Post Listing Update: This Mudlark did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $7,400. Every once in a while, we encounter a bike that’s rare not by choice. Today’s example of that is the Penton Mudlark, one of the rare flops from John Penton and his self-titled, now defunct, manufacturing firm. Originally designed as a trials bike, it was …
Immaculate Indian – 1946 Indian Chief
Post-Sale Update: Wow. Just a few hours after we posted this Indian Chief for sale, it sold for the full asking price of $30,000. The Indian Chief was the most famous of the motorcycles produced by Indian, a company founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded even before Triumph and Harley, Indian has been in and out of business since …
1 of 55 – 1983 Harley-Davidson FXSB Dealer Award
Here’s one we’ve never heard of before – the Harley-Davidson FXSB Dealer Award, a limited run of just 55 models built as an award for dealers. This shovelhead displaces 1340cc, and it came in a lovely shade of “Candy Apple Rootbeer” that shines just right in sunlight. Have you been looking for the perfect rare Harley project? This might be …
1999 Corbin Sparrow
Post-Sale Update: After 9 bids on eBay, this Corbin Sparrow sold for $6,256.56. Alright, it might be a stretch to call this a motorcycle, but as it was developed by Mike Corbin (of Corbin seat fame), we’ll let this one slide. In addition to his famous aftermarket seat company, Corbin pursued electric vehicle development for many years. In fact, he …
Beetle Power – 1964 “VMW” Willis 4
We start off this listing by apologizing for the picture quality, but this bike is just too interesting not to share. In the 1960’s, two men named Jack Pruett and Bruce Butterfield owned a motorcycle dealership named Jack’s in Fresno, California. The two combined forces with a Mr. Willis and built adapters that allowed them to put VW 1600cc 4-cylinder …
Mini Indian – 1974 Indian MM-5A
Post-Listing Update: Despite 25 bids on eBay, this Indian MM-5A did not meet reserve at $2,080. The Indian MM-5A, also known as the Indian Mini Mini, was a mini bike designed for little children (4-5 year olds) to become familiar with motorcycles, but also the Indian brand. There were two marketing goals with this bike – encourage older riders to …
2011 Confederate P120 Fighter Combat
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Confederate P120 Fighter Combat sold for $70,000 on eBay. Ever since we started Bike-urious, we’ve been waiting to feature this bike. We all love the Confederate Fighter an inordinate amount – in fact one of our staff members finally decided to get a bike after seeing this picture:
Homebrew Cafe – 2005 Suzuki Ryca 650 CS-1
Suzuki’s Boulevard S40, previously known as the LS650 Savage, is a simple, low-powered entry-level cruiser. A Los Angeles based company called Ryca saw a way to spice up the S40, with the Ryca 650 CS-1 kit. It takes a rather ugly semi-Sportster clone and turns it into a lithe cafe racer styled bike with some actual semblance of personality.
1967 Cushman Minute Miser
Post-Sale Update: This Cushman Minute Miser sold for $2,500. Founded in 1903, Cushman started as an engine producer for farm equipment and quickly evolved into a manufacturer of personal, industrial, and custom vehicles like the Model 53, a vehicle designed to be dropped from airplanes into combat situations. They also developed the Cushman Minute Miser, a little runabout ideal for …
Don’t Drink and Drive – 2009 Budweiser Mini Chopper
Just like this bike, this post will be short and sweet. In the last few years, Budweiser ran a promotion where contestants could win a miniature chopper bike that was street-legal and capable of nearly 55 miles per hour, though we’d be terrified to do so!
Featured First – 1970 Rupp Go Joe
Post-Sale Update: After 16 bids on eBay, this Rupp Go Joe sold for $1,858. Founded in 1959, Rupp Manufacturing started out as a kart manufacturer in Mansfeld, Ohio. Within 10 years, they had grown to a 400-employee shop pumping out mini-bikes, go-karts, snowmobiles, and what some people consider to be the first “4 wheeler” – the Rupp Go Joe. Produced …
The Original Cruiser – 1973 Triumph Hurricane X-75
11-3 Update: And, it’s back. Find this Triumph Hurricane X-75 here on eBay at the same bonkers price of $37,995. Let’s see if someone bites this time. Post Sale Update: Despite being re-listed, this Triumph Hurricane failed to sell. We’ll see if the seller tries again with a lower price in the future. The Triumph Hurricane represented a paradigm shift …
1983 Harley Davidson FXDG Willie G Special
10-31 Update: It’s back! Find it here on eBay – we’ll see if it hits the reserve this time or not. Post-Auction Update: After being relisted, this Harley Davidson FXDG Willie G Special did not meet reserve at $10,000 on eBay. The Harley Davidson FXDG Willie G Special was a one-year-only limited edition that was surprisingly subtle compared to other HD …
Buell is Back – 2012 EBR 1190RS
Post Listing Update: This EBR was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Motorcycle enthusiasts are all familiar with the story of Erik Buell, and the disappointing end of his partnership with Harley-Davidson. Good News – Buell is back! In 2011, Erik and his company, Erik Buell Racing (EBR), decided to get back in the sportbike game with a …
Flamethrowers and Cannons – Electric Batpod
Before you do anything else, watch this video (please note that embedding is disabled, so you’ll have to watch it on Youtube): http://youtu.be/5NLOToJNmYs Back? Good. Let’s get right to the good stuff: