The baby brother to the legendary Black Shadow, the Vincent Rapide was sold from 1936-55 in 3 distinct ‘Series’. The middle run was the Series B, which ended in 1948. The Rapide’s 998cc V-twin was good for 45 horsepower. By the standards of the 50’s, this motorcycle was absolutely incredible. Top speed was about 120 miles per hour, and you …
Bandit9 Bishop Concept
Bandit9 is a Chinese motorcycle customizing shop based out of Beijing and run by “Bandit Chief” Daryl Villanueva. They made some waves earlier in the year with the Eve, a very visually striking motorcycle:
Tiny Trellis – 1986 Yamaha SDR 200
Post Listing Update: This SDR was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Here’s a bike I’ve never heard of before – the Yamaha SDR 200. Originally built solely for as a JDM bike, a small amount of SDRs turned into grey-market motorcycles and were imported into Europe and the United States.
1986 Ducati 750 F1
Post Listing Update: This F1 did not meet reserve despite 5 bids up to $10,655. Ducati’s last stand before being sold to the Castiglioni brothers, the 750F1A featured hand made aluminum tanks, floating rotors, and other features designed to make it a race bike for the street. Raw and uncompromising, it was slightly down on power but an excellent handler …
1979 Ducati 900 Super Sport Darmah
Post-Listing Update: Despite bidding up to $15,200 on eBay, this Ducati 900 Super Sport Darmah did not meet reserve. After the classic 750 GT of the 70s, Ducati looked to evolve with a simpler engine, and they ended up with the first ‘square case’ bevel twin – the 860 GT. It was a commercial flop, so just a few years …
865 Miles – 1981 Honda CBX Supersport
The Honda CBX only lasted five years, but it led to a new wave of sports-oriented motorcycles, and eventually to the Honda ST series. A 6.1 gallon tank was necessary as the 6 individual carbs and monster power led to just low 20’s miles per gallon. Want to learn more? Check out Motorcycle Classic’s writeup of this legendary bike here. …
1995 Triumph Speed Triple Challenge Replica
Post Listing Update: This Speed Triple did not get any interest at the opening bid of $6,500. Triumph released their iconic Speed Triple in February of 1994 – in that year they also started a one make series called the Triumph Speed Triple Challenge. Here’s a video of the inaugural race
Tenni Green – 2012 Moto Guzzi Griso SE
The Moto Guzzi Griso SE is a special edition of the venerable Griso, that is set off by beautiful Tenni paint reminiscient of Guzzi’s racebikes of the 1950s. The SE got several extras, including spoked wheels, the beautiful paint (and brown leather seat), and blacked out parts all over the place. Mechanically, you also got adjustable suspension, and giant Brembo …
Tilting 3 Wheeler – 1984 Honda Gyro
Introduced in 1982, the Gyro series of scoots are three-wheelers (one in the front, two in the back) where the body is able to lean up to 40 degrees compared to the rear axle! GYRO is actually an acronym, which stands for “Great Your Recreation Original”. Well, the translation’s not great, but you get the idea. The initial designs were …
1984 BMW R65LS
Post-Sale Update: This BMW R65LS sold for the BIN of $4,200. The BMW R65 was the baby touring bike in BMW’s lineup, built from 1978 to 1993. A limited run, called the BMW R65LS, was built from just 1983-1985. Less than 6,500 of the LS bikes were built, and it was a very polarizing design. Even to this day, riders …
984 Miles – 1998 Ducati 916 SPS
Post Sale Update: This SPS sold for $19,100 after 46 bids on eBay. A limited edition of one of the prettiest motorcycles ever made, the Ducati 916 SPS (Sport Production Special) was an uprated version that featured a modified engine and chassis. Nearly all the specifications were improved like Ohlins rear shocks and Showa front forks, it was designed to …
1975 Laverda 3C
Predecessor to the Jota, the Laverda 3C was the Italian firms’ first three-cylinder engine. It’s also a rare bike, and this beauty is in my favorite of the Laverda colors.
1966 Norton Atlas Cafe Racer
Named after the ICBM, the Norton Atlas was released in 1962, earning a so-so reputation before being replaced by the classic Commando. Built to appeal to American aesthetic preferences, it was initially only produced for export. Here’s an example that’s been turned into a cafe racer.
Buddy Holly’s Ariel Cyclone
If Buddy Holly or Ariel motorcycles interest you, first start with this write-up from The Vintagent.
1984 Honda Ascot VT500
Named after Ascot Park, a former flat-track raceway in Los Angeles, the Honda Ascot (also known as the VT500) was a V-Twin standard that was styled after flat-track bikes. I always thought the front headlight looked silly, and in the process I unfairly over-looked the Ascot. It didn’t sell well, but owners are passionate about this bike – an excellent …