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1971 OSSA Pioneer 250

In Off-Road, Spain by Abhi3 Comments

Here’s a classic OSSA Pioneer with all kinds of new parts: the grips, seat cover, air filter, fork seals, front fender, and even the paint. The frame has been powder coated and it comes with the factory tool kit – the seller goes as far as to say that the bike is “museum quality”. In that case, here’s your chance …

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1980 Kramer 400

In Germany, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: Despite 23 bids up to $3,050 on eBay, this Kramer did not meet reserve. I always love featuring motorcycles I’ve never heard of before – I get to learn and share at the same time. Here’s another opportunity for me to learn, with the Kramer 400. Adolph Kramer was a dirt bike tuner and builder extraordinaire who …

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1973 Penton Hare Scrambler 250

In America, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

John Penton and KTM are well tied into each other – going back to 1968 when Penton funded KTM’s research to build some prototype bikes. Thous prototypes eventually became 100cc Berkshires which started KTM’s success in the US. In 1973, the Penton Hare Scrambler was introduced as a bigger, better variant.

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Rathmell Rep – 1976 Montesa Cota 348

In Off-Road, Spain by Abhi1 Comment

Malcolm Rathmell was a champion trials rider who rode a prototype Montesa Cota 348 in the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1975 – he placed second. During his career, he won the British Trails Championship six times in a ten year period, as well as the World Championship in 1974. He went on to start a mail order business in …

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Dinosaur Racing – 1966 Cheney Triumph

In England, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Cheney Triumph did not meet reserve despite 17 bids up to $5,365. One of the most challenging races in any discipline was the International Six Days Trial (ISDT – now known as the ISDE). An annual test of rider, machine, and durability, the ISDT is also known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.” In 1968, ISDT changed …

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1971 Maico 501

In Germany, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Listing Update: This Maico 501 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. One of the most sought-after vintage MX bikes of all time, the Maico 501 was released in 1971 and dropped jaws just because of the displacement. At the time, it was the biggest two-stroke speed junkies could buy.

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2014 Rokon Trailbreaker

In America, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

Founded about 50 years ago, Rokon has become synonymous with two-wheel-drive motorcycles that are able to go anywhere. Initially designed as a motorcycle/tractor, the Trailbreaker lives up to its name with incredibly low gearing that enables riders to climb up steep hills balancing at just 0.5 miles per hour.

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1967 Cheney Triumph

In England, Off-Road by Abhi3 Comments

One of the most challenging races in any discipline was the International Six Days Trial (ISDT – now known as the ISDE). An annual test of rider, machine, and durability, the ISDT is also known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.” In 1968, ISDT changed up the rules to state that a rider had to use a machine of their own …

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1996 Gas Gas Pampera 370 Enduro

In Off-Road, Spain by AbhiLeave a Comment

Gas Gas is a Spanish manufacturer of primarily off-road motorcycles, especially their trials bikes. Here’s a hard-to-find example of one of their models, the Gas Gas Pampera 370. Unfortunately, there’s not much information available about this model, unless you speak Spanish. It’s a water-cooled, 237 cc single-cylinder engine that has to motivate a bike that weighs just 187 pounds. This …

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Brand New – 1978 Harley-Davidson MX250

In America, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

7-27 Update: The seller did not get any offers close to his $18,000 asking price the last time around, so this Harley-Davidson MX250 is back up for sale with bidding up to $14,000 here on eBay. In the late 70s, Harley was in a phase of small-displacement bikes while under the control of AMF. They decided to dabble in the …

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1967 Triumph Rickman Metisse

In England, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

After Thursday’s street-based Rickman Velocette, reader Steve F. shares what most people associate with the company- a Rickman Metisse. These popular bikes utilized a Rickman frame with (in this case), a Triumph engine. Just like a dog with no discernible breed, this bike was a mongrel of sorts – so they used the french translation (Metisse) to name it.

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1983 SWM 440GS

In Italy, Off-Road, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Ever heard of the motorcycle company SWM? Well, I hadn’t, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce you if you were in the same boat as me. Founded in 1971 by two Italians, the company built several off-roaders around engines from Sachs and Rotax (the latter was utilized after 1977). In fact, one of SWM’s bikes …