The Norton 850 Commando was one of the most popular motorcycles ever made. For 5 straight years it was “Machine of the Year” in the UK, and even Norton themselves were surprised as the success as the engine was a pre-unit design. This was because money was very tight at the time for Norton, so they instead focused on chassis …
2000 Qpod Secma
Post-Listing Update – After being relisted, this Qpod Secma got no bidding at $1,000. Here’s something you don’t see everyday – a Qpod Secma.
1948 Sunbeam S7
After WWII, as part of reparations, BMW gave up its designs of the BMW R75. Bikes like Chang Jiang and Ural used these designs, but England’s take was the Sunbeam S7. You can see the BMW influence when you look at a side profile, but Sunbeam wanted to differentiate themselves by utilizing a inline vertical twin instead of the German …
Street Scrambler – 1971 Norton Commando SS
Post-Sale Update: Unfortunately, this Norton Commando SS was pulled from eBay. Final sale price unknown. Today, we feature a bike that we didn’t even know existed – the Norton Commando SS. Considering the history of Norton bikes, you’d be excused for assuming that SS stands for Super Sport, and that this might be one of a limited number of factory …
Desert Sled – 1967 Norton N15CS
Post-Listing Update: This Norton N15CS Desert Racer was pulled off of eBay after bidding hit $4,494.44, but the final sale price is unknown. After Norton moved production to Plumstead in the early 60s, they had a few leftover engines from the less-than-popular Atlas line. They threw those engines into Matchless frames to create a series of hybrids under the Norton, …
1967 BSA Lightning
Post Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this BSA Lightning did not meet reserve at $6,001. It was then relisted and again did not meet reserve, this time at $6,991. The BSA Lightning was the British firm’s attempt at an all-around streetbike, slotting between the Spitfire and Thunderbolt. At the time, it was one of the fastest motorcycles available …
1935 Ariel VG 500 Deluxe
11-27 Update: Well, that was quick. Just a few hours after we posted this Ariel VG 500, it sold for an unknown best offer on eBay. Ariel was a British manufacturer that was well known for innovation, especially due to the Square Four. The company had an interesting history – after producing its first bike in 1902, it closed for …
1971 BSA Rocket 3
Post-Sale Update: After 11 bids on eBay, this BSA Rocket 3 did not meet reserve at $16,600. Sharing its roots with the Triumph Trident, the BSA Rocket 3 was a 750cc triple that was designed to extend the model line beyond 650 twins. It was specifically built for the US market, which wanted larger displacements and less vibrations. BSA’s financials …
1968 Seeley 7R
Post-Listing Update: This Seeley 7R Racer was pulled off of eBay, final sales price unknown. Colin Seeley is a former sidecar racer who became famous as a motorcycle designer. Some of his most notable work came right after he retired from sidecar racing competition, where he built frames for racing motorcycles utilizing Matchless and AJS engines. At the time, AJS …
What a Story – 197x Tony Foale Honda CB750
6-28 Update: Year of bike in title changed to reflect Tony’s comment. Post-Listing Update: Unfortunately, this bike only got one bid and did not meet reserve at the opening bid of $10,000. I can’t believe there wasn’t more action on this bike. We love listings like this – a rare bike, an interesting back story, and great pictures. Just sit …
1972 BSA Thunderbolt
BSA is probably best known for their Lightning, but they also had a touring complement known as the BSA Thunderbolt. Produced from 1964-1972, the bike had two major updates through its’ life. In our eyes, the designs got uglier over time – culminating in the bike we feature today.
34th Annual Hansen Dam All British Ride
Every year, the Southern California Norton Owner’s Club hosts a wonderful get together at Hansen Dam. The combined show and ride features decades of classic British iron – and you’re bound to see great bikes from other marques, new and old. We got an invite from a local BMW mechanic friend and couldn’t say no. As you’ve come to expect …
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 …
1974 John Player Norton Commando 850
Post-Sale Update: After 8 bids on eBay, this John Player Norton Commando 850 sold for $12,625.53. The Norton Commando was a bike that spawned many variants just based on cosmetic differences. The most collectible of these models was the John Player Norton Commando, a distinctive endurance-inspired Norton with unique bodywork surrounding a completely stock Mark 2A Commando. We’ve never thought …
1974 Rickman Zundapp 125 ISDT
Established in 1960, Rickman motorcycles initially supplied frame kits built for many British bikes, as companies would not sell engines to them. At the start of the 70s, Rickman got access to engines from all around the world, and started exporting several small-displacement motocross bikes, many to the United States. Ranging from 100cc to 250cc in displacement, today we look …