1920 Briggs & Stratton Scooter

November 16, 2015, 12:17 pm

≫ Next: 1978 Bultaco Streaker

≪ Previous: Needs Some Work – 1987 David Sherrell Classic with Whizzer Motor

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In 1919, Briggs & Stratton acquired the patent and manufacturing rights for the Smith Motor Wheel. What they learned from that engine led to development of the ubiquitous Briggs & Stratton motors seen in lawnmowers and all kinds of small equipment, but before that the company used the motor wheel to power vehicles like this (restored) scooter, which won the AACA Grand National Award in 2005 and 2006, as well as the Senior AACA Grand National Award in 2007.

Unfortunately, it was then put in storage and hasn’t been run yet, though the seller says it starts and runs. He/she also notes that it should have the exhaust repainted black. Now, the bad news – the BIN is $25k. If it still tickles your fancy, find it for sale in East Berlin, Pennsylvania for $25,000

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1978 Bultaco Streaker

November 17, 2015, 9:01 am

≫ Next: Centaur Folding Scooter

≪ Previous: 1920 Briggs & Stratton Scooter

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One of the most desirable models from the Spanish company, 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.

I’ve featured three of these in the last year, all of which are the bigger 125cc (versus 75cc). Whenever I feature a Streaker, I have to share this tale on Hooniverse, which details a passionate fan searching for one of these bikes for decades.

This example has 2,800 miles and it comes with a 34mm flat slide Mikuni carb to replace the original 26mm Bing, complementing a enlarged exhaust port. The seller notes this bike isn’t perfect, but it was originally owned by Gary Bailey, if that’s worth anything to you. Find this Streaker for sale in Greenville, South Carolina with an unmet opening bid of $3,999

Centaur Folding Scooter

November 17, 2015, 10:01 am

≫ Next: Baby RD – 1974 Yamaha RD60

≪ Previous: 1978 Bultaco Streaker

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When it was released, the Centaur was claimed to be America’s only “full-size” folding scooter. It was marketed as a portable transportation solution that could be carried on a boat, plane, trailer, or car.

The two-stroke engine produced 5 horsepower, good for a top speed of 40 miles per hour, consumption of 100 miles per gallon, or carrying capacity of 400 pounds. Plus, with three steps it folded into this:

For more on the Centaur, check out this page on the US Scooter Museum, which is full of vintage ads like this explanation of why you should become a dealer!

From http://www.usscootermuseum.com/centaur.htm

This Centaur is claimed to be in great condition thanks to a recent restoration. Find it for $2,500 here on Craigslist in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Todd B!

Baby RD – 1974 Yamaha RD60

November 26, 2015, 11:51 am

≫ Next: 1989 Kawasaki KD80X

≪ Previous: Centaur Folding Scooter

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The RD60 was a tiny two-stroker that was built just between ’73-’75. It featured more gears in the transmission than horses out of the engine (5 vs. 4). Weird fact of the day – this bike didn’t have a green neutral light indicator.

For more on the RD60, check out this description from Cycle Chaos, where it’s noted that Yamaha apparently claimed a fuel economy of 188 miles per gallon…if you hovered at 18 miles per hour. It seems fuel mileage when ridden like a normal person is around 100 mpg.

Find this RD60 for sale in Hendersonville, Tennessee for $1,500 here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Jim R!

1989 Kawasaki KD80X

November 28, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: In Canada – 1997 Honda Dream 50

≪ Previous: Baby RD – 1974 Yamaha RD60

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A rare minibike, the Kawi KD80X that is normally hard to find in good shape nowadays because most were beat up as play bikes. The seller of this example has had two bikes – one went to the Moto Armory museum, and the other can now be yours.

Despite the diminuitive size, this bike could hit 40 miles per hour, even while carrying someone that weighed more than the bike itself. Unlike some competitors, this came with a five speed manual transmission and a clutch. This example (VIN: JKAKDWN17JA000178) is claimed to be in near mint condition, though the seller disconnected the oil injection and blocked off all related lines. Instead he ran ethanol free gas with 2-stroke oil. The tires have some dry cracking but everything else looks OK. Find this KD80X for sale in Alliance, Ohio with bidding up to $1,200

In Canada – 1997 Honda Dream 50

December 3, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: Parascooter – 1944 Cushman Model 53

≪ Previous: 1989 Kawasaki KD80X

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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. Over the years, however, the company slowly moved towards bigger bikes in an effort to capture more of an American market that has always been obsessed with power. For a couple of years in the Japanese market (and then for one year in the US with a race-only variant), Honda built an homage to the 60s CR110 racer. This is one of those Japanese-market bikes.

