I’ve featured a couple of Bandit9’s builds in the past – I even shared the Bishop when it was announced back in September of 2014. But the biggest problem for riders like me is the cost of shipping from Vietnam (though I believe they’ve since moved to China). But if you’re England, someone has taken care of the shipping problem …
2 Miles – 1958 Capriolo TV 75
Capriolo started producing motorcycles in 1948 in a small town in Northern Italy. They lasted until 1964, at which point Laverda bought them up. Though the company is not well known anymore, this TV 75cc was a high-quality runabout powered by a four-stroke, overhead cam engine with a high compression ratio with Aprilia electrics to round things up.
Unexpected Trike -1972 Honda Mini Trail 50
Post-Listing Update: This Mini Trail Trike did not meet reserve with bidding up to $5,200 after 46 bids. For the finale of this season of Fast n Loud (which chronicles the story of Gas Monkey Garage, three employees at the shop were given a bike and $1,000 to fix it up for an internal bike build off for charity. The …
Little Racer – 2009 Honda RS125 GP
Post Listing Update: This RS125R was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Honda sold the RS125 for decades, and from the beginning it was an excellent privateer race bike from the factory. Looking to learn how to race while dealing with a two-stroke powerband? Look no further.
1953 Göricke Gö 100 S
Based out of Bielefeld, Germany, Göricke was founded as a bicycle manufacturer in 1874. They started producing motorcycles in 1903 and were acquired by Panther in 1964. Between those years they produced a variety of motorcycles, including this Gö 100 S, which is powered by a Sachs motor.
Christmas Special – 1986 Honda Z50
Considered by some as the ultimate Honda Z50, the “Christmas Special” was a limited edition – you can probably guess what time of year it was released. Honda gave two examples to each of their top dealers, though they typically called it the “Chrome Edition” seeing as nearly every part on the bike (even the frame!) was chromed. This example …
Guzzino – 1950 Moto Guzzi Motoleggera
2-8 Update: I featured this bike only a month ago, but it’s back up for sale and with bidding just $350 shy of the BIN price, I expect this Guzzino will be selling in the next day or two. Thanks to Rob B for bringing it back to my attention. Find this little Guzzi for sale with bidding up to …
Needs Some Work – 1979 Chrysler Snorunner
Post Sale Update: This Snorunner sold for $1,065 after 25 bids on eBay. The Chrysler Snorunner has an interesting history, though there isn’t 100% consensus on the origin story. Some people claim that Chrysler built them for the Army, which was looking for light weight snow transport that could carry a soldier for 30 miles. Unfortunately, the finished vehicle was …
2013 Janus Halycon 50
Post-Listing Update: This Janus did not meet reserve with 28 bids up to $2,376. The last time I featured a Janus Halycon, the manufacturer was only making a 50cc version. They’re now taking deposits on a 250cc variant (and another model with different styling), but if you want an example of this interesting styling right now, you’ll have to snag …
Honda’s Mini Sports – 1982 MB5
Mr. Honda was never a fan of the two-stroke concept. Nor was he blind to effective marketing, and by the late seventies the emerging market for lightweight sporty motorbikes couldn’t be ignored. In many countries laws limiting engine size for young riders meant a big market for 50cc machines.
Gilera 124 5V
1-26-16 Update: 7 months later, this Gilera is back up for sale with a thousand dollar discount. Find it for sale with a BIN of $2,500 or best offer here on eBay. Acquired 10 years ago in non-running condition, this Gilera 124 apparently had an electrical short which started a fire in the headlight bucket. In addition, the engine was …
Needs Some Work – 1970 Moto Beta Premier Bebe 50
Moto Beta was almost 50 years old when they expanded from bicycles into motorcycles. They’re probably best known for their trials bikes of the 90s – Dougie Lampkin won the World Championship in ’97, ’98, and ’99 with the marque. In the 70s, some Moto Betas were imported to the US under the Premier name, like the little off-roader you …
1973 Yamaha RD/Redline 100 Road Racer
Here’s Justin’s first feature, about a rare Redline-framed RD100!
Gi Fly Folding Bicycle
Wait. Don’t quit on me yet. It’s not a real bicycle, it has a motor and a belt drive. Makes it a motorcycle in my book!
1937 DKW RT100
Just another rare bike from a once large manufacturer? No particular significance? Not exactly.