I recently got an email from someone looking to sell a bike that I had never heard of, a 50cc Vyrus. My first reaction was that it must have been some sort of knockoff by a pocketbike manufacturer, because I never could have imagined Vyrus developing such a small machine. But it turns out I get to borrow a line from Teri Hatcher in Seinfeld – it’s real, and it’s spectacular.

The seller has shown me his correspondence with the Vyrus factory in Italy in which they confirm that 8 examples were built in 2005. A Vyrus rep even amusingly states that for a small bike, “It was too expensive, even for us“. To put that in context, Vyrus was selling a naked superbike with a supercharged Ducati 1198cc motor called the 987 C3 4VV back in 2010. Pricing started at over $90,000. So they’ve got a slightly different idea about pricing than the rest of us, and they still figured this little bike wasn’t sustainable.

The model name breaks down as:
50 = displacement
C3 = cubic centimeters
2T = two stroke

Vyrus claims that the motor was developed for the Italian minimoto championship and that it’s rated for 13 horsepower. From a horsepower/liter standpoint, that’s 260!

This example has never been started or even had fluids in it, though if you want to change that you’ll need to use 2% pre-mix. Approximate dimensions are 2 feet high by 3 feet long. The seller acquired it in 2010 and he’s looking to pass it along to an owner that will appreciate the unique rarity, as well as the incredible frame and hub-center steering setup that Vyrus is best known for.

This baby Vyrus is available for sale in Portland, Oregon (some of you may have seen this bike at this year’s One Moto Show) with an asking price of $9,750 or best offer. Email me: abhi AT bike-urious DOT com to be put in touch with the seller!

Mecum calls the Victoria Avanti the little sister to the Tin Banana. Victoria’s advertising called it “the ideal light weight motorcycle”. Whatever you call it, the Avanti is a distinctive 50cc moped with some exquisite details.

The small two-stroke motor was paired with a 3-speed transmission. Dry weight was just over 130 pounds. If it helps your valuation, a nice looking example sold at Mecum Las Vegas 2017 for $5,000 plus buyer’s premium.

This example (VIN: 37920) is being offered by the second owner, who bought it from Germany and will include the original German title. It was given an “Excellence in Class” in the Post-War European thru 1965 class at the 13th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance this year.

Find this Avanti for sale in West Palm Beach, Florida for $5,800 here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Rob B!

I was on a big Monkey kick after I got to try the new one, and I’m still always on the lookout for interesting examples. This ’74 model is a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) example and it’s got just 102 kilometers on the odometer (64 miles).

This example (VIN: Z50J-1007070) has some rust but it’s said to run like new with the exception of a non-functional brake light. The seller acquired it from the original owner who apparently “won it in a raffle while stationed in Japan in the early 70s.”

Find this JDM Monkey for sale in Rosedale, Maryland with bidding up to $1,625

The Bultaco Streaker was a beautiful little cafe racer that was only produced for 3 years. Rumors suggest that just 28 were imported into the US before the EPA changed emissions regulations in 1979, effectively rendering this bike (and most other two-stroke highway vehicles at the time) illegal.

The Streaker was actually offered with either a 75cc or 125cc engine – the latter produced just 10 horsepower but it was in a frame designed with help from a aerospace manufacturer, plus it came with cast aluminum wheels, a steering stabilizer, and disc brakes. Even when it was released, the bike was considered “exquisite” and a collector’s item. For more information on the Streaker (and a pleasant tale of how someone has been trying in vain to get one of these for decades), check out this tale on Hooniverse.

This example (VIN: VB204004310) has just 106 miles on the odometer but it “has been in storage for years”. For this to get back on the road it will need a new rear tube and the usual engine prep that comes when a bike has been sitting. The seller also documents a hole in the side of the seat and some paint chips.

Find this Streaker for sale in Saint Louis, Missouri with a BIN of $7,500 or best offer

The SS125A is one of the hardest Hondas to find nowadays as it was only offered for three years and it sold poorly during that time. While that makes it a rare sight, it also means it can be very difficult to find parts – especially the exhaust! Still, they’re worth sharing, and I like the attitude of this seller.

