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Boxer Mashup: A BMW /6-Swapped Sidecar Rig

In 3 Wheels, Custom, Germany by Gray Van DykeLeave a Comment

With their broad power bands, smooth torque delivery, and unfailing reliability, boxer engines have long been a natural first choice for sidecar platforms. BMW’s start with three-wheeled rigs was during the second World War, and, Ural – their Russian counterpart – is one of the few marques that still offers them fitted from the factory.

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Street Tracker – 1980 Yamaha SR500

In Custom, Japan by Gray Van DykeLeave a Comment

Thanks to a combination of light weight and a torquey, simple motor, Yamaha SR500s are popular fodder for custom builders. The 499cc single is a call back to the legendary thumpers from BSA, Matchless, Velocette, Norton, and Triumph, and the bike’s svelte curb weight makes for big fun factor despite its humble top speed. (We’ve actually featured quite a few …

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2000 Honda Superhawk Track Bike

In Custom, Japan, Race by Gray Van DykeLeave a Comment

Honda first introduced the VTR1000F (known as the Superhawk in the US, and as the Firestorm around the rest of the world) in 1997 in an effort to challenge Ducati’s sportbike dominance. The model was intended to combine the soulful performance of a big V-twin with the trusted reliability of Japanese manufacturing.

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GS Conversion – 1984 BMW R80ST

In Custom, Dual-Sport, Germany by AbhiLeave a Comment

For two years, BMW created a street-focused variant of the R80GS. They only sold 5,963 examples of what was named the R80ST, and approximately 15% of them were exported to the US. Changes to the ST compared to the GS included less travel in the suspension, a 19″ front wheel and a total weight of 396 pounds. The engine produced …

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100 Helmet Collection

In Custom by AbhiLeave a Comment

Someone’s offering up an interesting collection of helmets on eBay – some are very cool, some not so much, but they’re all being sold as one lot so you can’t pick and choose the ones you want.

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Revival-Built 2007 Buell XB12X Custom

In America, Custom, Off-Road by Gray Van DykeLeave a Comment

Back in the early oughts — long before Harley had even begun development of the Pan America — Buell dove headfirst into the ADV market with the Ulysses XB12X. Between the sportbike-like handling, the in-frame fuel reservoir, and the large, floating front rotor, it was undeniably forward-thinking for its time. Admittedly, however, its reception was pretty mixed; the styling was …

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1974 Gus Kuhn Seeley Norton Commando 850

In Custom, England, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

After a successful career in trials, scrambles, and TT racing, Gus Kuhn founded a dealership with his namesake in 1932. His wife fell ill in the 40s, and he took a back seat and let Vincent Davey start taking over the reins. When Norton released the Commando in ’68, Vincent thought it’d be a great model to start a race …

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1961 Harley-Davidson Servicar Custom

In 3 Wheels, America, Custom by AbhiLeave a Comment

Produced for nearly 40 years, the Servicar was a three-wheeler HD produced in an attempt to further expand their target customer base during the Great Depression. One of their selected targets was automotive mechanics, so this bike was designed to allow mechanics put their tools in the rear storage box to make house calls. It also had a tow hitch, …

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Camera Platform – 1995 Honda CB1000 With Sidecar

In 3 Wheels, Custom by AbhiLeave a Comment

Built with a 1995 Honda CB1000 (also known as the “Big One”) and a 1996 Mighty Mover 2 axle trailer, this is an interesting sidecar that’s been built specifically for filming tracking shots. The seller states that it has been used in “numerous commercials, film, and television productions” – I’m not sure what a non-industry rider would do with it, …

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1983 Triumph TSX

In Custom, England by AbhiLeave a Comment

A last ditch effort from Triumph to boost sales of the Bonneville, the TSX was basically a T140 that had been restyled by Triumph’s American division. Just 371 were built, 200 of which were exported to the United States. About 1/3 of the production run was in Midnight Black, the rest were like this example – Gypsy Red.