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!
1964 Van Tech Scrambler
The Van Tech Scrambler was Van Tech’s first bike. Using a McCulloch kart engine (evolved from a chainsaw engine), it was designed to be a tiny race bike.
1969 Honda Z50 with Sidecar
Here’s a great setup for two reasons – first, it’s a second-generation Z50 from the first year of production. But more importantly this tiny bike is carrying a sidecar that’s bigger than the bike is!
1971 Speedway Widowmaker
The Speedway Widowmaker has one of the greatest names ever affixed to a motorcycle. It also doesn’t sound like something you’d want to buy your kid who was learning on a tiny 80cc two-stroke.
Chappy – 1977 Yamaha LB80IIAD
Also known as the “Chappy”, here’s a cute little step-through scooter that’s in excellent condition. As you’d probably guessed, it was released to compete with Honda’s tiny trail bikes – the most common options were the LB 50 and this LB80, the latter of which features a 82cc engine and a 2-speed, 2-stage transmission. The LB80 is capable of about …
1971 Benelli Dynamo
11-21 Update: Reader Jim R. notes that this Benelli Dynamo is back up for sale on $1,500 here on Craigslist in Portland, Oregon. Apparently, Benelli made a tiny dual-sport called the Dynamo. Here’s your change to get one in decent shape and have little off-road races with Honda CT70s.
Tiny Racer – 1989 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.
Reader Ride – 1st Edition 1965 Ducati 160 Monza Junior
I’ve always thought the Ducati 160 Monza Junior was a little bizarre – it was oddly blocky and squared off. Granted, I appreciate when companies try something different, but I’m still on the fence about how attractive the bike was. Thanks to this reader submission, however, I learned that the first ‘edition’ of the Monza actually featured some rounder bodywork. …
Bike Review – Honda Grom
The Honda Grom has become quite the internet sensation – I feel like I’ve seen a tremendous amount of press on it, and owners are a passionate group who have created a loyal community (and amusing internet memes):
1997 Harley-Davidson Velo Glide Ultra
I was really on the fence about featuring this because I obviously try to keep my posts limited to motorcycles. I’m going to pretend this is close enough, and maybe one of my Harley-loving readers will want to snap up this very expensive bicycle.