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Impressive Clone – 1971 Rupp Black Widow

In America, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Rupp Industries was based in Mansfield, Ohio, and for nearly 20 years they were able to compete with Honda and other Japanese manufacturers for a share of the lucrative mini bike market. Their top-of-the-line competition bike was the Black Widow, which was based on the Roadster/2. This example is also based on the Roadster, because it’s unfortunately only a replica.

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Austrian Two-Stroke – 1990 KTM 250 MX

In Austria, Less than 5k, Off-Road by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

In the 1990’s, KTM’s MX machines were routinely winning magazine shootouts, and though they weren’t without flaws the Austrian brappers were thought of as solid bikes. The dawn of the ’90’s would see the “Ready To Race” brand release a highly updated version of its quarter-liter MXer. The 1990 KTM 250 MX boasted ample smooth and tractable low-to-mid range power, …

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Street Scrambler Elsinore Tribute – 1985 Honda VF500 Custom

In Custom, Dual-Sport, Japan, Less than 5k by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

What we have here is an ’85 Honda VF500 V30 Magna-based, 500 Interceptor-powered Street Scrambler build. This example – which was built as a 1973 Honda CR250 Elsinore tribute – very much looks the part of your typical scrambler while boasting performance closer to that of a mid-’80’s sport bike. The V4-powered sled has received a lot of work and …

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1984 Zundapp KS80 Super

In Germany, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update – This Zundapp has been relisted several times – the latest at a cheaper price of $4,200, but it has not been sold. Also known as the Model 537, the KS80 was available in three variants: the Super, the Sport, and a super rare (just 2 produced) Super Sport. The Super was the first version, and approximately …

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Mono-Body “Midi-Bike” – 1970 Muskin El Gato

In America, Less than 5k, Off-Road by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

The Muskin El Gato is one funky little scoot. Muskin Corp was aiming to nab a piece of the then-increasingly lucrative small-displacement trail bike market. The company’s strategy was to create a truly unique machine that would stand out from the crowd of other mini offerings and regardless of Muskin’s success, it’s hard to deny the efficacy of said strategy. …