Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth is a legend in the hot rod and rock-art community, thanks to his creations like Rat Fink. While his focus was on building cars, he did have a phase where he focused on trikes. The “American Beetle” was one of those creations, with a 36 horsepower engine from a VW Beetle and the front fork from …
1988 Laverda SFC 1000
Post Listing Update: This Laverda RGS did not meet reserve despite 26 bids up to $11,100 on eBay. I’ve been on a little bit of a Laverda kick this last week, but it’s hard not to share these fantastic bikes when they come up for sale. So with that said, here’s one of the last examples of the classic orange …
1966 Honda S90
In a weird alternative reality that I dream about, every motorcycle rider has a Honda S90 in the garage, so I’ve got to share them with the world when good examples come up for sale. This beauty has been restored both cosmetically and mechanically – you’ll get new paint, seals, fork springs/boots, tires/tubes, and much more. In addition, the top …
1 of 200 – 1978 BMW R100RS Motorsport
Post Listing Update: This RS did not meet reserve despite 17 bids up to $6,100. A classic in its own right, the BMW R100RS needs no introduction. However, in 1978, BMW released a limited edition – the Motorsport. 200 were sold in the United States.
Cafe Corsa – 1978 Ducati 900SS
Bored out to 905cc, this bevel drive Ducati has just 78 miles on it since a restoration which took 3 years. The seller took special note to avoid modern parts, with the exception of the tires, battery, and mirrors, in an attempt to “keep the character” of this classic. You’ll get 40mm Dell’orto carbs, Marzocchi rear shocks, and plenty of …
1978 KTM MC5 400
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this KTM sold for $2,500 on eBay. The KTM MC5 was an expensive but well spec’d off-roader. Thanks to this, the 400’s were the bikes to beat in Southern California Open desert competition, according to Cycle World. For a review of this bike from Cycle back in 1978, head on over to Ye Old Cycle …
1983 Kawasaki GPz750
Post Sale Update: This GPz sold for $2,605 after 53 bids on eBay. This Kawasaki GPz750 (VIN: JKAZXDA16DA00271) has over 14,000 miles on the odometer, but you’d be hard pressed to tell that from the excellent cosmetic shape it’s in. Thanks to a recent restoration, you’ll get plenty of new parts and a new paint job. Buy this and pay …
2003 Triumph Speed Four
The Speed Triple has been a commercial success for two decades, but between 2002-2006 it had an inline 4 cylinder brother, the Triumph Speed Four. The naked variant of the TT600 sport bike, the Speed Four had the fuel injection problems fixed. The 599cc engine yielded 97 horsepower, good for a top speed of 155 mph and a 3.5 second …
30 Miles – 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma
Post-Sale Update: After 35 bids on eBay, this Suzuki RG500 Gamma sold for a whopping $36,900! Suzuki’s RG500 Gamma is one of the defining bikes of the 1980’s. Somehow, there’s now one for sale with just 30 miles on the odometer.
1 of 170 – 2002 Moto Guzzi LeMans Tenni
Post Sale Update: This Tenni sold for $6,425 after 18 bids on eBay. The Moto Guzzi LeMans Tenni was a limited production model produced only in ’02 and ’03. Just 170 examples were produced, and the most obvious difference is the custom paint scheme and large quasi-dustbin fairing.
Video Intermission – On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter
As motorcycle enthusiasts, most of you have probably seen (or at least heard of) the classic documentary, On Any Sunday. Well, the ‘sequel’ is coming out this fall, and the teaser trailer was just released a couple of days ago. Check out the trailer here, or head on over to the film’s website for more information. This tip from reader …
No Reserve – 1970 Husqvarna 250 Cross Racer
In the 60s, American motocross was full of heavy street bikes that had been poorly modified to play in the dirt. A man named Edison Dye was on a trip to Europe and noticed how riders were utilizing smaller and lighter bikes. After getting Malcolm Smith to try out a Husky, Dye became its importer to the states, and the …
1981 Maico 490 Mega II
Post-Listing Update: Despite being relisted and getting 11 bids on eBay, this Maico 490 Mega II did not meet reserve at $5,555.55. Flaunting one of the best dirtbike names ever, the Maico 490 Mega II was considered by many to be one of the best open class motorcross bikes ever built. Back in the 80s, there was a lot of …
Triple Threat – 2006 Triumph Rocket III Custom
The Triumph Rocket III made quite the stir when it first came out in 2004, as it had the largest displacement engine fitted to mass production motorcycle – a whopping 2.3L that put out 140 hp. Fun fact: the STARTER motor on this bike makes as much power as Triumph’s first-ever motorcycle – just about 1.75 horses. The bike was …
1966 BSA Hornet
Post Sale Update: This Hornet sold for $7,499 after 10 bids on eBay. In the 60s, the US was clamoring for desert racers, and fans of the BSA Lightning were hoping for a stripped down version from the British firm. Enter the BSA Hornet, a 650cc stripper-spec without lighting.