Classic & Vintage Motorcycles
Las Vegas: Annual Mecum Auctions Set For End of January
The Entertainment Capital of the world is about to host a long-anticipated vintage motorcycle auction from January 25-29 – and judging by the lineup, it’s no wonder NewspressUSA calls it the ‘World’s Largest Vintage Motorcycle Auction.’ We’re told that a stunning 1,750 bikes will be present at the Mecum Auctions, each repaired “to an extremely …
TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: The 5 Weirdest Motorcycles Ever Used in War
Forgive me if I sound about 10 years old, but as a grown-ass man I still have my childhood obsession with weird and wonderful WWII vehicles in full effect. Be it their wild creativity, overblown mechanicals or straight-up ‘let’s cross our fingers and see if this works’ hopefulness, they still to this day inspire customisers, …
Rare Britten V1000 Under Maintenance at Museum of New Zealand
An ultra rare race bike has just been installed in the Museum of New Zealand – and with only 10 bikes ever made, it’s a special sight to behold. The Britten V1000 – named after a man of the same surname – was originally handbuilt in the early 1990s by John Britten and a few …
Replica 1960’s BatCycle Goes to Auction
Holy Motorcycles, Batman – It’s Built Around an Original Catalina 250! The dawn is coming – and by all accounts, it’s coming in the form of a replica Batcycle about to go up for auction. Our report for today’s bit of gossip comes from TopSpeed, along with the news that the Mecum auction house will …
1916 Traub: The Mystery Surrounding the Rarest Motorcycle in the World
Somebody Give Baker Street a Buzz The world’s rarest motorcycle isn’t just a ‘one-of-a-kind’ custom deal tinkered with love by a backstage mastermind sporting years of experience on the docket (though we dearly love those). Think more along the lines of a ‘one of one’ invention – and to this day, nobody knows the exact …
Robert Haas, Owner of Haas Moto Museum, Passes at 74
Robert Haas, wealthy financier, published aerial photographer, and owner of the beautiful Haas Moto Museum, has passed, leaving behind 74 years of solid work, stunning inspiration, and a passion for beautiful motorcycles that leaves us very respectful of the man we never met. “I was 41 years old, and I was where I thought I …
Halcyon 450: A New Classic Beauty From Janus Motorcycles
It’s a Tuesday. You’ve got a handful of items in your quota for the week, and you’re about to start the day in the usual routinely fashion. Before tackling the list, you tread over to your computer (it’s old, but it gets the job done), sit, take a sip from your morning mug of coffee …
Honda CRF230F Motorcycles
2004 CRF230F ENGINE Engine Type 223cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke Bore and Stroke 65.5mm x 66.2mm Compression Ratio 9.0:1 Valve Train SOHC; two-valve Fuel Delivery 26mm piston-valve Ignition CDI DRIVETRAIN Transmission Six-speed Final Drive #520 O-ring-sealed chain; 13T/50T CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES Front Suspension 37mm leading-axle Showa fork; 9.5-inch travel Rear Suspension Pro-Link Showa single-shock …
The Best Motorcycles of the 1990s
Next up on our voyage through the decades, we arrive at the 1990s. While the 80s was a decade of innovation and excitement, the party really got started in the 90s. If you were a young and impressionable youth with a taste for high-speed thrills, jaw-dropping lean angles, and a penchant for general mischief, then …
Honda CB400SF (Super Four) Motorcycles
1992-95 Honda CB400SF (Super Four) Engine Engine Liquid cooled, transverse four cylinders, four stroke, Displacement 399cc Bore x Stroke 55 x 42 mm Compression Ratio 11.3:1 Fuel Delivery Four 32mm carburetors Max Power 53 hp 38.6 kW @ 10000 rpm Max Torque 40.18 Nm @ 7500 rpm Drivetrain Transmission 5-speed Final Drive Chain CHASSIS / …
Rickman Motorcycles
RICKMAN MOTORCYCLES – THE RICKMAN BROTHERS Don & Derek Rickman raced scrambles and motocross throughout England in the 1950s and were quite good, and had achieved great renown. By the late 50s however, they were growing increasingly disgusted with the motorcycle offerings of the major British manufacturers. Most were essentially street bikes that had been …
1973 Rickman-Montessa 250 Restoration
Rickman 250 Restoration Project: RICKMAN 250 RESTORATION PROJECT – GERM OF AN IDEA This one is a little different for me. I am a regular attendee of MidAmerica Auctions HUGE Classic Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas every January. Whether I’m buying or selling, there are over 500 incredible classic bikes there for sale, and it’s …
1973 Triumph TR7: Return of the Yellow Bike
The Return of the Yellow Bike: THE RETURN OF THE YELLOW BIKE First off, what is the Yellow Bike? It’s my personal favorite motorcycle that I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned several. It started out life as a ’73 Triumph TR7 that I built from scratch, nearly down to the last nut-and-bolt. It’s the bike …
