Author Archives: Donn

Suzuki October 8, 2019 posted by Donn

Spring has Sprung – 1982 Suzuki GSX-1100SXZ Katana

– At least in the seller’s Cape Town home. This low-mile Katana is an excellent original and unusual -SXZ variant that was only offered south of the equator.

1982 Suzuki GSX-1100SXZ ( South Africa ) for sale on eBay

As 1980 approached, Suzuki was having its way on the track and in the showroom, and the SXZ was specified by the New Zealand importer to homologate the model for racing down that way. Beside the radical look of the Hans Muth design, these Katanas came with spoked wheels ( 18-inch rear ), bigger brakes, carburettors and exhaust, and performance camshafts. Actual tech for the time meant air cooling, right-side-up forks, and twin shocks. Even with power bumped up from the usual -S’s 111 hp, the 500-plus pound dry weight was undeniable. But it made for a great endurance racer and GT.

This owner has had some knowledge of the SXZ’s special lineage, and preserved it beautifully. Some close-up details would be nice, but metals and finishes look close to faultless in what’s shown here. Most bikes closing in on their 40th birthday have had some degree of customization, but this Katana is very original.

I am the second owner of this very special Katana for the past twenty-six years.

The mileage is low for the age of the vehicle.

In total, she has done just over 17,000 Km (10,493 miles) of which I have done about 7,500 Km (4,630 miles) during my 26 years of ownership.

She is in mint condition, well maintained and recently serviced.

The factory’s change to an 18-inch rear wheel is puzzling, maybe it was deemed the easiest way to increase ground clearance and decrease the rake angle, lending more quickness to the steering head. The up-and-coming GSX-R put the kibosh on the Katana’s racing career, but the model has had a lasting impact on Suzuki’s stable, being revived this year as a 2020 model. For a fan with the time and resources for an international purchase, this looks like a special opportunity.

-donn

Spring has Sprung – 1982 Suzuki GSX-1100SXZ Katana

Ducati October 4, 2019 posted by Donn

Featured Listing – Early Production 1994 M900 Monster

Update 10.04.2019: This Monster is now on eBay. Good luck to buyers and seller! -dc

Up for grabs is a tidy, near-stock 1993/4 Ducati Monster in classic Ducati Red. The owner has traced the VIN to production in July of 1993, making this part of the first 6 months of Monster production. Largely credited as the bike that saved Ducati, this Monster remains almost exactly as designer Miguel Galuzzi intended.

1994 M900 Monster with 7,600 Miles!

Even Ducati couldn’t have foreseen the long legs of the Monster, but all agree that this 1st generation Monster is a classic, as it represents the purest of the line. It was set up at the factory with off-the-shelf parts, but they built an honest, well appointed bike when Ducati needed it.

These early 900c “L-twin” (or a 90 degree V-Twin) breathe through a pair of Mikuni carburetors, and put out near 70hp at the rear wheel. Even at the price point, they included inverted front forks, dual disks up front with 4-piston Brembos, and a lot of other nice touches that remain on this mostly stock example. The same cost-saving mandate also dictated the now-iconic trellis frame, which defines the line of the bike.

While the Monster is the most numerous bike Ducati has ever produced, less than 2,000 of the first year were imported to the U.S., making this a very collectible motorcycle for the real Ducati lover.

This specific example looks very clean, with only 7,600 miles on the clock. The bike is 100% stock, except for tasteful low-mount slip-ons. The owner notes a small knick on the left side of the tank from a handlebar lock-up, but other than that things seem excellent all around.

Though it looks great without them, the stock mirrors will be included in the transaction. The owner states the bike has clean Illinois title. Bike will come with original manual, paperwork detailing 6,000 mile service completed in 2017. RSBFS reader Daniel is asking $9,499 for his chapter in Ducati history, and requests replies via text on (212) 256-8475. Shipping to the lower 48 states is included in the purchase price; bike is currently located in Central Florida.

If the spirit of the early Monsters moves you, it would make sense to act now, before scarcity and nostalgia for these now 25 year-old bikes kicks in and drives prices up.