At 10,000 rpm, the 124cc four-stroke motor put out 13 horsepower to motivate 209 pounds of weight. SS stands for “Super Sport”, which might be an ambitious claim considering the displacement and output, but it’s charming in its own way. The motor is a OHC parallel twin paired with a 4-speed transmission.

This example is offered by a seller who has been sitting on it for some time after he got it to fire up. It runs, but he notes that he “wouldn’t call it a full-on rider just yet”. In fact, I’m going to defer to an email the seller sent me:

“I’ve had several inquiries through CL or FB Marketplace – but, they’ve mostly been people who thought it “looked cool” but who I couldn’t in good conscience encourage to come look at a 51 year old bike that they couldn’t work on. Maybe I’m a dick, but most of them were glad for the honesty.

The downside is of course it’s had a rattle can repaint some time in the Ford administration. The upside is it’s all there, not rusty, has a good exhaust, and it runs and is too damn cool. The guy I bought it from had it for decades and even a sissy bar on it, which I could not abide. The buyer could have that for free!”

Find this SS125 for sale in Corvallis, Oregon for $2,000 here on Craigslist.

Considering that a Honda S90 provided the inspiration for the Bike-urious logo, it’s been too long since I’ve featured one. The 90c motor pumped out 8 horsepower, allowing for a top speed of up to 55 mph when piloted by a very, very small rider. 90 mpg was easily possible, making this an economical (and beautiful) commuter bike, as long as you don’t need to spend any time on the freeway! Back in the 60s, the state of Nevada had requirements for motorcycle riders between the ages of 14-16. They couldn’t own a bike more powerful than 6.5 horsepower, and they had to stay under 35 miles per hour – though the latter was not regulated by the bike and had to be controlled by the rider him/herself. Though the Honda S90 produced 8 hp, Honda denied having more than 6.5 hp at the rear wheel, amusingly done so in a letter to a Honda dealership in Nevada to counter complaints by the Nevada Highway Patrol that the motorcycles were too quick.

This example has 9,091 miles on the odometer and everything is said to work as it should. With that said, the tires are showing some dry rot and should probably be replaced. Unlike my personal S90, this one has the original key. I’m not sure

Find this S90 for sale in Mentor, Ohio with bidding up to $1,600

Heathkit was founded in 1926 in Saint Joseph, Michigan as a subsidiary of the Heath Company – they sold light aircraft kits. But they didn’t hit their peak until after World War II, when they offered electronic kits such as oscilloscopes. In 1968, they got in on the mini bike craze with the GT-18, which was marketed as the “Boonie Bike”.

Photo from Pin Repair.

The Boonie used a 206cc, 5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton motor and was capable of 30 miles per hour thanks to a 2-speed transmission. Like the Honda EZ-Snow featured recently, this bike had an optional “Ski Accessory” that you could bolt onto the front wheel. Check out this 3/17/1969 article on Sports Illustrated entitled “Two New Motorbikes are Designed for Heavy Duty in Rough and Remote Areas” which refers to the Boonie Bike and the Rokon Trailbreaker: “It is an oddity of marketing when a vehicle is offered to buyers not for its speed but because it goes slow.” I thought it was interesting to see a profile in SI, but if you’re really looking for information on this contraption, head on over to Pin Repair for the most comprehensive source I could find.

This example is said to be complete and all-original with the exception of the golf ball shifter knob. Find this Boonie Bike for sale in Santee, California for $1,250 or best offer here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Peejay!

To celebrate the ’67 Z50M (which wasn’t sold in the US either), Honda produced a 30th Anniversary edition of the Monkey that brought back the white paint, red frame, tartan seat, and “Old Wing” logo.

This example (VIN: Z50J-2402150) has 456 miles on the odometer and it looks great in the photos but the seller does note a few cosmetic issues such as some scratches and a little bit of rust. Everything is said to work and the seller apparently has a matching example of the ’67 Z50M for sale separately.

Find this rare Monkey for sale in Saint John, Indiana with bidding up to $3,150 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $8,900

Honda’s ST series of minibikes were called the Trail in North America, though Europe and Japan knew them as the Dax. One of the variants in Japan that the US never got was a mini chopper, but one of them was brought over by an American serviceman who was stationed in Japan.

