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Wabi-Sabi – 1976 Honda CB750K Custom Cafe Racer

In Cafe Racer, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, Wabi-Sabi sold for $7,001. The creation of Illinois-based Powder Monkees (not related to Wrenchmonkees), the Wabi-Sabi is a cafe racer “designed to celebrate the fusion of classic vintage styles, modern minimalism, and the natural beauty found within the imperfections of hand-crafted objects.” I see it as a good-looking (and very black) example of a custom …

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1997 Suzuki TL1000S

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Listing Update: This Suzuki TL1000S was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Back in the 70s, the Kawasaki H2 developed the reputation of a ‘widowmaker’ due to its’ incredible power and complete lack of handling. The Suzuki TL1000S also earned such a reputation when it was released in 1997, for slightly different reasons. This bike was introduced with …

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1986 Honda NS400R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This NS400R sold for $10,750 after 3 bids on eBay. Can you remember back to 1983? If so, you may remember Freddie Spencer winning the World Championship for Honda despite competing on a triple that was outclassed by the competition. Almost immediately, Honda released a 250cc bike to commemorate the win. A couple of years later, they …

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Black Beauty – 1978 Honda CT70

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Everyone knows the CT70 – not everyone knws that for just one year, it was available in black. Here’s one of those rarities in “perfect” shape. Everything works, it’s street legal, and it comes with the original tool kit. You have to love those 70s decals. Find this Honda CT70 for sale here on Craigslist in Dracut, MA for $2,500. …

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1989 Honda GB500

In Cafe Racer, Japan by Abhi2 Comments

Post-Listing Update: After being relisted, this GB500 did not meet reserve at $5,500. In the late 80s, Honda took a risk and gave the world a beautiful motorcycle inspired by 60s thumper racers of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race – bikes like the Manx Norton and AJS 7R. Originally created as a 400cc bike in Japan, the bike …

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Rothman’s Edition – 1994 Honda NSR250R SP MC28

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This NSR was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Honda’s NSR250R was sold from ’87 to ’99, and was pretty much the defining 250 racer replica over all those years. To celebrate Honda’s success in racing in the 250cc and 500cc classes, they would occasionally release a limited edition of the NSR in Rothman’s livery. …

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Motorcycling Gold – 1967 Honda CL160 Scrambler

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Alchemy was a medieval attempt at science that was all about the attempt to convert base metals into gold. That, presumably, is the inspiration behind Alchemy Motorcycles, a San Diego based firm that specializes in the restoration and customization of vintage motorcycles. Here they’ve worked their magic on a Honda CL160, a relatively rare bike that shared the engine from …

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1994 Honda VFR400R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This VFR got no interest at the BIN of $9,000. Just a few days ago, I featured one of the greatest 400cc sportbikes ever built – the Honda RVF400. Seems like a lot of you enjoyed that one, so here’s another example of the breed, though this one (VIN: NC301107468) offers two distinct features: it has plenty …

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1989 Kawasaki KR-1S

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the late 80’s, Kawi had some success with their KR250 road racer, and released the Kawasaki KR-1 as a wonderful little two-stroke race rep. It was quite successful, triggering increased competition from the big 4, and it set off a 250cc 2-stroke war among the Japanese – unfortunately us Americans didn’t get to enjoy these little demons. Well, 25 …

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1977 Seeley Honda CB750

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

I’ve featured a Colin Seeley bike before, but here’s as close as Seeley got to a ‘production’ bike. Certain estimates suggest that 300-500 were built, and they’re delightfully 70s. Unfortunately, there isn’t much information on this specific bike, but if you want more information on the general bike, check out this review from an unnamed source that’s been rehosted on …

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1969 Suzuki Stinger Custom

In Cafe Racer, Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Seeing this Suzuki Stinger for sale on eBay made me chuckle – when BikeEXIF featured it 5 months ago, I noticed a surge of traffic to a non-running Suzuki Stinger that I had previously featured (which sold for less than a grand). That says two things to me – first, BikeEXIF has a lot of clout, and second, not enough …

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The Baby RC45 – 1995 Honda RVF400 NC35

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This NC35 sold for $5,150 after 30 bids on eBay. The RC45 is a bike of legend, but it’s also out of the financial reach of most motorcycle enthusiasts. That’s why I’m excited to feature the RC45’s baby brother, the Honda RVF400 NC35. Only officially sold in Japan, grey market imports occasionally made it out the UK …

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1 of 500 Race Replica – 1989 Suzuki GSX-R750RR

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This GSX-R750RR sold for $22,000 after 47 bids on eBay. A limited run of 500 models, the Suzuki GSX-R750RR was a race replica, just like the Honda RC30. Changes were plentiful but the end goal from designer Takahiko Kawaguchi was to have a “straight out of the crate racer” that would be easier to tune by racing …

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1972 Honda CL100 Suitcase Cycle

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Listing Update: This Honda CL100 Suitcase Cycle did not get any bidders at $3,499. The 1974 Honda CL100 was a one-cylinder scrambler that with a 99cc engine that produced 11.5 horsepower. What makes this specific example so special is that it has been converted by a third party company to fit into a suitcase for easy transport on airplanes!

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1974 Kawasaki H1R Replica

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

A 500cc race bike built to compete in Grand Prix racing (the predecessor to MotoGP), the Kawasaki H1R was based on the H1 and was powered by a two-stroke inline triple. The bike debuted in the 1970 season where Kawi took second in the Constructors Championship. Here we’ve got a replica that was acquired from a private collection and the …