I end today’s Ducati trifecta with this absolute stunner – a Ducati 250cc F3 Racer. Built to compete in the Formula 3 series, this bike was partially based on the Marianna, though nearly nothing from the road bike 250cc engines were used. According to Bonham’s, which put up a similar bike for auction with an estimate of about $80k in …
“Pasta Rocket” – 1975 Ducati 860 GT
Built for just two years, the Ducati 860 GT was the Italian’s first ‘square case’ bevel twin. It was also a commercial flop, to be quickly replaced with the much more beloved 900 series bikes. This bike was styled by noted car designer Giugiaro, who went with an angular design that created some controversy. The bike put down 57 horsepower, …
1974 Ducati 750GT
Ducati’s first V-Twin, the 750GT featured a 60 horsepower 748cc twin, which was good enough to push the 407 pound (dry) bike up to 125 miles per hour. Original MSRP was $1,995. Want to learn more? Check out a lengthy write-up here on Motorcycle Classics about what makes the 750GT special. This specific bike has 25,000 miles and has been …
To The Top of Alaska, Day 7
June 10, 2014 – On the Ferry, 0 road miles I realize that most people doing this trip don’t take the ferry – it’s expensive, it ain’t quick, and…you’re not enjoying your bike when you’re on the water! But one of the milestones we wanted to see was Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, and for that you can only get in …
1993 Ducati 888 SPO
The Ducati 888 SPO was a limited edition of the 888 – only 390 were produced over two years. Featuring the trademark desmo valve V-Twin, this 888 produced 94 horsepower and were very much suited to track time. Though road legal, the riding position is what one would call “committed”, and they weren’t friendly in traffic.
1962 Norton Manx
Post Listing Update: This Manx did not meet reserve despite 57 bids up to $30,100. The Norton Manx was a racing bike built for a whopping 15 years built in long stroke and short stroke variants. The Manx has a long, complicated history, but in recent times there has been a resurgence in its popularity for classic motorcycle racing, leading …
1984 Laverda RGS 1000
Post Sale Update: This Laverda RGS sold for $13,000 after 36 bids on eBay. The Laverda RGS 1000 is one of the last versions of the big triple, which tamed the “peaky” Jota engine, isolated the rider from vibrations with rubber mounts from the engine, and added the half-fairing. It was a true sport tourer, best on fast roads with …
1955 AJS Model 18CS
The AJS Model 18CS was an evolution of the Model 18 – a bike that can trace its roots back to the G3L, an ex-military bike that was sold off in surplus once the war had ended. The C stood for Competition (as a scrambler bike), and the S stood for the fact that it had a suspension as opposed …
One Year Only – 1933 Indian Motoplane
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Indian Motoplane sold for $65,000. No, it’s not a plane. If anything, the Indian Motoplane actually represents the firm’s plummet to the ground during the Great Depression. At the time, Indian’s customer base was looking for a bike like the discontinued 101, a light 45 cubic inch bike. But the company didn’t feel like …
To The Top of Alaska, Day 6
June 9, 2014 – Vanderhoof, BC to Prince Rupert, BC ~385 miles Got an early start the next day because we had to catch the ferry that night, and the ferry system says you should be there 3 hours early.
1952 Norton Manx 40M
Post Listing Update: This Manx was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Today’s trifecta of wonderful Nortons ends with one of the most iconic racing bikes ever built – the Norton Manx 40M. Built for a whopping 15 years built in long stroke and short stroke variants. The Manx has a long, complicated history – which means that …
1961 Triton
If you don’t know what gives the Triton name, here’s a little history lesson. The term Triton came about as many private builders (and even some dealerships in London) started to take the best features of Triumphs and Nortons – the engine from the former and the frame from the latter – to make a bike that had the best …
1973 Norton Commando VR880
Post-Listing Update: Despite 18 bids on eBay, this Norton Commando VR880 did not meet reserve at $15,100. Kenny Dreer, the man who almost brought Norton back from the grave several years ago, got his start restoring motorcycles from the British marque at his shop called Vintage Rebuilds (VR) near Portland, Oregon. As the 1990s came to an end, he started …
Ending Soon – 1975 Norton 850 Commando John Player
Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Norton 850 Commando John Player sold for $6,801.09. I know I just featured one of these bikes, but this Norton 850 Commando John Player is one of the nicer examples I’ve seen with an auction full of details and photos – and that’s always a winner.
Euro Spec – 1993 Moto Guzzi Daytona
1-11-2015 Update: The bike was pulled from the original listing but it’s now up for sale again 5 months later from a different seller (Automania – where they’re asking for $10,995). Find it for sale with bidding up to $3,553 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Dr. John Wittner made a name for himself in the late …