Author Archives: Ian

Derbi September 26, 2016 posted by Ian

Spoiled Kids: 2006 Derbi GPR125 (REPOST)

Note: This appears to be a relist of a bike posted by Ian back in 2003. Links updated, -MG

Hey, everything can't be a Mondial Piega. Don't frown though, if Euro teens can have fun on these why can't we? A dime a dozen on the other side of the Atlantic, titled street versions here are rare.

It's got a title and more:

I bought this bike brand new in the crate and had it shipped state side at a great expense. It has just over 760 kilometers or 500 miles on it at the time of this writing. Hardly broken it yet.

These little 2 strokes came with a reliable Yamaha DT125 motor installed. This makes part access ever so easy. Has an electric start and trick under seat exhaust. Still have the nubs on the original tires.

I have done some modifications to the bike totally thousands of dollars.

Bike has been derestricted and re-geared. Removed all the emission restrictions. Installed a full Giannelli exhaust system. Changed out the non adjustable 28mm Keihin carburetor for a new tunable 28mm Dellorto carburetor. Still running a little rich for break in. Could use some fine tunning. Removed the air box and added a filter pod and Boyseen reeds. Took off the long and very ugly rear fender and made my own license plate and turn signal holder. Swapped out the rear turn signals. Added a trick little Daytona digital temp meter as the bike only had an over heated warning light. Not to partial.

Had all the black plastic body panels coated to look like carbon fiber. Can’t see this to clear in the pictures but it is really looks stunning. Changed out many fittings to aluminum and titanium. Installed a Metrakit light weight front disk.

I have all the stock parts, pipe, carburetor, rear fender, and front disk, air box, sprocket and a gasket set included. Have the owner and shop manual, extra key and tool kit too.

I love riding this bike around town but getting too old to be racing around on a 125. This bike is always a conversation piece. I was going to install a 170cc kit. But it is time for this bike to go to someone else to enjoy as I just don’t have the time to ride it anymore. Need to move on to other projects. Has clear Florida license and title, with the registration good until April 2015.

Simply put, "tiny".

If a Yamaha DT125 engine fits in there, would a Yamaha YZ125 engine fit? That frame looks like it could handle a few more ponies. I'm not so sure about the swing arm though.

The seller has a BIN of $~~5,000~~ 5,800 or make an offer.

Click here for the listing.

Ian

(Marty G/Dallaslavowner for repost)

Spoiled Kids: 2006 Derbi GPR125 (REPOST)

Ducati February 1, 2015 posted by Ian

Just Your Average Ducati (Wink, Wink): 1984 Scuderia N.C.R 600 Pantah

Update: Last posted in Jan of 2014 by Ian, it's back and the buy-it-now is now set at $37500 but offers are being accepted - Marty/Dallaslavowner

Ians post

Do we have any Monty Python fans that can give me a wink, wink; nudge, nudge, that this is just an average Ducati. All I can say is, "What a damn cool little bike."

NCR is still around and somehow still gets more wow out of what the Ducati engineers started. It's about time to exit the ultra plush RSBFS offices stage left so the seller is going to tell you the story on NCR and the 600 Pantah (by the way, he knows a hell of a lot more than me about them):

Many sucessful race bikes were made. These bikes were ridden by the likes of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in the 1972 Imola 200. Salvador Cannellas and Benjamin Grau in the Barcelona 24 hour. Vanes Francini and Mauro Ricci in the Italian Regions T.T, Wayne Gardner and Freddy Spencer. Doug Polen won two World Superbike titles in 1991 and 1992, and Ben Bostroms World Superbike title in 2000. Prehaps the most famous race bike was the Steve Wynne, Sports Motorcycles / Scuderia N.C.R 900 Formula 1 machines ridden by Mike Hailwood in his fairey tale comeback in the 1978 Isle of Man T.T Formula 1 race.

The history of the model:

After the sucessful career of the 1970s bevel drive N.C.R 900 series bikes. They turned their attention to the new for 1980 belt drive Pantah based machines. About 30 600cc T.T. F2 machines were built by Scuderia N.C.R., including another T.T winning Steve Wynne, Sports Motorcycles ridden by Tony Rutter. These bikes were later replicated by Steve and Lester Harris at Harris Performance, and Roy Thursby and sold as Moto Vecchia. Copying is after all the most sincerist form of flatery.

After the chromoly steel framed bikes were built. In 1982 Scuderia N.C.R. turned their attention to the then 'state of the art' alloy tubing. They commisioned Ducati frame builder Verlicchi, and were called Aluframes. A total of just seven frames were built.

