BMW’s partnership with Hans Muth – the man notably behind the Suzuki Katana – was a major factor in the release of the R100RS, which in turn led to the creation of the sport-touring segment. During these years, Muth had the chance to express his creativity on different boxer twins and to propose audacious designs for riders. While the major …
1961 Zweirad Union Victoria Type 115
Post Sale Update: This Tin Banana sold for $8,600 after 25 bids on eBay. In 1961, Zweirad Union released the Type 115/155 – the name was dependent on if you got the Victoria or DKW model. At the time, those two firms were 2/3rds of the Union, the other company was Express. Whether it was the DKW or Victoria, this …
1984 BMW R80ST
For two years, BMW created a street-focused variant of the R80GS. They only sold 5,963 examples of what was named the R80ST, and approximately 15% of them were exported to the US.
1980 Kawasaki KZ1000 MkII
Post Sale Update: This KZ sold for $16,300 after 23 bids on eBay…to reader Don P! An evolution of the KAZ900, the KZ1000 was the fastest production bike when it was released in 1976 (as a ’77 model) thanks to its 83 horsepower, 1,015cc inline four motor. The bike might be most famous for the police variant, which gained popularity …
1966 Triumph Thunderbird
Post Listing Update: This Thunderbird did not meet reserve despite 4 bids up to $3,100. Foreign manufacturers often have to tweak their models to make them more desirable to the massive American market. I can certainly speak for myself and at least a few other motorcyclists in saying that I would always be happier with “more.” The Triumph Thunderbird, or …
Early Honda Four-Stroke – 1953 Honda Dream Model 3E
Just prior to the dawn of the 1950s, Honda debuted its very first complete motorcycle. A year or two later, the company got cracking on the development of a new four-stroke engine. In the spring of ’51, Honda’s then director, Kiyoshi Kawashima, was tasked with developing the new 145cc mill. By July of that same year a prototype was completed …
Classic Hot Rod – 1969 BMW R60/2
Post Listing Update: This R60/2 did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $7,700. This probably should be called a R80/2, as it combines the classic style of a /2 with the “modern” features of a /6 and /7 drivetrain – 12V electrics with an electric starter, 5-speed transmission, and of course, more oomph.
No Reserve – 1975 Honda CB360T
Post Sale Update: After 35 bids on eBay, this CB360T sold for $2,050. Introduced in 1974, the CB360 was the twin-powered successor to Honda’s immensely popular CB350. The 360 was not as successful commercially, but this example seems to be a decently-preserved survivor that’s being offered with no reserve.
The Flying Brick – 1988 BMW K75S
Post Listing Update: This K75S did not get any interest at the opening bid of $3,500. At the end of the 70s, with the domination of 4-cylinder Japanese bikes, BMW had to find a way to attract new customers and renew itself. To that extent, the usual flat-twin has been put aside in order to create and develop a new …
1959 BMW R69
Post Sale Update: This R69 sold for $13,801.02 after 31 bids on eBay. These days, almost anyone can find a specific make and model listed for sale within minutes. What is significantly harder, and often takes weeks or months, is finding the right bike for you. Especially when it comes to classic bikes, the provided documentation can be the difference …
Rotary Engine – 1976 Suzuki RE-5
In 1919, young German engineer Felix Wankel started thinking about an engine that could be an alternative to the classic internal combustion engines. The engine would still work via internal combustion but instead of pistons and rods, Wankel thought about a simple rotor that would activate a shaft. Wankel got his first patent in 1929, and 28 years later (1957) …
SN #1 – 1998 Bimota Mantra DB3
Post Sale Update: This Mantra sold for $5,045 after 22 bids on eBay. 8-13-2018 Update: Four years later, Rob B notes that this example (VIN: ZES1DB314WR000001) is back up for sale with a new owner (and it’s crossed the country in the process). There’s some additional details – apparently the previous owner removed the “complicated fuel pump system” so the …
1982 Honda FT500 Ascot
Post Listing Update: This Ascot did not meet reserve despite 5 bids up to $1,202 on eBay. No matter the definition, a “thump” evokes something rather violent and loud. From that word came the name “thumper”, a term used to describe a single cylinder bike, typically displacing 350-500cc, a specialty of British manufacturers with bikes like the Norton Manx or …
Two-Fer – 1979 and 1980 Yamaha XS1100
During the end of the ’70s, motorcycle manufacturers fought to create the most motors possible. After the 750cc and 900cc barriers were toppled, the next symbolic step was 1,000cc. Just like they did with the CB750, Honda were the first to beat that record thanks to its 1975 GL1000. In 1977 and 1978, Kawasaki and Suzuki responded to that with …
1954 Matchless G80S
Post Sale Update: This G80S sold for $11,750 after 38 bids on Bring a Trailer in Nashville, Tennessee. In this day and age, there are many similarities we take for granted that allow us to hop on any bike from recent history and go cruising down to the coffee shop. Some people try to stand out with modifications or custom …