In the mid 1960’s America went mad for dirt motorcycles. Husky, Maico, Bultaco dominated the racing, but a huge market fraction was devoted to ‘Scrambler’ type motorcycles that could be licensed on the street but ridden on the dirt. Enter the Triumph T100 SC. Most of the competition was either a dirt racer with lights or a road bike with …
Ready for Baja – 2006 Honda CRF450X
Looks like somebody went nuts with the JCR Speed Shop catalog, leading to a bike that can conquer pretty much any race you’d ever want to tackle in the United States. Oh, and it’s street legal.
Dual Sport Conversion – 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n
Finding a ER-6n in the US is already difficult considering how poorly they sold. But if you really want to stand out, here’s one that’s been converted into a dual-sport. The builder’s goal was to make the bike look OEM, and he hasn’t done a bad job with it. Would you ride it?
Out of Slumber – 1968 Norton 750 Ranger
Back when desert racing was the sport of kings in the southwestern United States, Rob Blair (Norton’s California distributor) shoehorned a 750cc Atlas engine into a Matchless 85CS frame. When Norton found out about it, it became “Project 11”, which was dubbed P11 when Norton officially released it in 1967. A year later the model was slightly modified to become …
1970 BSA Firebird
Post Sale Update: After 15 bids on eBay, this Firebird sold for $5,000. The BSA Firebird was one of the best motorcycles from Birmingham Small Arms company, built just before the bike division went belly up in 1973. When the Firebird debuted in 1968, it was sold as a dual-sport, but models from 1970 on were ‘street scramblers’, which became …
Show Condition – 1978 Yamaha DT250
Post Sale Update: This DT sold for $5,302.02 after 41 bids on eBay. Claimed to be in outstanding show condition, this classic dual sport looks great in Brilliant Orange and Satin Black after the bodywork was repainted and the frame was refinished. Everything is said to work, and while the seller was planning on keeping this bike forever, his family …
Extra Special – 1968 BSA Victor Special Custom
In keeping with the recent trend in customized BSAs, here is another very “Special” BSA Victor Special. Your opinion may vary…
Ending Soon – Restored 1972 Yamaha RT2 360
Here’s a recently restored example of one of Yamaha’s iconic enduros – the RT2. Featuring the Autolube oil injection system and a 32 horsepower, 351cc engine, the RT2 was capable of covering pavement and dirt.
Restored – 1973 Honda SL70
Post Sale Update: After being relisted several times, this SL70 sold for a lowered BIN of $3,950. One of Honda’s many popular small displacement trail bikes of the 70s, the SL70 features a 72cc engine and a four-speed transmission. It was very successful with young riders who were learning how to ride dirt and motocross.
Easy Resto? 1972 Yamaha DT250
When Yamaha introduced the DT line in 1968 it was an absolute winner. Probably the first Japanese crossover bike aimed strictly at the dirt, the 1968 DT sold out before the model year was ended. By ‘72 Yamaha switched to reed valve induction which brought up the HP considerably. Yamaha also produced a motocross (MX) and enduro specific models in …
Red White and Blue – 1987 Honda XL600R
Post Sale Update: After 49 bids on eBay, this XL sold for $2,750. Honda’s XL/XR series has been the mount of choice for enduro riders for decades. Most have been adorned in the traditional Honda red, but here’s an example of my favorite paint scheme of the XL600R – a patriotic red, white, and blue.
No Reserve Flying Dragon – 1972 Honda CL350
Did you know that in 1972 and 1973, Honda embraced the tie dye movement with an optional set of paintwork called the Flying Dragon. It was available for the CL350 and CL450 – here’s one of the former.
Savage – 1973 Suzuki TS250
Post Listing Update: This TS250 did not get any interest at the asking price of $3,750. It was relisted at $3,250 and it suffered the same fate. Suzuki produced the Savage 250 from 1969 to 1981 and I missed it. I didn’t actually miss it, I ignored it. Completely. By 1974 I had bought a TM400 (the start of yellow …
1999 Harley-Davidson MT500
Editor’s Note: Earlier this week, I introduced you to Vipin Shri. Here’s his first feature for you to enjoy. I want to take a moment to thank him and the other contributors because their posts allow me some free time to create side projects like the Zero video for you, too!
Confused KLR – 2005/2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Supermoto
There’s a lot of custom KLRs out there – but typically when a KLR owner throws money at his or her bike, it’s to make it more dirt-friendly. This seller has gone in a slightly different direction, as he’s turned it into a fat-tired supermoto. To be frank, I’m not sure it makes sense…but it’s unique enough to share.