To be frank, I really struggled to find any sort of information on this little chopper. The seller states that production may have been limited to 800 units, but this picture is the only official-looking source I could find. Hope you can read Japanese.

Image from Pinterest.

This example (VIN: ST506316189) has over 3,200 miles and it’s going to need some work. At a minimum it will need new tires and a new chain guard, but the big concern is the seller’s vague statement that first gear “has an issue.” He otherwise states that the bike “rides thru all the gears” and the headlight works. Seems like a charming project to me!

Find this mini Honda chopper for sale in Severn, Maryland with bidding up to $1,736

Released in 1970 on the heels of the wildly successful Z50A, Honda’s QA50 was an off-road version of the popular minibike with bigger tires, some different cosmetic elements, and none of the road-going bits. The first generation of the QA50 was dubbed the “K0”, followed by the second gen “K1” in ’73. In addition to being offered in different colors, the newer generation featured chromed tank accents in place of the gen one’s black plastic molding, and white fenders with colored stripes replaced the fully painted fenders from the first generation.

The QA50 featured a 49cc, OHV, four-stroke single paired with an automatic clutch and two-speed transmission that supposedly offered a top-speed of up to 30mph — though probably while being piloted by a small child. The mini also sported what Big Red referred to as a fully-enclosed exhaust system (with Krizman spark arrestor). With a dry weight of only 84lbs, the QA was incredibly fuel-efficient, with Honda’s advertising material claiming the 1.2-gallon tank was good for a 100-mile range.

The QA also had a telescopic fork up front with a rigid rear end, and some of the generations featured Honda’s patented “swivel-lock” handlebars that folded in, making it easier to stuff the mini into the boot of a car. Honda went through a total of four QA50 generations before the plug was pulled on production in after ‘74. While the Japanese firm sold a ridiculous number of Z50’s in the US, the QA variant is a far rarer breed. Far fewer examples were produced, and because it was marketed towards and primarily ridden by kids, many examples weren’t particularly well treated/cared for.

This particular 1973 QA50 K1 example appears to be wearing its factory “Hawaiian Blue Metallic” paint — one of two colors offered that year alongside “Candy Ruby Red”. The seller claims this example is original and in good condition, though fails to provide any additional details. While QA50 examples are seldom finds, the asking price on this specimen seems a bit steep, considering other clean examples sell for under two grand, like this example Abhi featured back in 2015, or this example from Bonhams 2016 Vegas auction.

You can find this 1973 Honda QA50 (VIN: A09439) for sale here on Craigslist in Temecula, California with a price of $4,300.

One of Honda’s many popular small displacement trail bikes of the 70s, the SL70 features a 72cc engine and a four-speed transmission. It was very successful with young riders who were learning how to ride dirt and motocross. It was introduced in 1970 but in 1974 it evolved into the XL70 as the ’73 XR75 was a better option for introducing young riders to the dirt.

The 72cc motor pushed approximately 6.5 horsepower through a 4-speed transmission, but at 153 pounds dry it was porky compared to the competition. For more on the SL, check out this story on Super Hunky.

This example (VIN: SL701011385) was given a “modest” restoration that includes a rebuilt top end, new aftermarket carb, and several other new pieces such as the paint, cables, battery, tires, and more. As the seller states, this is not a 100pt restoration but a sound rider that is “rebuilt in the spirit of the original”. The odometer shows 3,171 miles though it’s not clear how many were covered after the work was performed.

Find this SL70 for sale in Tempe, Arizona for $3,100 here on OfferUp.

6-9-2019 Update: Over a year later, this CT90 now has 237 miles. Confusingly, the seller says that he/she just got the bike “yesterday” and has only ridden it down the street, but this seems like the same bike to me and it’s being offered by the same username on eBay…

Find this CT for sale in Gilbert, Arizona with bidding up to $1,825 and the reserve not yet met

Honda’s Trail 90 (or CT90, depending on the market) was a popular entry point for youngsters to learn how to ride in the dirt. One of the reasons it was so easy to ride was the 4-speed transmission with an automatic clutch. So when Honda moved on to the CT110 in 1980 (basically the same bike but it weighed a pinch more and the motor was bored out to 105cc), they made sure to keep your left hand free. This example stands out as it has just 300 miles.

