Post-Listing Update: This Z50 did not meet reserve despite 32 bids up to $1,775. The Christmas Special is also known as the “Chrome Edition”, as everything (even the frame) is chromed. It seems that the model name was actually Z50RD, where the D stands for Dealer. Top Honda retailers got 2 of these to sell in 1986 in the month …
1969 Suzuki AS50
The Suzuki AS50 was a tiddler with an interesting flat-bottom headlight. When reviewed by Motorcycle Mechanics, the tester got an impressive 114 miles per gallon!
1968 Sears Puch Sabre
Post Sale Update: After 35 bid son eBay, this Sabre sold for $3,150…to a Bike-urious reader! Manufactured for Sears by Puch, the Puch Sabre is technically a motorcycle, though it was marketed as a moped. This European beauty features one of the more interesting-looking engines I’ve ever seen.
800 Miles – 1989 Honda NX125
The Honda NX125 was the smallest of the NX’s, which were only imported for a few years. The combination of XR-roots with a slightly more street friendly composition made it an excellent all-rounder. Offered in the states in 125, 250, and 650cc versions, the NX650 was by far the most popular in the US.
1971 Honda CB100
I love little bikes, and I love original survivors. That’s why you’re now reading about a Honda CB100 that has just 3,593 miles which was apparently traded into the seller’s shop by a rider who did not think his grandchildren would appreciate it. Ouch. Find this Honda CB100 for sale in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with bidding up to $1,805 …
1990 Yamaha YSR50
The Yamaha YSR50 was the most common of the rare 50cc sportbikes that came from Japan in the late 80s and early 90s. An instant classic, the YSR50 was always street legal, but is now primarily used in spec racing. This is one of the nicer examples I’ve seen – most are usually scratched up or rocking replacement body panels.
1950 Miele K21
I’ve never heard of this bike before, and I haven’t been able to find much information on it – so experts, please chime in! This is a K21 model from Miele, currently a German manufacturer of domestic appliances. But between 1924 and 1960, they produced bicycles and motorcycles in their plant in Bielefeld.
1959 Csepel Danuvia
The Csepel Danuvia was fairly popular in its home country of Hungary, but only an estimated 200 made it to the US as official exports in the early 70s.
1957 Ducati 125 Turismo
The Ducati 125 Turismo (also known as the 125T) was one of the Italian firm’s most successful bikes. In fact, they sold 10,767 copies of this bike (and it’s upmarket sibling, the Turismo Veloce) in the debut year of 1956, yielding a 3.5% market share, something Ducati wouldn’t attain again until 1992.
3 Little Italians
Someone seems to be parting out their collection, and is offering a bundle of three little Italians. Read on to get more details on each one.
1998 Cagiva Mito 125
Post Listing Update: This Mito did not meet reserve despite 14 bids up to $3,250 on eBay. Ever wanted the looks of Ducati’s beautiful 916 but with a much, much tinier engine? Here’s your chance, thanks to the rare-in-the-US Cagiva Mito 125.
Plated 50cc – 2003 Aprilia RS50
The Aprilia RS50 is pretty much as good as it gets with 50cc “supersports”. The styling has always aped the styling of its liter-bike bigger brother, but the proportions can look a bit off because of that: Still, the 49cc two-stroke engine is powerful enough to get the bike up to about 65 mph once it’s been derestricted, and today …
The First Ducati – 1949 Ducati Cucciolo
The first motorcycle model ever released by the Italian firm, the Ducati Cucciolo was introduced in March 1946 out of the Borgo Panigale factory. One year later they were winning races with Glauco Zitelli at the helm, and a year after that the Cucciolo was being imported into the US.
Mini Chopper – 1986 Laverda CU 125 Custom Ride
Normally the Laverda marque evokes thoughts of big triples with excellent style and exhaust notes. This is why I was especially stunned to discover this diminutive chopper – the Laverda CU 125 Custom Ride.
1938 NSU 125 ZDB
Post-Listing Update: This NSU did not meet reserve at $2,026. A rare bike even in Germany, the NSU 125 ZDB was typically used by the upper middle class as a commuter. Here’s an example that’s been given a second lease on life – check out the pre-restoration photo below!