Classic British Rat Bikes
CLASSIC BRITISH RAT BIKES – BORN OF CHOPPERS When I was growing up and learning to ride, around 1970, people were chopping all kinds of things, not just Harleys. Lots of guys were chopping their Honda 350s, 450s & 750s. I even saw a Kawasaki Mach3 chopper once, with extended forks & no additional rake. …
Classic British Racing Motorcycles
CLASSIC BRITISH ROAD RACING MOTORCYCLES This 1969 Triumph Trident T150 Road Racer was campaigned by the legendary Gene Romero (above). The development of motorcycle racing has largely dominated many racing sports over time. The sport involves road racing, off road racing, both either on circuits or open courses and track racing. There is now a …
1956 – 1962 Pre-Unit Triumph TR6
THE PRE-UNIT TRIUMPH TR6 The preceding page offers a complete history of the Triumph TR6 from beginning to end. For the purpose of breaking up the large number of model years for the Triumph TR6, we have broken them up into their two logical subsets: “Pre-Unit TR6”, spanning 1956 to 1962; and “Unit-Construction TR6”, from …
Norton Rotary Motorcycles
BACKGROUND OF NORTON ROTARY MOTORCYCLES Norton’s air-cooled, twin-rotor Wankel motorcycles made up a unique and interesting chapter in the history of this legendary classic British marque. After the last Commando rolled off the assembly line in 1975, things grew quiet at Norton until the early 1980s. Norton and merged with BSA in 1973 just as …
Matchless Motorcycles
taken september 1937 Dear sir, can you please identify the model of this bike for me. I am trying to compile my family history and this picture (not very good i’m afraid) is of my dad on his matchless bike taken in 1937 – the date on the back of the pic. I would be …
Lotus C-01 Motorcycle
The Lotus C-01 Motorcycle THE LOTUS C-01 MOTORCYCLE: LOTUS BUILDS MOTORCYCLES? Have you ever seen a Lotus motorcycle before? I hadnʼt. Until I saw this one at the big Mecum classic motorcycle auction in Las Vegas in January. The looks of the Lotus C-01 are jaw-dropping, other-worldly, like nothing Iʼd ever seen before. Sitting there …
Classic Japanese Motorcycles in the UK
Of all the Japanese Motorcycles ever produced, the Honda CB750 epitomizes the effect that they had on the British Motorcycle Industry. Total technical supremacy. And volume…the Brits could never hope to produce motorcycles in the sheer volumes of the combined might of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki & Yamaha. Just when the American market was heating up …
Classic 1979 Triumph T140D Bonneville Special Restoration
My Classic Motorcycle Restoration Project: My next cheap Classic Motorcycle Restoration Project: This sweet 1979 Triumph T140D Bonneville Special, pictured here in our state-of-the-art Research & Development Center (my garage). CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE RESTORATION PROJECT: THESE BIKES ARE CHEAP! Obviously, ‘cheap’ is a relative thing. But, when you think of what it costs to get into …
Classic Motorcycle Restoration
CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE RESTORATION – THE HEART OF OUR HOBBY In many ways, our love of Classic British Motorcycles (or classic motorcycles of any kind for that matter) is reliant upon restorers who bring these fantastic machines back to life. As the popularity of classic motorcycles spreads, more & more ‘barn finds’ will be restored. Still …
John Player Norton
JOHN PLAYER NORTON, 1974-75 Norton’s new Commando was turning heads, starting at its introduction as a 1968 model. Very quickly, racing versions were beginning to dominate Grand Prix road racing in Britain and Europe. British cigarette maker John Player took notice of the Commando’s success and the attention it was drawing with its racing program. Legendary riders …
My 1973 Triumph TR7: the “Yellow Bike”
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO YELLOW BIKE? After a 7-year absence, I tracked down my favorite old bike and bought it back. After hand-building it, riding it all over the state, winning shows with it, it was even written up in a bike magazine. Then, for some unknown reason, I sold it in 2009. It took until …
Classic Suzuki Motorcycles
Suzuki Motorcycles IN THE BEGINNING Suzuki Motorcycles was founded by Michio Suzuki, who opened a small loom business (weaving fabric) in 1909 in Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki Loom Works became an industry giant and in 1929, Suzuki invented a new type of weaving machine, which was manufactured & exported over the next 30 years. These were …
The Best Motorcycles of the 1980s
As we continue our journey through the decades, it’s time to take a look at the best motorcycles of the 1980s. While every decade in the industry’s history has been a transformative one, the 80s was on another level. It was a decade of immense vision, with motorcycle manufacturers pushing the boundaries of design and …
Road Guardians Harley-Davidson New Glory Flag Bike Sweepstakes Extended!