These were sold as either 'frame only' or 'race kit' or 'road kit'. Two were sold as 'frame only'. Both were built into inexpensive club racers. One is in Belgium #40, the other in California #394. Two were sold as 'race kits'. One is in Italy and looks fantastic as an endurance racer #9. The other is in Australia and hasn't been assembled or used. Three were sold as 'road kits'. One is in Italy and looks somewhat simular to mine. The other is in Australia and looks strange with it's blue painted frame and wheels, dual seat and quiet canister exhaust. To see pictures of the others, visit superpantah.blogspot.com and search NCR.

And the info on the bike itself:

This Scuderia N.C.R 600 Pantah was first registered in 1984. The weight is just 357 Pounds (162 Kilograms). The condition is excelent, and the build quality is superb. The only minor flaw is a small dent in the N.C.R stamped exhaust system. It is also missing the rear view mirror. Make no mistake, this is the only chance you will ever have to own a genuine Scuderia N.C.R road bike. I believe this is the best of the three that have been built. The frame number reflects the original donor bike. The title is foriegn. I am selling the bike for the widow of my late friend. Expert crating is available for overseas customers. Viewing welcomed with pick up service from Nashville airport.

Here is the auction.

Ian

Just Your Average Ducati (Wink, Wink): 1984 Scuderia N.C.R 600 Pantah

Honda October 13, 2014 posted by Ian

Fast Freddie: 1984 Honda VF500 Interceptor Spencer Replica

Update 10.13.2014: We last saw this bike for sale in 2012 but it's back on eBay with an opening bid of $1,900, from the original seller I believe as well. Thanks for the heads up Marty, -dc

I bet at first glance you thought that was an old NS/NSR of some sort. For the most part we lust after close to stock two wheeled rarities here at RSBFS. Generally the more you modify a bike the more it appeals to just you. Every now and then though someone gets it right and I think we have an example here. Would your first guess have been a 1984 VF500? Liar! Yes, I know it isn't even a two stroke (like Spencers GP bikes) but excluding the chambers poking out it is a darn good replica.

As always, I wish there was more info:

1984 Honda vf 500 interceptor. Built as a tribute to Freddie Spencers gp racing bikes. Many custom and vintage parts, new tires, brake pads, ss braided brake and clutch lines, nissin brake and clutch master cylinders, tons of suspension mods. More pics can be seen at bradwsm flickr.Pictures with the number "1" in plate are the most recent, all pics are of the actual bike. This is not a show bike and it is titled and registered, so there are some scratches and imperfections

Be sure to check out his Flickr page. It has more pictures of the bike and some of his other projects that look quite interesting. It looks like he is working on a four stroke powered KR replica.

I'd love to see it without the bodywork. Is that a NS400 swing arm? It cracks me up how race like the little Interceptor looks: A+ in my book. I've been a Honda hater for years but I love this thing.

He has an auction going and a BIN of $3,500. Now of course the book value is way below that but that really doesn't sound like a bad price for a unique bike like this if the attention to detail on the build is good.

Check it out.

Ian

Bimota June 2, 2014 posted by Ian

Good From Far, Far From Good? 1998 Bimota V-Due

Update 6.1.2014: Back on eBay, this auction now features fresh pictures. Click through to see the new pics. Thanks for the heads up Marty! -dc

Update 2.13.2014: Originally we posted this V-Due in October but it's been relisted at least one other time and failed to sell at over $17k. Now it's relisted with an opening bid of $19k and no takers thus far. Thanks for the heads up from Martin and Mike. Links updated. -dc

That phrase you and your buddies used to use when checking out the ladies might also apply to the ole Bimota V-Due. The story is pretty well know by now; exotic bike builder decides to tackle the Mt. Everest of motorcycle design and it ends up locking the doors of the company in the process. The early fuel injected models became known as unrideable while the later carbed, Evo models have a pretty darn good reputation.

Bimota V-Due for sale on eBay

So what version is this one? It apparently has an updated engine that retains the factory fuel injection. As far as I knew, all the Evo models had carbs but a few individuals (not Bimota) have worked on their own to improve the original fuel injection. I was not aware of an improved V-Due engine that retained the fuel injection. Please comment away to enlighten me.

