Back in the days when Floyd Clymer owned the Indian name, he dabbled with a few small motorcycles like the Papoose, MM-5 minibike or the MT series of dirtbikes. One of the more interesting offerings from Indian at the time was the Boy Racer, a “scaled down ultra-lightweight for the budding enthusiast in your family“, aimed at getting 6 to …
In Canada – 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post Listing Update: This XN85 only got up to $2,510 after 18 bids on eBay, where it understandably did not meet reserve. The rarest of all Japanese production turbo bikes, the XN85 Turbo had just 1,183 example produced, and 300 were imported to the US. Here’s a non-US model currently residing in Canada which is ready for a new owner.
Rare Italian – 1955 Monviso 150 Sport
Post Listing Update: This Monviso did not meet reserve after 26 bids up to $2,324. Monviso is a barely-known Italian manufacturer that produced bikes between 1951-1956, utilizing Sachs engines. Here’s a 147cc (150) Sport, which definitely shows its 60 years of age, but I adore it. It’s been quite a challenge to find details on Monviso – have you ever …
Tricolore Hot Rod – 1995 Ducati 900SS/SP
Before the desmoquattro, there was the desmodue, or two-valve, belt-drive, air-cooled engines powering the Ducati Supersports. The 900SS series, produced from 1991-1998, used the 904cc air/oil-cooled engine derived from the Ducati Paso and available with a full-fairing or the half-faired -CR. The North American market was also blessed with a low production model designated the -SP, or “Sport Production.”
From Thailand – 1965 Daihatsu Midget Tuk Tuk
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Tuk Tuk sold for $6,000 on eBay. As a brown guy, I call these awesome three wheelers ‘rickshaws’, but these are also known the world over as ‘tuk tuks’. No matter what you call them, they’re almost never found in the US. Even better, thanks to the lax rules in Florida, this is …
1942 Harley-Davidson FL Custom
This custom ’42 Knucklehead was built in Long Beach and it seems quite popular as 60 bids have taken the action up to $27,000. It’s nice, but is it nearly $30k nice?
Race or Show? – Honda 200cc Vintage Race Bike
Based on a 1968 Honda CL175 engine, this bike has been prepared for track duty. The frame is a Taylor, the tank is aluminum, the body a CR93 Benly race replica. The engine is upped to 194cc with lots of go-fast mods in place—Norris cam, larger valves, ported heads, lightened clutch and crankshaft and the list goes on.
Press Release – Around the World in 100 Days
View PostVulcan Works – 2009 Custom Dual Engined Chopper
What’s better than a 100ci S&S engine in your bike? Two of them, of course! Built by Vulcan Works (known for custom CNC parts but they apparently build Harleys on the side), this lengthy brute has two S&S engines with Screaming Eagle carbs.
Well Restored – 1968 Honda CD175 K1
Most riders are familiar with Honda’s CB175 and CL175 – but bringing up the CD175 results in blank stares. Sold as a touring version of the 175 triplets, the CD was by all accounts a competent if slightly boring standard. With all that said, this is by far the nicest example I’ve ever seen, thanks to an impressive restoration job.
1 of 150 – 2007 Ducati 999S Team USA Replica
Ducati has a habit of adding cosmetic packages to their “R” bikes (typically the top of the line) and making race reps out of them – like the Xerox, Bayliss, or Fila replicas. When they decided to commemorate their participation in AMA Superbike, they weirdly decided to use the 999S instead of the R as the base of the Team …
1991 Buell RS 1200/5 Westwind
View PostGuess That Bike – Animated TV Show Edition
Somehow, this makes my third reference to the TV show Archer in the last week – but that’s just because it’s my favorite TV show at the moment. The animators behind Archer have been celebrated for their attention to detail when it comes to automobiles, so I thought I’d see if their motorcycle animation skills were up to snuff, too. …
Little Racer – 2009 Honda RS125 GP
Post Listing Update: This RS125R was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Honda sold the RS125 for decades, and from the beginning it was an excellent privateer race bike from the factory. Looking to learn how to race while dealing with a two-stroke powerband? Look no further.
Custom Honda GL650 Cafe Racer
Kevin Murphy is a retired master mechanic who has been working on Honda GL/CX bikes for years – I featured one of his previous builds almost exactly a year ago.