As we reported earlier this month, Road Guardians is auctioning off the Harley-Davidson New Glory Flag Bike, with the entries ending next Monday, May 31. We’re happy to report that this deadline has been extended! The official drawing will be on July 4, 2021, in a LIVE broadcast from Choppertown at the Cross Country Chase …
1913 350cc AJS Put to Rest in New Gallery
It’s not every day that you see a blast from the past in such impressive shape as this one. Built by British manufacturer A.J. Stevens & co. of Wolverhampton, the 1913 AJS was one of five machines from AJS to be raced in the 1914 Junior TT – and is considered the only model to …
The Best Motorcycles of the 1970s
While every decade has its icons, the 1970s have so many good models to choose from. It was a time when the Japanese were really stamping their authority over the scene, flexing muscles and cylinders with each other, and driving once-mighty international brands into obscurity. Despite the changing landscape, the 70s created some of the …
Ducati Museum in Italy Reopens to the Masses
On May 21st, The Ducati Museum will be reopening to the general public of Bologna, Italy – and the nostalgia is hitting people in all the right places. It’s been a rough time for institutions that rely on in-person pedestrian traffic to spread wonder, knowledge, and intrigue. And while virtual tours are still available to …
Road Guardians Harley-Davidson New Glory Flag Bike Auction Announced
In the USA, there is no name that defines the open road and freedom more than Harley-Davidson. These are the V-twin baggers, cruisers, low riders, and long-distance tourers that are meant to cruise down an Interstate, rumbling out a throaty bellow. These are the bikes that have defined more than one generation. These are the …
The Best Motorcycles of the 1960s
The 1960s was a transformative time for the motorcycle industry. As the mobility culture shifted from affordable motorcycles to affordable four-wheelers, the industry found itself at something of crossroads and on the cusp of an identity crisis. The 60s would bring about the beginning of the end for the British industry, an unexpected rise of …
The Best Motorcycles of the 1950s
The 1950s was an interesting decade for the motorcycle industry. As countries began to show signs of economic improvement after the devastation of World War II, motorcycle manufacturers could begin to innovate in new directions. While affordable mobility was still an important part of a motorcycle’s design, the humble motorcycle was slowly being replaced by …
The Best Motorcycles of the 1940s
The 1940s was a particularly turbulent decade in world history, dominated by the Second World War causing widespread destruction all over the globe. As the Allies and Axis powers battled in different theatres, the world’s largest industrial manufacturers were forced to support the war effort in whatever way they could, and a wave of innovation …
Honda VTX1800N Motorcycles
2005 VTX1800N Engine Engine Type 1795cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin Bore and Stroke 101mm x 112mm Compression Ratio 9.0:1 Valve Train SOHC; three valves per cylinder Fuel Delivery PGM-FI with automatic choke Ignition Digital, two spark plugs per cylinder Drivetrain Transmission Five-speed Final Drive Shaft CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES Front Suspension 45mm inverted fork; …
Honda Silver Wing 600 (FJS600) Motorcycles
2007 Silver Wing 600 ABS FJS600 Engine Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC parallel twin Bore and Stroke 72 x 71.5mm Displacement 582cc Compression Ratio 8.3:1 Carburation Electronic fuel injection Max. Power Output 50 bhp at 7,000 rpm Max. Torque 54Nm/5,500 rpm Ignition Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance Starter Electric Gearbox V-Matic Final Drive V-Belt …
Honda Shadow ACE 750 (VT750C) Motorcycles
1998 VT750C’98 Shadow American Classic Edition (ACE) 750 ENGINE N/A DRIVETRAIN N/A CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES N/A DIMENSION N/A OTHER It came in one color: Black This model does not have the upper fork covers like the Deluxe The serial number began JH2RC440*WM000001. 2001 VT750C’01 SHADOW ACE 750 Engine Engine Type Liquid cooled, 52° …
Honda CB400Ti Motorcycles
1978 CB400TI Engine Engine Air cooled, parallel twin cylinder, four stroke, SOHC, 360° crankshaft and twin balance-shafts Valving 3 valve per cylinder Displacement 395cc (24.1 cu. in) Bore x Stroke 70.5 x 50.6mm Compression Ratio 9.3:1 Fuel Delivery Two 32mm Keihin carburetors Ignition CDI Starter Kickstart Max Power 26.8 HP @ 8000 rpm Max Torque …
Honda Helix 250 (CN250) Motorcycles
1986 Helix 250 (CN250) Engine Engine Type 244cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled Cylinders One DRIVETRAIN CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES DIMENSION OTHER Engine MF02E-5000001 ~ V.I.N. JH2MF020_GK000001 ~ Color Pearl Shell White with white floorboard stripe Candy Glory Red with red floorboard stripe 1987 Helix 250 (CN250) Engine Engine Type 244cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled Cylinders One DRIVETRAIN CHASSIS …
Honda CB400 Super Bol D’or Motorcycles
2005-07 Honda CB400 Super Bol D’or Engine Engine Liquid cooled, transverse four cylinders, four stroke, DOHC, Displacement 399cc Bore x Stroke 55 x 42 mm Compression Ratio 11.3:1 Fuel Delivery Four 32mm carburetors Ignition CDI Starter Electric Max Power 38.6 kW (53 hp) @ 11000 rpm Max Torque 40.18 Nm @ 7500 rpm Drivetrain Transmission …
