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1938 BMW R51 Racer

In Germany, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: After 27 bids on eBay, this R51 racer sold for $30,100. Then it was relisted and sold for $22,600. Built between 1938 and 1940, the R51 was BMW’s last sport bike before World War II commenced. It was an evolution from the R5 that gained telescopic front forks and a plunger rear suspension. 3,775 examples were produced with …

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1951 Ardie B251

In Germany, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

Ardie was founded in 1919 by Arno Dietrich, an ex-Premier technician, and they stayed in business until 1958. They enjoyed some racing success in the 20s and 30s, but this B251 was a 246cc tourer sold between 1951 and 1953.

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Ambitious Project – Over 35 Vintage Bikes in Pieces

In Germany, Japan, Off-Road, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Listing Update: This collection of bikes in pieces was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Someone in Vegas is divesting “his personal favorites from over 40 years in the business,” and there’s some very interesting options among over 35 old street and dirt bikes. Here’s your chance to start a classic motorcycle shop, or slowly lose your mind …

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M-Star – 1986 Maico 500 SuperCross

In Germany, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Maico did not meet reserve with 13 bids up to $2,380. After Maico’s disastrous results with the Corte & Cosso monoshock designs of their 1982 bikes, they quickly slid down the path to bankruptcy. The first of many unsuccessful attempts to bring Maico back to life was “M-Star”, and they offered 250 and 500 models that …

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1997 MZ Skorpion Sport Cup

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The MZ Skorpion was the result of an international partnership between a British design firm (Seymourpowell), an East German manufacturer (MZ), and a Japanese engine (Yamaha). Weighing just 380 pounds and packing 48 horsepower, this is a great option if you’re looking for a rare ~600cc sportbike – and this example is even better as it is one of the …

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“The Executive” – 2012 BMW K75 Custom

In Custom, Germany by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: This K75 Custom did not meet reserve with bidding up to $8,701. Larry and Carol Romestant of Romestant Engineering have been building flying brick customs for a few years now – Jay Leno featured some of his builds in a previous JLG segment, and one of them is now up for sale. Based on a BMW K75C, this …

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Speedbrain Rally Racer – BMW 450RR

In Dual-Sport, Germany, Race by Matt5 Comments

3-23-16 Update: Reader Kendall notes that this Speedbrain G450RR is still up for sale here on ADVRider (registration required) in El Paso, Texas, but now there’s better photos and the asking price is down to $18,995. Who feels like buying me an early Christmas present? The HP2 Sport, the R100RS Motorsport, and the R80G/S I recently featured were all produced …

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1973 DKW Hornet

In Germany, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the early 70s, DKW offered two versions of their 125cc “Moto-Cross” bike. One option featured a nifty Boge leading link front suspension (like in this previously featured example). The other utilized Betor telescopic forks with 6.75″ of travel. That’s what today’s bike is, and it was called the Hornet.

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Well-Optioned – 1961 BMW R69S

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This R69S sold for $17,500 after 42 bids on eBay. In the long, proud history of BMW, the R69S is one of the most iconic motorcycles ever built by the German manufacturer. In 1962, Cycle World said “it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride.”

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1966 Heinkel Tourist

In Germany, Scooter by AbhiLeave a Comment

Heinkel started as a German aircraft manufacturer that found themselves without a product after the Allies banned them from making planes after World War II. They moved on to bicycles, a microcar, and scooters like the Tourist to help Germans who couldn’t afford a car but needed personal transportation.

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1991 BMW R100 Classic

In Germany, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: Wow, the seller did himself a favor by removing the $4,990 BIN – this bike sold for $6,600 after 28 bids on eBay. Though BMW sold a similar bike called the R100R for a few years afterwards, the BMW R100 Classic is a rare oddity. Information is very scarce on this bike, as it seems just 180 were …