Here’s a lovely first year example of the Shovelhead engine (with an electric start, of course). The bike has had two owners – the current one has had the bike since 1985. The engine and transmission were recently refreshed and the bike has since been in storage. Though they’re not currently on the bike, all the dresser parts – seat …
3 Rare Enduros – 1999 Praga ED 250
A manufacturing company based out of Prague, Praga was founded in 1907 as an automobile manufacturer – it was eventually acquired by the International Truck Alliance in 2006. During those 99 years, they made a wide variety of products, including tanks, buses, aircraft, and (most famously) cars. Between 1929-1933, they built motorcycles. Fast forward 66 years and Praga started up …
Spring Break in Utah – Part 2
Part 1 of my little Utah trip covered days 1-3. Here’s part 2, which spans days 4-6, including Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Death Valley, and one of the weirdest theories about cancer you’ll ever hear.
Bonham’s Spring Stafford Auction Preview 2015
On April 26th, Bonhams is going to auction off 50 sweet motorcycles. Click this link to check out the full list, or scroll down to see five of my favorites.
1 of 3 Remaining – 1964 Marusho Lilac MF-19
Post-Sale Update: This MF-19 sold for $4,595 after 7 bids on eBay. Marusho/Lilac was a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer that was constantly under the shadow of Honda. After peaking in the late 50s, the company went bankrupt in 1962. The company was brought back to life just a year later, free of debts and configured to specifically target the American market …
2002 MZ Baghira Black Panther
Post Listing Update: This Black Panther did not meet reserve despite 18 bids up to $1,528 on eBay. MZ decided to expand their product line with the introduction of the MZ Baghira, a dual sport with excellent components – bodywork from Acerbis, motor from Yamaha, and suspension from WP. It all combined to make a rare and very satisfying dual …
Homebrew Cafe – 2007 Suzuki Ryca 650 CS-1
Though the seller never actually says it, this looks to be a Ryca 650 CS-1 kit, designed to turn your Suzuki S40 into a cafe racer with $2,800 worth of parts.
Is the Daytona 200 Dead?
From Reader David N comes a sobering look at how the Daytona 200 was this year, a nice counterpoint to the press releases that said “20,000 sun-drenched fans” made it out to watch what ended up being a bit of a bummer.
Spring Break in Utah – Part 1
I got positive feedback on my trip to Alaska, so I thought I’d take a moment to share a previous trip (don’t worry, this isn’t a 26 day chronicle, just 2 posts). Southern Utah is one of my favorite places in the US to ride, and almost two years ago to the day I took off a few days out …
Ending Soon – 1975 BMW R90/6 Custom
Normally I don’t go for these types of customs, but I’m enjoying the matching pinstriping of the fenders and tank. Plus the bike’s been restored so you should be set mechanically. Highlights of the modifications include a custom Steiger seat, custom coilovers in the rear and Showa 40mm forks up front, Euro bars, and a rebuilt engine from a R100 …
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
A show-winning example (1st Place in Classic ’76-’89 at the Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club Show in Auburn, California) of the Honda CB400F Super Sport, this beauty is claimed to run like new and look like it should still be in a showroom. Hard to argue with the cosmetic claims, based on the photos. The only thing the seller has replaced …
1971 Triumph Tiger TR6R
The Triumph Tiger was the little brother of the Bonneville, born again in ’71 with the new oil-in-frame chassis. Here’s an example that’s cosmetically clean thanks to the fact that it has spent the last 20 years in storage.
Still In Crates – 2 100th Anniversary Harleys
Someone’s got a 100th Anniversary edition of a Road King CVO and a Fat Boy, and they’re both in the crate as delivered from the factory. Long term investment destined for Mecum in 50 years or just another bike?
1980 Rickman CRE 1000 Predator
I’ve featured plenty of bikes from this seller (who somehow always has his/her hands on exquisite Italian machinery), many of which have been Bimotas that featured Italian frames/bodywork around Japanese engines. This time around we’re going with the British/Japanese combo of the Rickman CRE 1000 Predator, an odd sport-touring bike from a machine most people associate with expressions of light …
1977 Ducati 900SS
Post Listing Update: This Ducati was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The Ducati 900SS was built as a sportier version of the 860GT, it was designed to evoke a similarity to the classic 750SS Desmo. Unfortunately, bikes like the Mike Hailwood Replica were more in demand, relegating the 900SS to commercial mediocrity. As the model evolved, the …