Despite what you might normally expect from bikes with tiny engines, this bike had surprising amounts of tech, including dual discs and a dual overhead camshaft. Depending on who you believe, the engine either produced 5.6 horsepower at just over 10,000 rpm, or a whopping 7.0 horsepower at 13.5k. Either way, it’s tiny (just 157 pounds dry), it’s rare, and it’s pretty.

For you Canadian readers, this bike is registered in Ontario and while the seller barely gives any additional information about the bike, he/she has included a photo album that at least lets you verify the cosmetics are nice. No idea how many miles are on it, though! Find this Dream for sale here on Craigslist for $5,999 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Todd B!

Parascooter – 1944 Cushman Model 53

December 6, 2015, 2:17 am

≫ Next: Still New – 2004 Honda Dream 50

≪ Previous: In Canada – 1997 Honda Dream 50

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The Cushman Model 53 is probably as cool as a scooter gets. 4,734 of these bikes were produced to serve the US in World War II. These bare-bones scoots were intended to primarily be messenger bikes, helping to increase the mobility of troops and assist in communications. Their diminutive size was supposed to help them quickly but quietly maneuver around obstacles that might slow down Jeeps or armored units. But the best part of the Model 53s were how they were delivered. The US Air Force delivered them like many other provisions – out the back of a plane, strapped to a parachute!

Unfortunately, this novel delivery mechanism posed a serious problem. As the scooter had no real suspension, many of the wheels were bent on landing, rendering some of the Cushman Model 53s useless as they hit the ground. Because of this, many scooters were destroyed on site, or just left in France. No one seems to know how many of the 53s ever came back to the US. In addition to moving personnel around, trailers could be attached to lug cargo, though the 1-cylinder 4.6 horsepower engine wasn’t capable of carrying very much. With only a (brave) rider, this bike was capable of 40 mph on those tiny wheels, despite a hefty curb weight of 255 pounds. The Model 53 was capable of wading through a foot of water, climbing a 25 percent grade, and going 100 miles before needing a refuel. After the war, Cushman changed the model name to 53A and sold surplus bikes to the American public.

This specific Model 53 (VIN: 34485) has been owned by a Cushman Club of America member for 30 years. It was restored over 25 years ago and hasn’t been run much since. Find this Cushman for sale in Fayetteville, North Carolina with an unmet opening bid of $6,200

Still New – 2004 Honda Dream 50

December 6, 2015, 6:01 am

≫ Next: Mini Chopper – 1970 Bonanza CR500

≪ Previous: Parascooter – 1944 Cushman Model 53

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Though the Dream was offered for a few years in Japan, Honda only exported the bike to the US in 2004. Here’s one of those few bikes that has zero miles.

The seller says this is the perfect collector’s item…let’s see who agrees with him. Find this new Dream for sale in Littleton, Colorado for $5,500 here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Bob K and Tom S!

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Mini Chopper – 1970 Bonanza CR500

December 9, 2015, 7:01 am

≫ Next: Four 100c Ducati Barn Find

≪ Previous: Still New – 2004 Honda Dream 50

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This insane idea by Bonanza took a Hodaka Ace engine and threw into a mini chopper frame, presumably creating the world’s greatest wheelie machine for little riders.

You also got a 5-speed transmission, drum brake in the rear, and then…not much else. The seller claims this is a full restoration though the intake and air cleaner are wrong. No matter how correct this is, I don’t see a way you ride this without maiming yourself within a mile or two.

Find this mini chopper for sale here on Craigslist in Quinton, Virginia for the not-so-mini price of $3,500.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Jim R!

Four 100c Ducati Barn Find

December 10, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: Cleans Up Nice – 1975 Honda TL125

≪ Previous: Mini Chopper – 1970 Bonanza CR500

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Someone is offering 4 small Ducatis – all are 100cc, and three may be Mountaineers.

The Mountaineer was a dual sport, and it was offered alongside a street bike with the same engine (7.2 horsepower) called the Cadet. For more off-road suitability, the Mountaineer was given a luggage rack, scrambler exhaust, and a larger rear sprocket than the Cadet. 3 of the bikes turn over, so you’ll have a head start when you restore these things and then I guess you can start a spec race series?

