The Rumi Formichino (Italian for “Little Ant”) was an impressive scooter with a very distinctive design – there’s a prototype now in the renovated Petersen.
Numero Uno – Laverda SFC1000
View PostVideo Intermission – River Crossing
When you’ve got an excavator at your disposal…I guess you have to use it?
Sitting Since ’69 – 1949 Vincent Rapide
In 1969, this Vincent Rapide was parked for an engine rebuild due to backfiring. Looks like the only work was removal of the carbs, and the bike has been waiting for you for over 45 years.
Needs Some Work – 1928 Harley Davidson Peashooter
Harley-Davidson released the Peashooter to compete in the 350cc class of AMA racing, and it was clearly designed with one purpose – because you didn’t get a clutch, transmission, or even brakes!
1963 BMW R69S
Post-Listing Update: This R69S was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. From a 1962 review in Cycle World: “Whatever the BMW’s merits in a contest of speed, it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride. To be honest, we think that anyone who would worry much over …
3 Overpriced Harleys
A seller in Oregon has 3 truly interesting Harleys…but no one’s going to say that they’re bargains!
Picture Intermission – Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally 2015
View PostStreet Legal Flat Tracker – 1974 Triumph Custom
Post Listing Update: This Triumph was relisted severla times but never met reserve. Highest bidding was up to $8,100. This ex-dirt tracker was converted to be street legal with lights and a front brake so you can enjoy it on or off-road.
1961 Demm Dick Dick
Yes, that’s the real name. Demm was an Italian manufacturer based out of Milan that specialized in small (50-175cc) two wheelers. They created bikes between ’53 and ’82 (some were briefly imported to the US between ’76 and ’78) and had some truly interesting names for their bikes, like the Dick-Matic, Ping Pong, and this Dick Dick.
In Australia – MV Agusta Monoalbero
In 1952, Cecil Sandford won the 125cc World Championship on a MV Agusta – the first of the firm’s 37 titles. The next year, MV released the Monoalbero (single cam), designed to be a privateer racer you could get straight from the factory.
Sandcast Beauty – 1969 Honda CB750 K0
In hindsight, the Honda CB750 was a tremendous sales success, but when Soichiro Honda introduced the bike, he utilized cheap/rough sandcast molds for the engine before it was clear that there would be enough demand to justify buying expensive metal molds. The first 7,414 bikes are known as sandcast CB750s for that reason, and they’re worth quite a bit more.
Total Restoration – 1959 Triumph Bonneville
There’s just something about the “Tangerine Dream” paint job of the early Bonnies that I can’t resist – and thanks to the beautiful photos of this restored example, you can share my joy as well.
1970 Yamaha G6S
Very similar to the FS1 “Fizzy” that was popular in Europe, Yamaha’s G6S was a tiny tiddler with a 80cc engine. This impressive example sat for 30 years but now “runs and rides” as it should.
In Belgium – 1967 MZ Trophy ES250/2
Nicknamed the TV Lamp due to the headlight (or the Iron Pig due to the generally ugly looks), the MZ Trophy ES was a quick seller in East Germany due to a lack of competition and a focus on practicality. 1967 brought the ES 250/2, which is what you see in front of you. Cheaper than the 250cc competition, these …