Post Listing Update: After 24 bids on eBay, Olivia did not meet reserve at $6,800. It relisted but bidding petered out at $6,750. Named Olivia, this CL450 custom was built by Hot Sake Cycles. The goal seems to have been to save weight, which explains the extensive use of carbon fiber. The seller says that all of the body parts …
Picture Intermission – Mecum Chicago
Reader Dean J was at the Mecum Chicago auction yesterday and he was kind enough to share some photos for those of you that weren’t able to make it out. Here’s a few of my favorites:
1 of 805 – 1995 Triumph Daytona Super III
Triumph’s Super III was a limited edition of the under-appreciated Daytona 900. Featuring engine tuning by Cosworth, they sold just 805 worldwide, 179 of which made it to the United States.
Dave Moss Racer – Honda VFR428
Just a couple of days ago, I brought up Dave Moss as he’s coming to Beach Moto for some suspension tuning. Looks like we’re going back to him today because he’s selling one of his championship winning race bikes.
Stock or Modified? Yamaha RD350s
This seller’s got two examples of Yamaha RD350s – one’s a cafe custom and the other is stock. Which do you prefer?
2005 Benelli Tornado Tre
Benelli was one of the many companies that struggled to survive the onslaught of Japanese competition, starting all the way back in the 60s. As years passed, Benelli was bought and sold several times until production was shut down and the company was merged into Moto Guzzi in 1988. 2002 marked the return of Benelli, with their first new bike …
Video Intermission – The Motorcycles of “Jay Leno’s Garage”
As if I haven’t spent enough time watching the motorcycle videos from Jay Leno’s Garage, now they’ve consolidated all their ‘2 wheels good’ videos into one playlist. I don’t think I’ll be getting any work done today…
Unexpected Donation – Still New 1983 Kawasaki GPz1100
I’ve seen some odd places to find motorcycles for sale, but this is definitely a new one. Somehow, there’s a “brand new, never been used” GPz that’s for sale at Goodwill. Wonder who donated this!
Guess That Bike – Not Italian Edition
The tank of this bike reminds of the ‘jelly bean’ unit found on classic Ducatis. But, this ain’t a Ducati. Can you guess what it is?
Quail Participant – 1992 Ducati 851 Custom
Post-Listing Update: This 851 did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,500. The seller originally acquired this 851 Strada as a “cosmetic basketcase” and decided he liked how it looked without bodywork. Thanks to a custom subframe, fiberglass cafe seat, and a few other pieces, you get a bike that (in the seller’s words) is “meant to ride, …
Surprise Under the Seat – 1994 Suzuki GSX-R 1100
Normally a stock super sport with a tail tidy and flush mount turn signals isn’t a big deal. However, this bike packs a bit of a surprise: flip a switch inside the front fairing and then the horn button turns the nitrous bottle that’s hidden under the seat cowl! The seller has a dyno chart showing 125 horsepower at the …
Picture Intermission – 2016 Vintage Motorcycles Reborn Show
Along with Ron Sweetin, Bike-urious reader Bob Kelly co-organizes the Vintage Motorcycles Reborn show in Colorado. They just had their sixth annual show – come check out what was featured!
Guess That Bike Revealed – Reader Acquisition Edition
Wow – I’ve got to say that I was impressed with how many of you quickly spotted that this was a Norman. Points go to commenter jihelle, who was the first to identify that it’s a Norman with a 122cc engine. Immediately after WWII, Norman got back into motorcycle production with two bikes, both with Villiers engines. There was the …
Sparkling – 1990 Honda VFR
Entering its third generation, the 1990 remake of the VFR signaled the repositioning of the series away from its sport bike beginnings and into a sport touring role. Marketed as a thinking man’s motorbike, the model gained some cool updates along with a few pounds, and lost the “Interceptor” tag. The ’90 was available only in the Italian Red seen …