The 105cc engine produced 7.6 horsepower, but that was fine because the bike weighed just over 200 pounds wet. In addition, it featured a dual range ‘subtransmission’ which could be engaged with a lever that would yield a roughly 2:1 ratio reduction. This enabled easy scaling of steep hills, even with less than 8 horsepower. Pre ’86 models have a 6V electrical system with points. For more information, head on over to this site dedicated to the CT90 and 110.

According to the seller, this example was a “legitimate barn find from Pine, AZ”. Lots of new parts were installed to make it a runner – tires/tubes, gas lines, carb (original included), battery, spark plug, air filter, fork boots/seals/oil, seat cover, downtube frame cover, headlight, and more. Everything is said to work like new and the seller claims that there’s no rust at all. Cosmetic damage is limited to a paint chip on the top of the headlight bucket, scratches on the front fender, and some faded paint on the gas tank. It comes with the original tool kit and my favorite detail, the auxiliary gas tank.

Find this Honda CT90 for sale in Gilbert, Arizona with bidding up to $2,200

One of the surprises for many from last month’s results was a S90 that sold for $4,150 after 47 bids on eBay. How much will this one go for?

Changes here from the usual S90 include an enclosed chain, rear rack, low handlebars, mudguard on the rear fender, a rotary transmission (don’t shift from 4th to 1st!), different turn signal/brake light, and more. Sold by Wheelhouse Garage, this example (VIN: S90625753A) has “won 1st place three years in a row at the CJMC Motorcycle Show” and the seller states that there are “extensive notes about all of the restoration steps including part number, prices paid and processes.”

With that said, the seller throws in a disappointing note that he hasn’t started or ridden as there “is no fuel in the tank and…I have chosen to leave it in perfect show condition.” It sure looks like it’ll start up just fine, but it’d be nice to know that before you bid!

Find this Honda for sale in Pleasanton, California with bidding up to $1,675 and the reserve not yet met

While Honda’s newest miniMOTO is called a Monkey, the model was always previously called the Mini Trail in the US. The “Monkey” on this tank lets you know that is a JDM model, which means it also has a removable front end that US bikes did not get.

This example has 837 miles and it’s in impressive original condition – even the original Nitto tires are still on on it. The seller notes that “the year of manufacture is technically 1972, although I have it on eBay as a 1970 model, as it more closely resembles a [Mini Trail from] that model year.”

Everything on the machine is original, down to the Nitto tires. It has not run in a few years, but the seller says: “if the new buyer would like a running motorcycle, I’m happy to get it running before it is picked up or shipped.”

Find this Japanese-market Monkey for sale in Chicago, Illinois with bidding up to $1,826 and the reserve not yet met

Honda has always been one of the world’s best at sub-100cc bikes, from commuter bikes for the people to full on works racers. In 2004, Honda released just 440 copies of one of the best 49cc bikes ever made – the Honda CB50R, otherwise known as the Dream. Built as a replica of the 1962 RC110, it’s considered by some to be one of the most beautiful bikes that’s ever been built.

When new, the Honda CB50R cost a hefty $5,499, and had an engine that revved to nearly 14,000rpm, where it produces about 7 horsepower. Weighing just 156 pounds, the bike came with a 6-speed gearbox and all kinds of HRC goodies, including race-spec cams, valve springs and pistons, and a lightweight generator. You don’t get a battery, and there’s no kickstart – the only way to get this beauty fired up is with a bump start. If you want, HRC will also sell you all kinds of hop-up parts straight from their Japanese catalog.

The seller of this example has offered many bikes on Bike-urious before, and he is the second owner of this machine. He acquired it last year and rode it once “up and down the street to verify its functionality.” He then cleaned the tank and carb and put the bike on display, noting that it’s “essentially still new” but “it is apparent that it’s been ridden less than 1/4 mile.” The sale includes the owner’s manual and a bill of sale (these were never street legal and there was no title).

Find this Dream for sale in San Diego, California for $6,500 here on Craigslist.