-donn

Featured Listing – Early Production 1994 M900 Monster

Buell October 4, 2019 posted by Donn

Black and Blue – 2008 Buell 1125R

Not often seen with the factory full fairing, this early 1125R has been on display since just 1,385 miles. Dusky blue wheels and frame set off the gloss black fairings, all in excellent shape.

2008 Buell 1125R with just 1,385 miles !

In its first Rotax year, Buell was just getting to know the Austrian V-twin with 146 hp. 5.6 gallons of fuel was carried in the frame, more central than the “tank” looks. The engine is dry-sumped so the muffler is underneath the block instead of engine oil. Buell’s Zero Torque Load brake is up front, its 375mm rotor bolted to the rim with the caliper inboard. The composite drive belt saves 4 pounds of unsprung weight and a lot of fussing. The side-by-side nose is nicely resolved and fairing lowers incorporate the cooling air scoops.

Shown by what seems to be the original owner, this late Buell has been carefully garaged, and might only need new rubber to take command of the road. Small turn signals replace the factory mirror mounts. Comments from the eBay auction:

this bike has only 1,385 miles on it, adult owned, never in rain or dropped or raced…comes with all stock parts and a full factory shop manual….has Eric Buell performance computer, Barker exhaust, flush turn signals, bar end mirrors…stock tires and rear should be replaced due to some checking from age…bike is like new…full optional fairing…

After 15 years of H-D factory support ( it would last just one more year ), the 1125R had sharp production engineering, low maintenance demands, and monstrous power and torque curves. With just a couple of mods, this one is quite close to a new machine and apparently mishap-free. Not so many pictures, but more could be requested, and the Make Offer button beckons.

-donn

Suzuki October 3, 2019 posted by Donn

RRoarr – 1989 Suzuki GSX-R750RK(RR)

Sold while this post was being edited, maybe to a reader ? Still worth a look… Donn

Regular readers might recognize the Disney cells and beige carpet before even clicking through to this listing, but this is one of this collector’s finer examples. Also one of the most legendary Gixxers, returning to the longer stroke engine and uber rare with just 500 examples worldwide.

1989 Suzuki GSX-R750RK(RR) for sale on eBay

With its 40mm semi-flatslide “slingshot” Mikuni carburettors, the 748cc four was a nice upgrade from the H variant with 112 hp on tap. The alloy frame was compact thanks to the 1988 update, still air and oil cooled with a two stage oil pump. Fully adjustable 43mm forks and Full Floater monoshock are a gift and a challenge, requiring a studious wrench and some time to get right. Figure in some break time as well, since the high footpegs, low clip-ons and hard seat challenge the rider. In neighborhood of 450 lbs. ready to ride, it wasn’t super light, but was trim for the day.

Somehow wheeled onto the carpet after just over 1,000 miles, this RR is collector quality with original fairings and paint. The Yoshimura carbon muffler lets you know you didn’t just pass through a galactic wormhole. Its age shows only in the tank protector which has accumulated some dirt under one edge, otherwise it’s the time traveler. From the eBay auction:

GR79C with only 1,675 kilometers (1,041 miles). All fairings are 100% original OEM factory Suzuki. Bike is in mint as new condition. Museum collector quality! Almost flawless. Original mirrors show patina in the glass reflection. Light tiny surface scratches on the right side of the swing arm by the stand bolt. Clear tank protector installed and has a dirty edge. The rest of the bike is mint. Bike has been de-restricted. Comes with a Yoshimura full exhaust system and Ohlins fully adjustable rear shock. Original stock exhaust system and stock shock in new condition go with bike. Those parts were removed and replaced with the upgraded components when the bike was purchased new. (Original parts are worth thousands alone.) Bike shows no signs of rust or corrosion. Original owner said it was cherished and always stored indoors and never ridden in the rain. No signs of wear on the bike. Comes with two original keys and fresh tires. This bike looks like a bike should with only a thousand miles on the odometer. Looks like it was just rolled off the assembly line. Chassis and engine are spotless. Bike runs as good as it looks. Extremely well cared for.

It would be a stretch to consider this museum piece for an afternoon’s pleasure, but it could happen. Like jumping in a 30 year-old Porsche 964 Turbo, or V-Tailed Beech Bonanza, you’d want to take a short shakedown cruise, stop, look it over, then have a serious discussion with the mirror.