Find this collection of Ducatis for sale here on Craigslist in Lockhart, Texas for $3,495.

Cleans Up Nice – 1975 Honda TL125

December 11, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: 1962 Laverda 60

≪ Previous: Four 100c Ducati Barn Find

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Impressively, this Honda has not been restored, it’s just had a ‘major detailing’. The seller says you’d be hard pressed to find a TL125 in this condition, and he/she is probably right.

The TL125 was Honda’s first production trials bike. It was introduced in 1973 and was much more affordable than the competition, but trials never truly caught on in the states and it was out of the market by 1976. For more on this bike, check out this “Memorable Motorcycle” profile from Motorcycle-USA.

While the TL125 is street legal in certain states, this example is strictly for the dirt and does not have a title. Find it for sale in Bedford, Indiana with bidding up to $1,026 and the reserve not yet met

1962 Laverda 60

December 11, 2015, 9:01 am

≫ Next: 1970 Yamaha G6S

≪ Previous: Cleans Up Nice – 1975 Honda TL125

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Did you know that Laverda made scooters? I sure didn’t. In 1959, Italy changed their highway code, allowing for riders without licenses to finally use ‘mopeds’ without pedals, as long as they were limited to 40 km/h. Laverda immediately started building a 4-stroke scooter with a 49cc engine.

In ’62, Laverda made the scooter longer and added a 60cc option with 3 gears. For more information on this rare scoot, check out Laverdino.de.

This example was stored for 40 years but it’s claimed to sound very good with the clutch and gearbox working as they should. The seller says the speedo cable and “carb cable” (I assume that’s supposed to mean throttle cable?) should be replaced. Find this rare Laverda for sale near Titusville, Florida for $1,125 here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by David N!

1970 Yamaha G6S

December 12, 2015, 9:01 am

≫ Next: In Australia – MV Agusta Monoalbero

≪ Previous: 1962 Laverda 60

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Very similar to the FS1 “Fizzy” that was popular in Europe, Yamaha’s G6S was a tiny tiddler with a 80cc engine. This impressive example sat for 30 years but now “runs and rides” as it should.

Find this G6S for sale here on Craigslist in Grand Rapids, Michigan for $1,600.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Tom D!

In Australia – MV Agusta Monoalbero

December 12, 2015, 11:01 am

≫ Next: 1961 Demm Dick Dick

≪ Previous: 1970 Yamaha G6S

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In 1952, Cecil Sandford won the 125cc World Championship on a MV Agusta – the first of the firm’s 37 titles. The next year, MV released the Monoalbero (single cam), designed to be a privateer racer you could get straight from the factory.

The bike was impressively similar to Sandford’s works racer piloted by Cecil Sandford, with a duplex loop frame, telescopic forks, Dell’Orto carb, and more. The bike produced 16 horsepower, good enough for a top speed of 90 miles per hour, though these bikes had the slight additional weight of a generator to affix lights for events like the Moto Giro. Production estimates vary – I’ve seen numbers as low as 52 to as high as 400.

This specific example is claimed to be built to ‘factory race specification by a French team that ran the MV Factory effort.’ With that in mind, this example has the Works alloy seat and oil tank (twice the stock size). You’ll get the original oil tank and lots of spare parts.

Find this little Italian racer for sale in Coffs Harbour, Australia for $90,000 here at Raider Moto.

1961 Demm Dick Dick

December 13, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: Honda 125 Custom – Bandit9 Ava

≪ Previous: In Australia – MV Agusta Monoalbero

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Yes, that’s the real name. Demm was an Italian manufacturer based out of Milan that specialized in small (50-175cc) two wheelers. They created bikes between ’53 and ’82 (some were briefly imported to the US between ’76 and ’78) and had some truly interesting names for their bikes, like the Dick-Matic, Ping Pong, and this Dick Dick.

This is named after the Dik-dik, a small antelope found in Africa, and this specific example is claimed to be all original and in remarkable condition.

Find this Dick Dick for sale here on Craigslist in San Francisco, California for $1,345.