Built to look like a mini RZ500, the YSR50 also featured mini performance. The 49.3cc two-stroke engine was capable of pushing the bike up to 38 miles per hour, but companies like Team Calamari have been making stock performance numbers useless with years of aftermarket parts and performance modifications.

This example (VIN: JYA2RRA03JA013947) has just 497 miles and it’s claimed to be original and unrestored. There’s a decent scuff in the engine case which the seller documents in a few photos, but in general this bike is in great shape for the age. The sale includes a new battery and the original owner’s manual.

Find this YSR for sale in Longboat Key, Florida with bidding up to $2,550 and the reserve not yet met

Here’s a contender for best motorcycle name ever – the Suzuki Street Magic!

The Street Magic was available in 50 and 110 models, the latter of which actually featured a 113cc 2-stroke engine that pushed approximately 10 horsepower through an automatic transmission. It’s got all kinds of quirky styling elements – it looks like a miniature supermoto with some ruggedness to it and I adore the Enkei wheels.

This example (VIN: CF12A-102181) has a healthy 22,830 miles (the seller even says the “mileage is too mach [sic] but still running very well.” There’s plenty of corrosion and general cosmetic wear, but how often are you going to see one of these at your local bike night? There is no title, so make sure you live in a state that’s flexible with registration rules. The sale includes the original Japanese title, a translation of said title, the bill of sale, and an export certificate.

Find this Street Magic for sale in Ohio with an unmet opening bid of $2,000

This bike-uriousity brought to you by John K!

For many minibike collectors, the Silver Shadow is the Holy Grail. Speedway called it the world’s fastest mini-cycle thanks to a 12.5 horsepower Sachs 2-stroke motor and a weight of just 147 pounds. It’s also incredibly rare (I’ve seen estimates that just 22 were built), which means it can be surprisingly valuable – I’ve featured one in the past that did not meet reserve despite bidding up to $7,500!

Speedway was a small (both in terms of numbers of employee and the type of two-wheelers they made) bike manufacturer formed by a few defectors from Rupp. They boldly started a factory in the same town of Mansfield, Ohio and went on to make some classic minibikes like the Scorpion and the Widowmaker. The 125cc Sachs motor was paired with a 5-speed transmission – a specification chart in the seller’s listing shows that top-speed was calculated to be 77.40 mph, which is much faster than I’d want to go on those 10″ wheels. Silver Shadows were built in 1970 and 1971 – the ’71 models differed in that they got a seat cowl.

This example (VIN: 848372939403) is restored by a claimed expert restorer named “Mr. Paul” that I’m not familiar with, and there’s 4 miles on the odometer. There are also some minor needs: “coil or points checked” and “oil in front fork suspension.”

Find this Silver Shadow for sale in Naples, Florida with a BIN of $5,500 or best offer

Ever heard of one of these? Me neither.

At least I can tell you a little bit about Malaguti, which was an Italian motorcycle manufacturer that existed from 1930-2011, though they’ve been brought back to life under an Austrian firm as of February of this year. They built bicycles until 1958, at which point they also added small displacement motorcycles and scooters to the lineup.

As to the Roncobilaccio Cross itself, I’m quite stumped. It’s obviously a small-displacement dual sport, but all I’ve been able to determine is that it featured a 49cc engine with a 3-speed transmission. This period advertisement in French notes a Dell’Orto carb, 16″ wheels, reinforced forks, and pedals. Color options were red/white, yellow/white, and green/white, but this is clearly from a different year of production.

Photo from Pinterest

This is a terrible listing and I would normally ignore it, but the bike itself is so rare that I had to share it. The seller has two tiny photos and the extent of his/her description is “Malaguti motor cycle for sale runs good.” Hopefully they’re more descriptive once you talk to them. If you’re interested in finding out, you can see this Malaguti for sale in Evansville, Wisconsin for $5,000 here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Rod M!

Another day, another cool bike on Iconic Motorbike Auctions! I’m particularly excited about this one as it’s one of the fascinating Honda Motocompos, and this one is being offered with no reserve!

I had Sandro take it for a spin for a quick video:

The Motocompo is slow but fun for many reasons, and it has quite possibly my favorite decal ever placed on a motorcycle:

Click here for more information and to put in a bid. Good luck!