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1971 HPE Muskin El Tigre MX

In America, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by Chris Cope1 Comment

Post Listing Update: This El Tigre did not get any action at the opening bid of $2,500. I had never heard of HPE Muskin until I saw this ad, but it turns out I’ve ridden one of their bikes. HPE Muskin was a California-based company that specialized in making swimming pools. But ─ because why not? ─ they also manufactured …

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1966 Simplex Sportsman Senior

In America, Small Displacement by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Fellow Americans, you don’t know how lucky you are. I live in England at the moment, and I’m aware that there’s a perception that motorcycling is more dynamic in the UK and Europe. That may be somewhat true in the variety of motorcycle types that get ridden here but I can assure you: American classified ads are way more fun.

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1971 Indian Boy Racer

In America, Off-Road, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: this Indian was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Back in the days when Floyd Clymer owned the Indian name, he dabbled with a few small motorcycles like the Papoose, Indian Boy Racer, MM-5 minibike or the MT series of dirtbikes. One option was the Super Scrambler, which was offered in red/white, blue/white, or yellow/black.

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1967 Yamaha YDS-5

In Japan, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Yamaha is an interesting company, isn’t it? It makes all kinds of things and tends to be pretty good at making those things, but doesn’t seem to be very good about keeping track of those things or effectively telling their stories. Here’s an example. Sitting next to me as I write this is a probably-1969 YSL-352S trombone. If you know …

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1952 Harley-Davidson S-125

In America, Small Displacement by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Dear bike sellers: please make sure you take good photos of your bike. The cluttered, portrait-framed images of this Harley-Davidson S-125, don’t do the bike justice. But the ad’s worth noting because this is one of the best-condition S-125s I’ve ever seen. Also known as the Model 125, or ─ more colloquially, but inaccurately, a Hummer ─ the S-125 was …

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1998 Honda NSR50

In Japan, Small Displacement, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The NSR50 was in Honda’s lineup for decades before they blessed the USA with a chance to officially try it for ourselves in 2004. Before that year, Americans had to either order one directly from HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) or try to import one through the gray market. It was well worth the effort, because Honda used components that made …