-donn

Ducati September 30, 2019 posted by Donn

99% Super – 2002 Ducati 900 Sport

Early Oughties, Ducati’s new Supersport was struggling in the showrooms, and the company introduced a budget-conscious 900 to generate interest. Not often seen, this Sport model shows just over 5,000 miles and looks great.

2002 Ducati 900 Sport for sale on eBay

Reading the specs, the down-rated Sport has just a few differences with the Supersport. The 904cc air cooler puts out a reliable 80 hp, with Marelli fuel injection for the new century. Trellis and forks were from the SS, though the monoshock was Showa rather than Sachs. A bit finicky to find brake specs but likely the same 320mm Brembos are aboard. Saving on finishing costs, most Sports arrived in semi-gloss black with an integral tank protector and dual seat, though this one’s tail has been changed to a monoposto with bespoke seat.

Despite three custodians, this Sport has low miles and niceties like a Silmoto exhaust, clear signal lenses, double bubble Zero Gravity screen, plus gold anodized frame caps and clutch cover. From the eBay auction:

1992 Ducati 900 Sport…NOT Super Sport. Condition is Used. Third owner, purchased in 2012. Open clutch cover. Lots of nice $$ bits. Small ding on the tank where the bars must have hit it. You really can’t see it…The timing belts have been done. Completely gone through. Almost new tires. I’ve ridden only 65 miles. Currently shaving down the fleet. Starts easy…thunderous. I have the owners manual.

While not nothing, the $1,400 MSRP difference between the 2002 Sport and Supersport beg the question of which model was intended to subsidize the other. Of course, list price is just an ask and a lot of the Terblanche Sport ( and SS ) facelifts left the showroom on sale. At this point though, a lot of water has passed under the bridge, the rounded turn-of-the-century design has aged well, and even the Sport can be appreciated as an air-cooled classic whose sole compromise to modernity is fuel injection. Even with its sensible starting amount, this no-reserve auction hasn’t yet garnered a bid, but this could be a bunch of SS for mere Sport money.

-donn

Aprilia September 27, 2019 posted by Donn

Truth or Dare – 2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Bol D’Or

While Aprilia has a long successful history racing their smaller machines, they took their liter twin endurance racing in 2006, learned a lot and did well to boot. The Bol D’Or commemorative was a great limited edition paint scheme on the already nicely spec’d RSV1000R, and this example is outstanding with low miles.

2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Bol D’Or for sale on eBay

Since its debut in 1998, the RSV has used the dry-sumped V-twin from Rotax, in magnesium cases. The gear-chain combo driving double overhead cams gives a distinctive sound on its way to 143 hp and 79 ft.-lbs. torque. An Öhlins forks and steering damper are found at the front of the twin-spar alloy frame, and a Sachs monoshock takes care of the symmetrical banana swingarm. Engine vacuum on over-run actuates the factory slipper clutch, and monoblock Brembo brakes claim the first road-going radial master cylinder. The cockpit reviewed as comfortable even in the fairing’s drag-reducing design.

This RSV has covered under 7,000 miles over its eleven years, and appears original and excellent. The tires look fresh and the owner advises a recent oil change in the eBay auction – nice of the owner to include the stands.

Bike is in great condition. The look of this bike will definitely get you some attention. Never been down and always kept in a garage with a cover. Well maintained, serviced regularly with oil change in the last past 2 months. It has two little marks in the paint. One of the pictures has it shown. Comes with cover and Pit Bull Lifts.

The Rotax powered Aprilia can be a good candidate for purchase in the middle-aged-but-barely-used category, since the valve adjustment interval is 12,500 miles and the all-metal cam drive ages gracefully. This one doesn’t appear to have been near a racetrack, but RSV’s are set up for it, with no hanging signal lights, once the mirrors are removed all you need is some tape. Or though it might be easier said than done, vow to ride it within limits on the street, and keep it extra nice.

