The Suzuki LS650 Savage is a simple, low-powered entry-level cruiser. A Los Angeles based company called Ryca saw a way to spice up the S40, with the Ryca 650 CS-1 kit. It takes a rather ugly semi-Sportster clone and turns it into a lithe cafe racer styled bike with some actual semblance of personality.
dB Customs Build – 1982 Suzuki Katana Restomod
View PostHonda NSR500 Replica with RD500 Engine
I wish I had more details on this, but it’s too good not to share. Someone’s built a NSR500 replica with a Honda RC51 frame and a Yamaha RD500cc 2-stroke engine, and it’s up for sale!
Electric Conversion – 2002 Honda XR50
A stock Honda XR50 makes about 3 horsepower and weighs 104 pounds – the seller of this example claims that it now makes 3x the power and weighs just 4 pounds more thanks to an electric drivetrain conversion. It’s currently set up “for maximum power and an irresistible fun time for all ages! The power will not disappoint!“
Sharkskinz History – 1998 Yamaha R1 with R7 Bodywork
Back in the days of Peak Sportbike, David Lee (the former owner of Sharkskinz) had his company build a set of bodywork to allow R1 owners to emulate the legendary R7 homologation special. The seller of this example says that he spoke to David, and he confirmed that “it’s one of either 50 or 75 kits sold.”
AMA Raffle – 1975 BMW R75/5 Custom
Every year, the AMA raffles off “off one or more historically significant motorcycles to raise money for the charity.” At the 2016 Mama Tried show in Milwaukee, they auctioned off this R75/5 which had been heavily customized by Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles. Analog calls it the “AMA BMW R75GS.”
Art Deco Custom – 2010 Piaggio MP3
When I first saw this, I thought it was Randy Grubb’s Deco Tri-Pod. Upon closer inspection, all I can tell you is that it’s not the Deco Tri-Pod – but the seller of this example unfortunately doesn’t give much information on it beyond saying that it has a handcrafted aluminum and copper body.
Cafe Custom – 1978 Yamaha SR500
Featuring an aluminum gas tank and seat cowl built by Evan Wilcox, this Yamaha SR500 looks the part and has a few more modifications to back up the style.
One-Off “Lady Blue” – 1973 Husqvarna 250
This Husqvarna’s got an interesting history – the seller claims it’s “possibly the rarest Husky ever” as it’s a one-off made by Edison Dye, the father of American motocross. It was apparently built as a gift to his wife Rita as a prototype for a more ‘female-friendly’ dirtbike, but nothing happened after after this one prototype.
“24K Gold Edition” – 1980 Kawasaki KZ1300
In a period review, Cycle World called Kawasaki’s KZ1300 “an incredible hulk”, saying “There are motorcycles with more speed, but not with the same combination of power, strength, comfort and handling…the sophistication is incredible, the size is enormous.” Displacement-wise, it was the biggest of the classic six-cylinder motors like the Benelli Sei and the Honda CBX. Like the competition, the …
XR650R Custom – 2013 Deus “Boodaak”
10-18-21 Update: Boodaak has found its way over to our auction site – find it with a bit more information and bidding up to $10,069 here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions! It’s not clear from this video, but it’s one of the loudest bikes I’ve encountered: Back in 2013/2014, Deus’ Michael “Woolie” Woolaway built a pair of café’d Honda super singles, …
Box39 Guido Electric Custom
Over on the auction site we’ve got one of the craziest custom electric bikes I’ve ever seen.
CR500-Powered – 2009 KTM 450
This bike combines a KTM 450 chassis with a Honda CR500 motor, and the seller states that it weighs 225 pounds and makes 70 horsepower at the wheel. Good lord. Plus it’s got a Florida title, because they’ll title anything! He says that “the bike feels flickable in the air yet solid on the ground. It’s the best of old …
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 …
2016 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Flat Tracker
Starting off with a Royal Enfield, the customizer of this flat tracker implemented custom bodywork and rear suspension to create something unique. But do you like it?