The dirt-oriented brother of the Superhawk, the CL77 featured increased ground clearance (thanks to the distinctive exhaust), a bigger frame (which eliminated space for an electric starter), smaller fuel tank, bigger 19-inch wheels, universal tires, and more. The 305cc parallel twin revved to 9,000 rpm and produced 28.5 horsepower. Weighing 352 pounds, this wasn’t a svelte off-roader, but the distinctive …
Needs Restoration – 1940 Koehler-Escoffier KS3G
Named after its founders, Koehler-Escoffier was founded in 1912. They were taken over by Monet-Goyon in 1929, and then both companies went out of business in 1957.
1,000 Miles in 24 Hours on a 22 Year Old Bike
Let’s go back in time a few years, to my first truly long ride. In the past I’ve shared with you a story of going border to border – from Canada to Mexico – in less than 24 hours. But before I did that, I had to join the Iron Butt Association, and that required an entry ride of 1,000 …
1978 BMW R100RS Motorsport
A while back, a good friend and I had a stupid and futile conversation on car and motorcycle values and investing. As a motorcycling accountant, I find this topic fascinating. As a guy in the classic auto industry, he dealt with this every day. We spent a lot of time looking at cars that had risen quickly in value (Hagerty.com …
In Belgium – 1961 IWL SR 59 Berlin
Established by Daimler-Benz in 1936 to build airplane engines, Industriewerke Ludwigsfelde (IWL) built scooters between ’54 and ’65 – they’re still kicking under Mercedes Benz, where they build Sprinter vans.
1 of 325 – 2015 Triumph Thruxton Ace Special Edition
Post Sale Update: After being relisted several times, this Ace Edition Thruxton sold for $10,100. Last year, Triumph released a limited edition of the Thruxton called the Ace Special Edition. 325 example were imported to the US, and the price of exclusivity was $700. As it seems every manufacturer is doing nowadays, the ‘special edition’ was just different paint and …
Needs Some Work – 1970 Moto Beta Premier Bebe 50
Moto Beta was almost 50 years old when they expanded from bicycles into motorcycles. They’re probably best known for their trials bikes of the 90s – Dougie Lampkin won the World Championship in ’97, ’98, and ’99 with the marque. In the 70s, some Moto Betas were imported to the US under the Premier name, like the little off-roader you …
A Good Start – 1975 Moto Guzzi 850T/V7 Project
What started as a running 850T is now almost a replica of a V7 Sport. Of course, the problem is in the word ‘almost’. It’s time for a new owner, so hopefully you can finish the job.
Interview – Zack Loucks, Ye Olde Cycle Shoppe
As I research the bikes that are featured on Bike-urious, Ye Olde Cycle Shoppe has proven to be a valuable source of information, thanks to the extensive library of vintage motorcycle road tests and advertisements. It’s run by Zack Loucks, so I thought I should hit him with the usual questions!
2003 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans Rosso Corsa
Post Sale Update: This Rosso Corsa sold for $6,700 after 32 bids on eBay. For the second straight day, we’ve got a 1-in-50 Guzzi. But this time it’s featuring red bodywork instead of a red frame. Based on the previous generation of the venerable LeMans, this bike was the pinnacle of a model known for classic Italian cafe racer lines …
Cover Girl Survivor – 1975 Honda 550F
Today’s mid-size motorcycles are sporting 800-900cc engines, but there was a time when the class was closer to 500cc. After Honda’s stunning success with the first-gen 750F, the next stop would be the smaller 500K in 1971. True to Honda fashion, this was a new design, not a shrunken 750. The finished product was a jewel to behold and a …
2009 BMW HP2 Sport
The swan song of the oil cooled BMW boxers is the HP2 Sport. A MCN review of a modified one called the HP2 Sport, “As desirable and pointless as a carbon-fibre Spitfire” although it had higher praise when the bike first debuted. While it was never as fast as anything with a Ducati badge on it for the same money …
“185cc Monster” – 2013 Honda Grom
The seller of this Grom has spent over $10,000 turning it into a “beastly 185cc monster.” It’s got plenty of trick parts, but the best news is that this bike can now finally break the speed limit on the highway!
Verde Legnano Special Edition – 2015 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
In 1971, Guzzi introduced the instant-classic V7 Sport, and they made the first 150 models extra special with green bodywork and red frame. The initial bikes were known as Telaio Rosso (red frames), and some people consider them to be the prettiest Guzzis ever built. You may not agree, but you can’t deny that they were special. To commemorate that …
Picture Intermission – Ural Tour of Europe
Last summer, Mihai Barbu and his girlfriend wanted to ‘show their four year old son the world’, so they embarked on a 17,500 mile, four-month-long trip around Europe. Why you’re hearing about it here is because they took this trip with a Ural Ranger, and have shared a whole bunch of great photos.