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Honda 125 Custom – Bandit9 Ava

December 16, 2015, 11:01 am

≫ Next: 12 Miles Barn Find – 1974 MZ TS150

≪ Previous: 1961 Demm Dick Dick

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Now based out of Vietnam, Bandit9 has made a name for themselves by building some distinctive customs, typically based on small Hondas. As hinted at by the name, each production run of Bandit9 bikes is for just 9 bikes.

Bandit9 is the brainchild of Daryl Villanueva – I’ve featured his nifty bikes before. For more on the firm and their bikes, check out this article from PSFK, who call his creations “Motorcycles Designed for the Future That Never Came“.

The Ava is based on a Honda 125 and features custom bodywork, suspension, electrical, and seat. What do you think about how it’s ended up?

Find Ava for sale here on Bandit9’s site for $10,950 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (with free shipping to the US)

12 Miles Barn Find – 1974 MZ TS150

December 21, 2015, 8:01 am

≫ Next: $466 – Union Holland Moped

≪ Previous: Honda 125 Custom – Bandit9 Ava

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12-21 Update: The seller of this MZ has let me know that it’s back up for sale with a much lower reserve. I don’t know what that number is, but hopefully this bike finds a new owner. Find it with an opening bid of $1,000

Post-Sale Update: After 11 bids on eBay, this MZ TS150 did not meet reserve with bidding up to $1,500.01 – or as a commenter noted below, $100 per cc.

Discovered hanging in a shop for over 40 years, this MZ TS150 is claimed to be in great overall condition though it’s going to need some work.

The TS series (acronym for Telescopic Fork/Swingarm) was available in big or small versions – the latter was either a 125 or 150. The 125 produced about 10 horsepower and it was available in standard or luxury models with flat or high bars. This example (VIN: 7817067) is missing a sidecar and it has good compression but it will need a little TLC.

Find this small TS for sale in Vidalia, Louisiana with an unmet opening bid of $1.00 or a BIN of $5,000

$466 – Union Holland Moped

December 29, 2015, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Full Mod Pitbike – Kawasaki KLX110

≪ Previous: 12 Miles Barn Find – 1974 MZ TS150

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For less than $500, here’s a Union Holland moped – the seller doesn’t identify but I think it’s a Boomerang – that runs and drives.

I can’t find much information on Union Holland, but this example is believed to be a ’59 and it features a Sachs motor with a 2-speed hand shift transmission. It works and 2 new tires – snag it for cheap and learn more about it as you putt around town!

Find this Union Holland moped for sale in Milwaukee, Wisconsin here on Craigslist for just $466 or best offer.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Bill K, who suggests that you get this for parade duty!

Full Mod Pitbike – Kawasaki KLX110

December 31, 2015, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Vietnam Import – 1964 Honda S90

≪ Previous: $466 – Union Holland Moped

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From its stroker crank to the custom graphics, this little pit bull will boost anyone’s paddock cred. Built from a Kawasaki KLX110, this baby beast boasts a full compliment of cosmetic and go-fast(er) bits for the sound, spunk and attitude you want. When you get serious about your race days, $3,000 will put this one on the back of your motor coach.

Find it here on Craigslist, located just south of Chicago, IL for $3,000.

Vietnam Import – 1964 Honda S90

January 6, 2016, 8:00 am

≫ Next: 2014 Honda Grom Custom

≪ Previous: Full Mod Pitbike – Kawasaki KLX110

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In 1965, my best buddy got a beautiful black Honda S90. We rode thousands of miles together and learned about motorcycle maintenance and ourselves. It was so sleek…

The S90 Honda is powered by a 89.6 cc (5.47 cid) 8 hp four stroke, air cooled, overhead cam single. It had a ‘casette’ transmission that shifted ‘one down, three up’ with neutral between 1st and second. It was a marvel for it’s time.

The frame was pressed steel for weight reduction. Hydraulic suspension fore and aft made the handling great. With near 2 gallons (US) fuel capacity the S90 had a range of 150 miles! It had no pretentions of being a dirt bike with 18 inch wheels, close fitting fenders, and narrow handlebars. It was a cruiser, plain and simple.

This particular S90 is a recent import from Vietnam. It all looks exactly correct to my memory except for the chain guard. The US variant had a simple stamped guard over the top of the chain. Otherwise, it is just as it should be. Right down to the shiny chrome gas cap.

This is a nostalgia piece for me. If you are interested, find this S90 right here on Cycle Trader in Parlin, New Jersey for $2,695. The summer of ‘65 was a great time to be alive.