For the 1987 model year, Honda added some dragster style to the Magna to compensate for the slight displacement reduction due to the ’83 motorcycle tariff (which expired in 1988). In other markets, this generation of the Magna was offered with a 750cc engine, but Americans got a 700cc motor. I’ve featured a couple of these before and both times …
Police Restoration – 1970 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
Oriignally purchased from Barnes Harley-Davidson in Tampa, Florida, this shovelhead police bike is claimed to have served as a Florida Sheriff’s vehicle and it’s now been restored to its former service glory.
Press Release – 2025 Indian Scout
I just featured an old-school 101 Scout and I’m intrigued to hear that Indian is bringing back the model (along with 4 others!) as part of the all-new Scout lineup for 2025.
In Crate – 2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 100th Anniversary
In 2003, Harley-Davidson had 28 different models in their lineup. That year was H-D’s 100th Anniversary, and they celebrated with special variants of their most popular models, adorning them in Sterling Silver and Vivid Black as well as “100” branding all over the bike. Here’s an example of the 883 Sportster which has never left the factory crate.
6 Miles – 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR
When it was released, the Harley-Davidson XLCR (CR stood for Cafe Racer) was supposed to be an instant success powered by Harley’s most powerful production engine to date. It was a jet black departure from HD’s usual chrome fare. It didn’t sell well at all – now it’s a cult classic.
Still In Crate – 1988 Yamaha Route 66
2-19-23 Update: 14 months later, this Yamaha is back up for sale on eBay (though it’s crossed the country and is now in California) with an opening bid of $4,100. As dnaj points out in the comments, this doesn’t look like a factory crate that Yamaha would have used, but it’s still an interesting find and I’m curious to see …
Small Block Steed: 1996 Boss Hoss
For some motorcyclists, it’s the efficiency of two-wheeled transport. For others, it’s the dynamic feeling of linking turns. And then there are those who prefer power to practicality and engine noise to overall comfort… It’s this lattermost group who created a niche for the beast you see before you — a 1996 Boss Hoss — to thrive in.
Italian Police – 1970 Moto Guzzi V7
By 1970, Moto Guzzi was offering four different variants of the V7 – the Sport, Special, Ambassador, and a Police bike. The Police platform had a bit of success in the US, but it was much more popular in Europe. This is claimed to be an Italian “Polizia Stradale” V7 that’s been restored to concourse level.
Original Police Paint – 1953 Harley-Davidson FL
The seller of this bike is seriously lacking details in the listing, but this Panhead is claimed to be a California Highway Patrol bike that’s still got the original paint. This example (VIN: 53FL3547) shows 51,000 miles on the odometer and the seller makes no claim as to if it runs, simply asking you to contact him if he’s interested …
855 Miles – 2002 Yamaha V-Max
The name told you all you need to know: when the V-Max debuted in 1985, it was a cruiser dedicated to speed. Reviewers and consumers responded positively – it instantly won Cycle Guide’s “Bike of the Year” award and it barely had any changes for the next 22 years. It was arguably the definitive muscle bike.
1 Mile -1994 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King
Harley-Davidson introduced the Road King in 1994 as a replacement for the Electra Glide Sport. Here’s a first year example that spent the first 23 years of its life at a Harley dealership before the current seller brought it home four years ago and took it out of the crate.
2016 Indian Scout
My moto-journalist buddy Justin Westbrook is selling his Indian Scout – he bought it after falling in love with one during a cross-country ride for a series in Motorcyclist magazine, but he’s been spending more time in the dirt as of late so this Scout needs a new home.
In Canada – 2009 Yamaha MT-01
Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary, Alberta is selling off their collection of motorcycles (including the DR800 we recently shared), and one of the more interesting finds is a Yamaha MT-01 – the original “Master of Torque.” The MT-01 was never officially sold in the US. But other lucky markets were able to buy it between 2005 and 2012, and it was …
Flathead V8 Power – Honest Charley
Want 8 cylinder power in a cruiser but think that Boss Hoss bikes are ostentatious and ridiculous? Check out this Honest Charley-branded bike, which features a 60 horsepower Ford flathead! Honest Charley was one of the original speed shops – older readers may remember seeing ads for hop-up Ford parts half a century ago. According to some comments over at …
Road Service Custom – 1973 Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorado
I occasionally feature Eldorado Police bikes, but this one’s a bit different – it’s a one-off “Emergency Road Service Vehicle” that the seller calls a “Workman Edition” as it’s equipped with “a push bar, tow hitch, oil and gas cans, jumper cables, siren, air horns, back p warning system, and whatever else I could think of.” So the question is, …