During the 60s and 70s, Yamaha offered racing versions of its street bikes for use by privateers and even Yamaha factory racers. The classic R5 provided the base for the Yamaha TR3, a David among goliaths that was the first 2-stroke (and smallest bike at the time) to ever win the Daytona 200.
1953 BMW R67/2 Sidecar Racer
The first postwar 600cc BMW, the R67 was produced for one year before the R67/2 was sold between ’52 and ’54. 4,226 units were sold before BMW moved to the /3, but this specific /2 has been converted into a very cool sidecar racer.
Championship Winner – 1999 Honda CBR600F4 Racer
During a quest to find a good RC51 to feature, I instead stumbled upon this Honda CBR600F4 racer and thought it was worth sharing because you can get a hell of a bike for your money. A former AMA race bike, this CBR spent the last few seasons with the current owner winning the Clubman Lightweight Championship and placing second …
1920 Harley-Davidson JD Racer
Post-Sale Update: This Harley-Davidson JD Racer sold for $17,100 on eBay. By 1920, HD was the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer – with dealerships in 67 countries. One of their featured bikes at the time was the 1000cc Harley-Davidson JD, which became the first motorcycle to ever win a race with an average speed of over 100 mph in 1921, on …
1994 Harley-Davidson VR1000
Back in 1988, Harley decided to try their hand at knocking off Ducati from their perch atop AMA Superbike. Unfortunately, what would have been top notch technology when the bike was supposed to have been released (in 1991) was well behind the curve when it actually started racing (in 1994). Homologation requirements resulted in the Harley-Davidson VR1000, of which only …
1975 Maico MC440 GP
Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Maico MC440 GP sold for $5,050. I’ve been having a recent surge in readers interested in Maico’s, so here’s one for you nuts. The Maico MC440 GP is one of the greatest vintage MX motorcycles ever built – and this is an almost mint, nearly all-original example. You’ll get plenty of goodies …
1970 Triumph Lyster LaBelle Racer
Two straight days with older Triumph racers! This one is a rare Triumph Lyster LaBelle Racer, named after the two gentlemen who were instrumental in its creation – Colin Lyster, a well-known frame designer of racing motorcycle frames, and Ed LaBelle, a former Canadian National Champion roadracer.
Production Racer – 1938 DKW SS 250
Post-Listing Update: Despite 20 bids on eBay topping out at $72,655, this DKW SS 250 failed to meet reserve. One of the most famous reverse-cylinder motorcycles of all time, the DKW SS 250 featured a “split-single” or “twingle” engine which had two pistons driven by a split con-rod. DKW used this technology in several bikes up to 500cc, but none …
1958 Triumph Tiger T100 Racer
About a week ago, I featured a Triumph Tiger T90 from nearly 70 years ago. Let’s fast forward a couple of decades, to the Tiger T100. Here’s a ’58 model that was converted into a racer about 20 years ago.
1974 Harley-Davidson RR350
Post-Listing Update: This Harley-Davidson RR350 was pulled from eBay, final sale price unknown. Built during the days when Harley owned Aermacchi, only 26 (or 37? I couldn’t pinpoint an exact number) of the Harley-Davidson RR350s were built – who knows how many are left. Most importantly, this is the only Harley that has ever won a Grand Prix event.
Video Intermission: Romaniacs Slo-Mo Suspension Study
It’s back to Red Bull Romaniacs for this entertaining video of motorcross bikes getting pushed to the limits of suspension travel throughout the challenging course: Sit back and enjoy – and if you’re a fan of AWOLNATION, you might as well turn the volume up, too!
ToyoHog: 2008 Toyota Prius Harley-Davidson
Post Listing Update: This disgusting contraption did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $2,175 on eBay. Okay, so…it’s not a motorcycle. But I just had to feature this. A Toyota Prius that was hacked up and gloriously given a Harley-Davidson engine for competition in Lemons is now available to cause you untold amounts of miseryjoy. May this be …
1947 Norton Manx
The Norton Manx was a racing bike built for a whopping 15 years built in long stroke and short stroke variants. The Manx has a long, complicated history, but in recent times there has been a resurgence in its popularity for classic motorcycle racing, leading to aftermarket firms specializing in service and parts supply for these classics. If you know …
1974 Ducati 750SS
Post-Listing Update: Despite 18 bids up to $24,600, this Ducati 750SS did not meet reserve on eBay. The Ducati 750SS (or Super Sport) is one of the most iconic motorcycles of the 70s, if not all time. Just 401 of the first year models were built, somewhat as a tribute to Ducati’s win at Imola in 197. It was the …
1974 Yamaha TA125 Road Racer
Post-Listing Update: After 28 bids on eBay, this Yamaha TA125 Road Racer did not meet reserve at $9,543. Based on the AS-3 road bike, the Yamaha TA125 was a tiny twin released in early 1974. Production lasted less than a year, marking the end of Yamaha’s air-cooled 2-stroke production racers, and beginning a 5 year wait before Yamaha would sell …