In the summer of 2014, I was lucky enough to ride my BMW 1150GS from Los Angeles to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, stand on the Arctic Ocean (because it was still frozen over), and then ride back home. I rode up with a buddy who was riding a R1200GS, as well as my girlfriend, who flew in for part of the …
1974 Vincent Egli Black Shadow
Post-Listing Update: This Vincent Egli Black Shadow did not meet reserve with 36 bids up to $44,100. The Vincent Egli Black Shadow is a combination of two amazing things – the 1000cc engine and pedigree of the Vincent Black Shadow with a classic Egli nickel plated chassis. Feel free to drool.
2014 KTM Super Duke 1290
Some of my favorite deals in the motorcycling world are when you can pick up a basically brand new bike for thousands off because the new owner has to sell for whatever reason – assuming you’re not the kind of person who has to have a new bike. With a bike as exciting as the KTM Super Duke 1290, what’s …
1 Owner – 1993 BMW R100GSPD
Post Sale Update: This Paris-Dakar sold for $7,900 after 31 bids on eBay. The BMW R100GSPD (PD stands for Paris-Dakar) is my favorite of the dual-sporting BMW’s – even if this specific example is yet more proof of my theory that in the 80s and early 90s, BMW’s designers had a lot of trouble with color selection.
2014 Norton 961 SF
Post Listing Update: This SF did not meet reserve despite 27 bids up to $22,001.98. The rebirth of the Norton Commando now comes in 3 different models – the Cafe Racer, the Sport, and this – the Norton Commando 961 SF. There was also a limited production Special Edition that I’ve featured previously.
Candy Cane – 2007 BMW R1200S
The sportiest R-series that the firm had ever made (to be usurped by the HP2), the BMW R1200S was an evolution of the R11S, though this time they focused much more on the first half of the “sport-touring” equation.
Pipeburn Feature – 1977 Yamaha RD400 Custom
Here’s an interesting Yamaha RD400 Custom that was customized by Rusty Bolt Garage of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It got plenty of love on the internet, including a feature on Pipeburn – now it can get plenty more love in your garage.
Bucephalus – 1966 Triumph Bonneville Custom
Post-Listing Update: Bucephalus was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. It’s unfair to even call this a Bonneville – think of it as an unique, high-tech frame with a vintage Bonnie engine.
Police Project – 1969 Honda CB450 Police Special
I have a weakness for older ‘service’ bikes, like a previously featured Honda Dream Fire Bike and this Honda CB450 Police Special, which may have also been officially called the Honda CP450. According to the AMA, just 25 were imported to the US to pilot an entrance into the police motorcycle market.
Postie – 2004 Honda CT110
Post Listing Update: This Postie did not get any attention at the opening bid of $2,200. The successor to the CT90, the CT110 is clutchless, meaning your left hand is much more free to do other things, like…delivering mail. For years, Australia and New Zealand used these bikes for their postal workers, and the little CT110 has affectionately become known …
1939 Zundapp K800
Zundapp had tremendous success in the 30s with the K series of bikes, the smallest of which was 200cc, and the largest of which was the Zundapp K800.
To the Top of Alaska, Day 23
June 26th, 2014 – Fremont, CA to Los Angeles, CA ~410 miles And so it ends – one last day for me to get from Bui’s home to my own. But because Bui’s bike was having an occasional fuel delivery issue, I left my trusty 1150GS at his place and took his bike down to LA to have our usual …
Video Intermission – Hang Glider + Motorcycle
Yesterday I shared a video of Robbie Maddison taking a dirt bike sky high – this video is about a gentleman named Bobby Wills going long, instead. Thanks to a little bit of ingenuity and a nifty ‘kite’, you got the following. Very cool (but you’ve got to overlook the absurdly dubbed sound effects):
2007 Buell XBRR
A factory-built, $30,995 racebike, the Buell XBRR was Erik Buell’s effort at taking care of privateer racers, and it was specifically designed to compete in the AMA Formula Xtreme class. Oddly enough, that’s normally a race for modified 600cc bikes, and the XBRR uses a 1339cc Thunderstorm V-Twin. Still, that’s where AMA thought the Buell would be competitive. For more, …
1956 James Captain
The James Cycle Company was a British firm that had a 70 year run that abruptly ended in 1966 when Japanese imports started to dominate the market. Until then, they produced plenty of bikes (most of which were painted maroon) with Villiers and AMC engines. One of their more popular models was the James Captain you see before you.