You too can can be like Prince! Here is your starting point…. This 1982 Kawasaki Spectre 1100 comes with a complete set of Vetter bags, tail trunk AND the Windjammer fairing. It’s even got some purple trim! For the complete look you’re going to have to add a sissy bar, but that’s easy – no welding required.
2 Weeks In The West – Day 6
View PostIn England – 1978 Yamaha SR500 Custom
The English Electric Lightning was a Cold War era jet fighter known for having an incredible rate of climb – pilots said flying it was like “being saddled to a skyrocket.” That plane was the inspiration for this Yamaha custom built by Old Empire Motorcycles – a SR500 dubbed “Lightning.”
1957 Maserati 160 T4
I found this bike for sale and didn’t know it existed. Maserati made a motorcycle? The answer is an unqualified yes, but not only are the bikes extremely rare, but information on them is also very hard to come by. It seems that when Andolfo Orsi (an industrialist who owned many companies including Maserati) died his sister Ida Orsi inherited …
Fully Dressed Restoration – 1967 BMW R50/2
Pots Sale Update: After 35 bids on eBay, this BMW sold for $11,211. Here’s another classic BMW restored by Brooks Motor Works – last week I shared a R69S that he had restored. This R50/2 is on the other side of the riding spectrum thanks to bags and a whole lot of wind protection.
1967 Matchless Hybrid
1967 was very nearly the end of the line for Matchless and Norton Villers (the parent company) Leftover 1968 models were sold as 1969s but 1967 was really the last year for regular production. In the early and mid 60s Matchless had seen some serious engine problems to the point where the parent company combined the factories and started putting …
Old and New – 1975 Honda “CB450R”
Post Listing Update: This CB450R did not get any action at the opening bid of $3,550. Built by Kurt Blankemeyer of Design Cycle, this “CB450R” combines a heavily modified frame from a ’75 CB400F and mates it to a Honda CRF450R motorcross engine. It is glorious, and it’s on offer with no reserve.
Unexpected Custom – 1974 BMW R90S
Post Listing Update: This R90S was relisted a couple of times, but eventually it did not meet reserve with the bids stalling at $8,500. Obviously, BMW airheads have become a popular platform for customization in the last few years. Still, you don’t expect to see someone start with a R90S! What do you think of the end result? Before you …
The Black Racer – 2004 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans Nero Corsa
Post Listing Update: This Nero Corsa was relisted at an opening bid of $8,200, but it still got no interest. The last of the spine frame Guzzis, the Nero Corsa was a beautiful limited edition of the V11 LeMans. I’ve seen rumors that just 200 were built (50 of which made it to the US), but I have not been …
Military Cutaway – 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA
Post Listing Update: Insanely, this non-functional WLA did not meet reserve $37,100 despite 30 bids on eBay. Affectionately known as “The Liberator”, Harley-Davidson’s WLA is one of the most famous military motorcycles of all time. Unfortunately, this example isn’t in running shape, but hopefully you won’t mind because it’s a cutaway that was used to educate military mechanics on how …
Restored SWB – 1973 BMW R75/5
Post Listing Update: Despite 23 bids up to $6,580, this BMW did not meet reserve. The recipient of a recent “full restoration”, this short wheelbase slash 5 is said to start, run, and ride like a dream.
Fast Orange – 2009 KTM RC8
KTM has always built some great dirt and enduro bikes. Their top-of-the-line Adventure Series go head-to-head with BMW GS’s. Their early street bikes were mainly supermoto-type derivatives of the mid-displacement dirt bikes. Think KTM 690 Supermoto. The RC8 was their first go at the pure Superbike market. First available in the US as a 2009 model, it was an 1,148cc …
Ending Soon – 1972 Harley Davidson Baja 100
Post Sale Update: This Baja sold for $9,500 after 44 bids on eBay.
High Mileage – 1980 Yamaha XS1100 LG
Yamaha released the XS11 in 1978 as the most powerful production motorcycle on the planet. Astoundingly it was Yamaha’s first 4 stroke 4 cylinder motor ever. In 1979 Yamaha issued the XS 11 in two trim levels: ‘Standard’ and ‘Special’. This was to continue throughout the entire production run. The Special had higher bars, a stepped seat, smaller diameter rear …
In Italy – 1924 Brough Superior SS80
Post Listing Update: Did not meet reserve with 36 bids up to $85,100. The SS80 was named because Brough Superior guaranteed that each model would be able to top 80 miles per hour. Motor Cycle magazine had a different name for it – they called it the “Rolls-Royce of Motor Cycles.” Some people just consider it to be the predecessor …