Reader John K. has just tipped me off to someone on eBay who’s selling off 7 rare small to medium Italians that have all spent the last 10 years in a museum, so they’ll need varying amounts of work. Most are about 50-60 years old, and some of these bikes, I’ve never even heard of! All bikes available in Englewood, Colorado.
I’ll just sum up each one (in no particular order), so enjoy:
1.) 1953 Benatto Dragon
VIN: 159, has 6,651 miles and an interesting lever on the muffler that lets you switch open it up for the highway or keep it quiet while in town. 2-stroke German ILO engine. Was previously for sale but bidding stalled at $2,027, now opening bid is at $1,000 or BIN of $3,000
Post-Listing Update: This Benatoo Drago did not meet reserve at $1,275.
2.) 1983 Moto Morini Sei-V
Has just 451 miles. I try not to editorialize, but that is not an attractive fairing. Bidding up to $5,500
Post-Listing Update: This Moto Morini Sei-V sold for $6,800.
3.) 1966 Cimatti 160
Basically brand new – just 10 miles! 160cc two-stroke that was never sold from the dealer because there were scratches on the forks from shipping. Everything, including the tires, is original. Bidding up to $1,025 or a BIN of $3,500
Post-Listing Update: This Cimatti was pulled off eBay, sale price unknown.
4.) 1957 Mi-Val 125
Mi-Val (Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia) was known for high quality small displacement two-strokes, hard to find even in the motherland. Speedo needs some work, seat has been reupholstered. 5,056 miles. Bidding up to $1,225 or BIN of $3,300
Post-Listing Update: After 7 bids on eBay, this Mi-Val 125 sold for $2,074.
5.) 1961 Gilera B300
Twin engine good for 15 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, designed for every day reliability as a commuter rather than anything with sporting pretensions. Later examples like this had improved lubrication and cooling to prevent bearing failures that afflicted some of the earlier models. Check out Rider Magazine for more info. This has an impressive 25,023 miles (I wasn’t making up the ‘everyday reliability’ comment!) – opening bid of $2,000 or a BIN of $6,000
Post-Listing Update: This Gilera B300 did not meet reserve at $2,000.
6.) 1959 Motom 92
Has about 7,300 miles. A 92cc lightweight commuter, it was introduced in April 1961 and did not do well commercially. Opening bid of $1,000 or BIN of $4,000
Post-Listing Update: This Motom was pulled off eBay, sale price unknown.
7.) 1954 MAS Zenith
Going to need some work. 175cc four stroke engine, there’s a dent in the tank and the bike has been repainted before. Opening bid of $1,000 or BIN of $4,500
Post-Listing Update: This MAS Zenith did not meet reserve at $1,525.
Phew! My personal favorite is probably the Zenith – I just love the proportions. Hope you find something you like!