Post-Sale Update: This MF-19 sold for $4,595 after 7 bids on eBay.
Marusho/Lilac was a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer that was constantly under the shadow of Honda. After peaking in the late 50s, the company went bankrupt in 1962. The company was brought back to life just a year later, free of debts and configured to specifically target the American market with a 500cc twin engine – quite a large displacement for Japanese firms at the time. They also had smaller models, like this MF-19, a transverse, shaft-driven 300cc V-Twin.
According to the Marusho/Lilac Motorcycle Register, only 3 of these bikes are known to exist, and all are in the US. This example (VIN: MF-19-64-44024) has 5,400 miles and won a Best in Show trophy in September of 2014 at an undisclosed show. It’s a one-owner bike that was restored in 2009. Because it was originally purchased in Hawaii, you’ll also get the nifty original Hawaii license plate.
Find this Lilac for sale in Halifax, Virginia with bidding up to $1,500 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $8,000