88, 99 and 650SS and …
2016 Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally
View Post1974 Laverda 750 SFC
Laverda’s most famous motorcycle, the 750 SFC was basically a street-legal race bike – the C stood for “Competizione”. Here’s a restored example that was originally sold in the US market.
Freddie Spencer Tribute – 1985 Honda NS250R
Fast Freddie Spencer won the 1982 Belgian and San Marino Grand Prixs with Honda’s first liquid-cooled two-stroke three-cylinder engine. That iconic bike provided the inspiration for this NS250R – which is a little weird considering Freddie won a 250cc championship in ’85, and that might have been bike for source material.
The Oddball – 1969 Norton Commando S
Norton introduced the 750 Commando in 1968 known as the Fastback. In 1969 they introduced two more models, the R (Roadster) and the S (Street Scrambler). In the fullness of life, the Roadster would become the ‘standard’ Commando and the other two would go away. The 1969 Scrambler was produced for the American market and in direct response to the …
Please Be Real – 1962 Honda CB72 Yoshimura Endurance Racer
Post Sale Update: After 23 bids on eBay, this incredible Honda sold for $8,800 on eBay…to a Bike-urious reader! Well, this is quite a listing – and it ends soon, so hurry up! According to the seller, in the inaugural Suzuka 18 hour race of 1964, Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura campaigned two motorcycles: a Honda 305 that won the race, and …
Not For Purists – 1974 Norton Commando 850 Mk2
Post Listing Update: This custom Commando did not meet reserve despite 27 bids up to $8,100. It’s been relisted a few times but bidding has never ended up higher. Here’s a Mk2 Commando that’s been fettled into a moderate custom – purists won’t like it, but YOU might!
Mild Custom – 1958 Ariel Square Four
By 1958 the Ariel Square Four was considered one of the premier motorcycles on earth. A huge powerplant, incredibly smooth, fast. Edward Turner (who would go on to design the Triumph Speed Twin) designed the twin crank 4 cylinder single head motor in the late 1920’s and sold it to Ariel who successfully brought it to market in 1936. It …
Austrian Engineering, Italian Style: 2002 Aprilia RSV Mille
Aprilia has a long history of racing with small displacement bikes. They made their first foray into the Superbike ranks with the RSV 1000 in 1998. The engine was built by Austrian firm Rotax, who have built engines for several other bike companies, including BMW, Buell, and KTM. The RSV engine was a 60 degree V-twin, 998cc, putting out a …