By 1920, HD was the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer – with dealerships in 67 countries. One of their featured bikes at the time was the 1000cc Harley-Davidson JD, which became the first motorcycle to ever win a race with an average speed of over 100 mph in 1921, on a board track in Fresno, California.
1920 Harley-Davidson JD Racer
Post-Sale Update: This Harley-Davidson JD Racer sold for $17,100 on eBay. By 1920, HD was the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer – with dealerships in 67 countries. One of their featured bikes at the time was the 1000cc Harley-Davidson JD, which became the first motorcycle to ever win a race with an average speed of over 100 mph in 1921, on …
85 Years Young – 1939 Moto Guzzi Egretta
4-10 Update: This Guzzi is back up for sale here on eBay. When it comes to classic Guzzis, the Airone (produced for nearly two decades!) is usually the first bike that comes to mind. Airone translates to Heron, but that bike actually owes its existence the very rare Egret, the Moto Guzzi Egretta.
Production Racer – 1938 DKW SS 250
Post-Listing Update: Despite 20 bids on eBay topping out at $72,655, this DKW SS 250 failed to meet reserve. One of the most famous reverse-cylinder motorcycles of all time, the DKW SS 250 featured a “split-single” or “twingle” engine which had two pistons driven by a split con-rod. DKW used this technology in several bikes up to 500cc, but none …
1938 Triumph Tiger T90
Post-Listing Update: Despite 33 bids up to $16,100, this Triumph Tiger T90 did not meet reserve on eBay. Triumph has been around in various forms since 1885, but it really started to enjoy some success after being acquired in 1936 by the same man who owned Ariel. That year, the company was restructured, it started exporting bikes to the US, …
1935 Rudge Ulster
Built for 10 years (1929-1939), the Rudge Ulster was a British bike originally built as a racing prototype – so the production bike was pretty much a race replica. Advertised as “probably the fastest 500cc motorcycle in production”, the Ulster was one of the best bikes you could buy at the time.
1929 Majestic 350
Post Listing Update: this Majestic did not meet reserve despite 36 bids up to $60,000. With that said, a commenter below notes that the bike was later sold to the Barber Museum. Every once in a while, I stumble upon something truly incredible. This is one of those cases – the aptly-named Majestic 350. A shining example of Art-Deco styling, …
1929 Henderson Streamline KJ
One of the “Big 3” of American bikes in the early 1900s, Henderson was abruptly shut down in 1931, which is why most people now only remember Harley-Davidson and Indian. At the time, Henderson was producing the favored bikes of America’s police officers, though the company was bought up by Schwinn in the 1910s. The Henderson Streamline KJ was one …
1919 Indian Power Plus Sidecar
Post-Listing Update: Despite 16 bids up to $29,000, this Indian Power Plus Sidecar did not meet reserve. The Indian Power Plus was a successful roadster and canvas for racing bikes, especially with Erwin “Cannonball” Baker (after whom the Cannonball Run was named after). Today we’ve got an example that forgoes the racing pedigree and instead adds a sidecar.
Well Aged – 1934 Harley-Davidson VLD
1/22 Update: And just like that, it’s already been sold! This Harley-Davidson VLD went for the BIN price of $15,999. When the stock market crashed in ’29, most American motorcycle manufacturing firms went out of business. H-D, of course, was one of the few that survived. With only a little bit of money to play with (thanks to Harley’s bottoming …
1935 Ariel VG 500 Deluxe
11-27 Update: Well, that was quick. Just a few hours after we posted this Ariel VG 500, it sold for an unknown best offer on eBay. Ariel was a British manufacturer that was well known for innovation, especially due to the Square Four. The company had an interesting history – after producing its first bike in 1902, it closed for …
34th Annual Hansen Dam All British Ride
Every year, the Southern California Norton Owner’s Club hosts a wonderful get together at Hansen Dam. The combined show and ride features decades of classic British iron – and you’re bound to see great bikes from other marques, new and old. We got an invite from a local BMW mechanic friend and couldn’t say no. As you’ve come to expect …
Hidden From The War – 1937 NSU Pony 201 ZDB
Post-Listing Update: This Pony was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Today we feature the story of a true survivor – a 1937 NSU Pony.
1913 Rex Brooklands
Post-Listing Update: After 31 bids, this Rex Brooklands did not meet reserve at $22,322 on eBay. Rex was a British motorcycle company founded in 1900. It survived 2 mergers and 33 years of existence before closing up shop, and in its prime was considered one of the best marques in British motorcycling. One of their partnerships was with JA Prestwich …
1925 Gnome et Rhone Model D
Post-Sale Update: After 16 bids on eBay, this Gnome et Rhone Model D sold for $6,495. The Gnome et Rhone Model D is an incredibly rare bike from a French company best known for making aircraft engines. Before they were nationalized, however, they blessed the world with some interesting motorcycles and bicycles.