-donn

Truth or Dare – 2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Bol D’Or

Kawasaki September 23, 2019 posted by Donn

Before Kris – 1988 Kawasaki KR-1

Kawasaki had a tiger by the tale in 1988, and for a season or two the KR-1 bested every RGV, TZR and NSR. Coming out of a collection, this KR-1 looks to have missed the scrapes most 250cc two-strokes got caught up in.

1988 Kawasaki KR-1 for sale on eBay

Kawasaki’s 249cc two-stroke might have been furthest from a real race bike, as there wasn’t a factory presence in the 250 category. Still the snappy parallel twin, with balance shaft, was eminently tuneable and the package very light. The 55 hp produced by the Integrated Power Valve System worked beautifully with just 271 lbs. of dry weight. The frame looked overbuilt but was a light alloy, and 41mm forks were up front with dual discs. Out back there was the Uni-Trak monoshock and an 18-inch rear wheel. Pillion accommodations put the lie to racey looking bodywork.

This Seattle owner has a few classic sportbike auctions going, and goes into detail about their KR-1:

Recently completely serviced and detailed with clear Washington state title. The KR-1 is considered to be the fastest and more lively two stroke 250 sports bike compared to all the other models in its class. The model was never imported in to the USA and is probably the rarest model in the 250cc two stroke sports bike category around the world. This particular Kawasaki KR-1 has just 8,298 miles, the bike is mostly all original and in exceptional preserved condition.

The body work is all original and is in very good condition, there are absolutely no cracks on any of the body panels but there are some minor nicks and scrapes. The wheels are perfect with no rock chips or scratches anywhere. The frame and engine have no major corrosion and are nice and clean. Overall cosmetically this bike is in very nice condition.

The bike runs and rides great, and shifts smoothly through all 6 gears. The carburetors were recently ultrasonically cleaned and adjusted, and a full service tune-up was performed which included new spark plugs, chain, air filter, brake pads, oil change, new tires, and fluids flushed. All of the lighting, switches, and electrical components work as they should.

These bikes were never imported into the USA, and very few were exported outside of Japan to any other countries so this is a very rare Kawasaki model.

Kawi and Suzuki traded the “fastest 250” back and forth a few times, with the KR-1S snatching it back before the factory decided to focus on their four stroke offerings. Though Suzuki had staying power, the KR-1 stole the moment in the very late -80’s. Early interest in the auction says the hammer might fall at a high price, but the new owner will have a sparkling and rare example.

-donn

Ducati September 19, 2019 posted by Donn

NIH – 1993 Ducati 350 SS

RSFBS readers might not care about the National Institutes of Health or the Not Invented Here corporate posture – but a small sporty Ducati that was Never Imported Here might raise a few eyebrows. This 350cc twin is built on the early 1990’s engineering and shows nicely with just under 10,000 miles.

1993 Ducati 350SS for sale on eBay

Built for the progressive license markets in Japan and Italy, the 350SS ( and sibling 400SS ) used the frame from the 750SS and were variously equipped with 2-into-1 or dual exhausts. Just like its big brother, a 6-speed, Showa inverted forks and Brembo brakes were part of the package. Equipped for a passenger, but gently with 36 hp. From thirty feet it’s almost indistinguishable from the bigger bikes.

Over a generation old, this 350SS won’t need to conform to EPA regulations, but the owner is selling on a bill of sale so title will be required for street reg. Looks very stock and quite nice, evidently kept out of harm’s way. From the eBay auction:

BE THE ONLY ONE TO SHOW UP ON A 350, NEVER SEEN IN USA !!!!!!
VERY RARE AND UNIQUE 350 CC DUCATI SPORT, MADE ONLY FOR THE EUROPEAN MARKET, ALSO SOLD IN JAPAN.
SPEEDO SHOW IN KILOMETERS WHICH EQUAL 9994 MILES. RUNS WELL, VERY CLEAN ALL OVER.

Seeing the full-sized Supersport with a junior engine, some riders ask why. But it might be the perfect bike for an adult fan to take to the track, with roomy cockpit and sensible power. Add in the parts availability and the fact that any indie Ducati mechanic can work on it, and it’s got a lot going for it. Relatively budget-minded, certainly a special interest machine, the little SS allows ( forces ? ) a rider to work on technique.

– donn