From the seller:

I purchased this bike still in the original crate (at least on the pallet that was the crate base) in September 2004. It only had factory test miles on it (21 km), and was as it left the factory. After Bimota closed for business in 2000 (before reopening in 2003), the entire Vdue segment was purchased from the creditors, and development continued on some of the engine “issues”. I was able to get and install one of the new versions of the original fuel injected engines, with improved main bearing oiling, and more accurate assembly (among other things), so it should be significantly more reliable than stock. It has been ridden only a few times (the last was Nov. 2011), for a total of 227 km.

The bike also has carbon fiber lower fairing panels, and a set of very rare titanium expansion chambers (which were almost too pretty to install on the bike!). The stock fairing panels and exhaust are included. The only flaw in the paint is a small touched up (before I got the bike) area on the corner of the fairing near the right handlebar. It was small enough that I decided not to do anything about it. The top of the fuel tank was signed by Gianluca Galasso, who was the development rider and factory racer for Bimota during that time.

Maybe it is worth buying just to be able to stare at that. Click here for an excellent read on the V-Due from Odd-bike.com.

Just some graphic close ups. Take a moment if you need to.

Join the auction fun here.

Ian

Good From Far, Far From Good? 1998 Bimota V-Due

Honda December 17, 2013 posted by Ian

RC45 Looks Without The Price And HP- 1997 Honda RVF400 NC35

Update 12.17.2013: Posted late last month, this one failed to get any bids with an opening of $10,500. It's back on eBay with a starting bid of $8500. Links updated. -dc

If you still consider America a colony, look away. While they may be a dime a dozen in the U.K. these are still rare birds here in the New World. At first glance this particular NC35 looks very sharp.

1997 Honda RVF400 for sale on eBay

As I mentioned you get the RC45 looks without losing your wallet. You aren't going to out horsepower anyone but the 400's were made for the twisties and I think give a similar experience to riding a street, 250cc two stroke.

It has some miles on it with the odometer showing 23,000.

The story on it:

YOU ARE BIDDING ON A RARE HONDA RVF400 COMMONLY CALLED AN NC35 OR BABY RC45. ONE OF HONDA'S CROWN JEWELS OF MOTORCYCLES WITH IT'S 90 DEGREE V4 RACE DERIVED ENGINE AND 250GP SIZE. IT IS IN ALL STOCK CONDITION WITH JUST OVER 23,000 MILES (I'M NOT THE FIRST OWNER. I'VE HAD IT SINCE 2005 AND IT CAME WITH A KPH TO MPH CONVERTER SO I THINK IS ALL MILES). IT INCLUDES OWNER AND SERVICE MANUALS IN JAPANESE ALONG WITH SOME SPARE PARTS (PLUGS,TURN SIGNAL, REAR PASSENGER PEGS AND OTHER SMALL MISC. PARTS. COMES WITH PIT BULL RACE STAND, ONE YEAR OLD LITHIUM BATTERY NEARLY NEW CHAIN AND SPROCKETS AND VERY GOOD CONDITION MICHELIN PILOT TIRES.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS HAS BEEN A TENDER LOVED RIDER (NEVER ABUSED- NO WHEELIES, PEG DRAGGING, TRACK DAYS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT). IT'S READY TO GO, BUT THERE ARE A FEW MINOR MARKS. THAT I HAVE TRIED TO SHOW IN PICTURES. MINOR STONE NICKS IN FRONT COWL, SMALL SCRATCH IN BLACK BY SEAT, MINOR RUST ON CHROME EXHAUST SHIELD, SLIGHT FOGGING OF PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENS, SMALL NICK IN PAINT ON TANK (MOST OF THESE WERE THERE WHEN I BOUGHT IT). THESE ARE ALL VERY MINOR BUT I WANT TO POINT THEM OUT SO EVERYONE IS HAPPY AT THE END OF THE DEAL

That front end still says Suzuka to me.

It's clean, it's stock and it's rare but I have a feeling the price will be an issue. The bidding starts at $10,500. I'm a fan of all the 400's but the fact is they just don't command the dollars. On the other hand, nice examples like this don't appear for sale all that often; decisions, decisions.

Click here for the auction.

Ian

RC45 Looks Without The Price And HP- 1997 Honda RVF400 NC35

Honda December 12, 2013 posted by Ian

Rule The Subdivision: Titled 2004 Honda NSR50

Tell your friends to put away their YSR50's and tell your neighbors there is a new sheriff in town! While it isn't too hard to find an NSR50, I can't remember seeing one with a title. The seller has done the work for you, now you just need to put the finishing touches on it to be the GP king of the neighborhood. That is, until the next home owners meeting and they ban you from the holiday party.

The seller has an auction going starting at $3,400 and a BIN of $4,000.

Click here for the auction.