Update: Turns out that since I wrote up this preview, Bonham’s has added many more motorcycles to the listing. Check out the full list and the link below. This auction preview is going international – specifically to Beaulieu National Motor Museum in Hampshire, United Kingdom for a Bonham’s auction on September 6, 2014. Of the featured vehicles, 10 are some …
1950 Stokvis Rap Imperial Moped
Post-Listing Update: After being relisted twice, this bike did not meet reserve at $930. I’ve never heard of this, and I can’t find much information about it online, but the Stokvis Rap Imperial is a cool-looking scooter that you won’t see anywhere else. The red/white paint scheme and the white walls scream 50s Cadillac to me – in my dreams …
1992 Yamaha YSR50
The Yamaha YSR50 was the most common of the rare 50cc sportbikes that came from Japan in the late 80s and early 90s. An instant classic, the YSR50 was always street legal, but is now primarily used in spec racing.
I’m on Vacation!
Hola loyal readers – I’m taking off to Brazil for a week and a half, so posting might be less frequent for the next few days. I apologize in advance. On the flip side, the whole trip will be worth it if I somehow stumble upon the Amazonas 1600 – a Brazilian monstrosity designed to replace the aging fleet of …
1975 Norton Commando 920
Despite saying just yesterday that I try to avoid featuring projects, I’m going to do it again with this interesting Norton Commando “920”. Oops.
1968 Benelli Mojave 360
The Benelli Mojave 360 was a scrambler/enduro that was inspired by the dirtbikes of Rickman…yet were available from the department store Montgomery Ward’s.
1998 Honda CBR600 F3 Smokin’ Joe’s Replica
One of my favorite liveries of all time is the Marlboro McLaren F1s of the early 90s – probably in part due to my obsession with Ayrton Senna. Nowadays, a livery featuring a tobacco company is pretty much out of the question. I don’t even smoke, but I have a soft spot for the cigarette liveries that we will never …
2003 Royal Enfield Bullet Continental
When Royal Enfield entered the US market a few years ago, they had an interesting side offering – complete kits to convert your motorcycle into a a cafe racer, scrambler, statesider, etc. They’ve since opened up a separate parts division called nfieldgear (how cute), where you can see some examples. Here’s an example of a Royal Enfield Bullet that got …
1938 Indian Four 438
Post-Listing Update: This 438 did not meet reserve with bidding up to $64,850 on eBay. One of the most famous Indians, the Indian Four 438 is a descendant of the Ace motorcycles that Indian purchased in 1927. Some consider this to be the finest Indian ever built.
RC51 – 2001 Honda RVT1000R
The Honda RVT1000R, also known as the RC51, was Honda’s take on the V-Twin replica racer, beating Ducati at it’s own game with multiple World Superbike Championships and a AMA Championship. It all started back in 1988, when rule changes allowed for V-Twin engines up to 999cc in a time when 750cc 4-cylinders were dominating races. Ducati took over with …
Fire Bike – 1960 Honda C71 Dream
Post-Listing Update: This fire-fighting bike did not meet reserve at $976 after 7 bids on eBay. I try to avoid featuring projects on this site, but when someone gives you the chance to feature a motorcycle that was used in fire response, you take what you can get! This Honda C71 Dream was an ex-fire bike in Japan and is …
2001 Ducati MH900e Evoluzione
There are multiple motorcycles out there inspired by Mike Hailwood, but the Ducati MH900e Evoluzione might be the most visually extreme. Originally a sketch from the legenedary Pierre Terblanche, Ducati got plenty of positive feedback and decided to post a survey on their website to see if its passionate fans would actually buy a production version. 300 people said yes, …
To the Top of Alaska, Day 13
Day 13 – June 16th, 2014 – Fairbanks, AK to Happy Valley, AK ~410 miles The day didn’t get off to a good start. We were supposed to meet up with Mike, who was also staying at the University. We figured that we would get a 6am start and see if the weather gods would be nice, in an attempt …
1934 BMW R4
Post Sale Update: This R4 sold for $17,000 after 22 bids on eBay. As the 30s rolled around and Depression hit, BMW saw the need for a diminutive single-cylinder bike to offer alongside its twins. The sub 200cc R2 sold quite well, but the BMW R4 was an intermediate bike between the budget single and the bigger bikes. The R4 …
70s Inspired – Triumph Scrambler
I discovered Marin Speed Shop through an auction for a Ducati 1199 Superleggera that Zack B gave me a heads up about. When I was poking around their website, I discovered that they also produce some custom bikes. At the moment, they’ve only got one for sale – this 70s inspired Triumph Scrambler.