Posts published by “Mike”

Very European – 1991 Bimota Tesi 1D

Published May 23, 2023 by Mike

Always a welcome find on the pages of RSBFS, the ultra unique, ultra Italian, ultra rare Bimota Tesi 1D is a Ducati-powered masterpiece. Designed as a replacement for the traditional, telescopic front fork, the hub-center steering works in conjunction with a forward-facing swingarm to isolate braking forces from regular suspension duties. The effect, while visually arresting, is essentially normal from a rider’s perspective. Far more elegant than the mechanical and hydraulic anti-dive fork units developed in the 1980s, the funny front end (FFE) design trends of the 1990s eventually devolved back into additional development of the front fork. Thankfully, delightful examples of the experimental phase of motorcycle front suspension remain with models such as the Yamaha GTS, the Honda Elf experimental racers, the Nicco Baker QCS, and the amazing series of Tesis offered by Bimota. Today’s 1991 Bimota Tesi 1D has fewer than 1,000 miles, is located in Germany, and looks just about perfect. The seller has a lot to say about this unicorn, so read on!

1991 Bimota Tesi 1D for sale on eBay

From the seller:
Original Bimota Tesi 1D 904
The holy grail of motorcycle history…
Just 1 of 20 builts worldwide

This 1991 Bimota Tesi 1D 904 was ordered new in pre-delivery condition by an Italian collector and was on display until 2005 when it was purchased by its last owner (owner of a well-known high-end motorcycle manufacturer).

The motorcycle was then exhibited in Europe to this day.
Bimota produced several variants of the Tesi from 1990 to 1993, with the 904 originally being built for private racing. This example features a 904cc Ducati L-Twin mated to a six-speed gearbox and is finished in white and red with green accents.

Equipment includes front and rear double swingarms, hub-centered front wheel steering, Marzocchi monoshocks, Marchesini wheels, Brembo triple disc brakes and a racing seat.

This 904 is offered by the current owner with metric dashboard, owner’s manual, original Bimota wheel stand, original Bimota red cover and a clean Italian title.

More from the seller:
Bimota built just 20 examples of the 904 in 1991 and 1992 out of a total of 413 Tesi models produced from 1990 to 1993, with each example costing around US$45,000 new.

Finished in red, white and green, this bike features a racing-style solo seat, matching mirrors, street lights, license plate bracket and a see-through windshield.

White Marchesini wheels with three spokes front and rear. Suspension consists of Marzocchi monoshocks mounted on double-sided swingarms at both ends, with the front also featuring hub-centric steering linkages.

The triple Brembo disc brakes are finished with a yellow zinc coating and feature Tesi 1D specific front rotors.

Clip-on handlebars are mounted below the top triple clamp.

The liquid-cooled 904cc L-twin was developed by Ducati based on their 888cc platform and features a stroked crankshaft, four desmodromically-controlled valves per cylinder, and Weber electronic fuel injection.

The motorcycle has only run 1,337 km (835 Miles). For the best possible conservation purpose, the engine oil and brake fluid were nevertheless changed every 2 years, most recently in June 2021. A major service with a change of the drive belts is recommended before commissioning. The six-speed gearbox is connected to the rear wheel via a drive chain.

One tool kits, an owner’s manual, Original Bimota wheel stand, a red Original Bimota indoor cover and two keys are included in the sale.

From the “if you have to ask…” department, the price for this one is going up – and fast. Quickly bid to up over $20k, this bike still has a reserve in place with a few days to go. Undoubtedly a museum piece, it would be glorious to see and hear this one roar! These are about as rare as a factory motorcycle can get, and caries with it a sense of the future. Now 32 years on from its release this bike still offers a sense of Buck Rogers wonderment. The details and pictures from the seller are well worth the deeper dive – check out all of the details on this one HERE. Good Luck!!

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Opposite of Boring – 1983 Suzuki GSX 1260 Katana

Published May 17, 2023 by Mike

A bit of an overbore? Heck yes! A bit boring? Never! The legendary Suzuki Katana from the early 1980s continues to defy description. Essentially a period GS model with funny bodywork, the Katana pushed Suzuki into a class of its own and anointed the Hamamatsu factory as King of the Hot Rods. Today’s RSBFS find is a 1983 Katana 1100 model that has had some very cool resto-mods and a few more cubic centimeters ADDED. The seller should be well known on these pages, as his bikes have been featured more than a few times. As always, this one is beautiful and well presented. If you lust after a Katana but don’t really want that vintage vibe, check this one out:

1983 Suzuki GSX 1260 Katana for sale on eBay

From the seller:
COMING OUT OF MY PERSONAL COLLECTION IS ONE OF MY LOW MILAGE 1983 SUZUKI KATANA 1100’s. SHE IS IN AMAZING RESTORED CONDITION AND HAS BEEN MY FAVORITE KATANA’s TO RIDE. YES LUCKY ME I HAVE A FEW OF THESE AMAZING PIECES OF HISTORY. THIS KATANA HAS BEEN PROFESSIONALLY BUILT TO RUN LIKE A MORE MODERN BIKE. SHE UNDERWENT A FRAME OFF FULL RESTORATION A FEW YEARS AGO AND IS STILL A SHOW WINNER. THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY STRIPED AND REPAINTED IN THE CORRECT SILVER AND THE WHEELS THE SAME. THE BODY WORK UNDERWENT THE SAME METICULOUS RESTORATION PROCESS. WITH ONLY A MINOR BLEMISH HERE OR THERE NOTHING TO EVEN POINT OUT. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO LARGE OVER SIZED FRONT DISCS WITH DUAL PISTON CALIPERS AND SS BRAKE LINES. SHE HAS NEW MICHELIN PILOT ACTIV TYRES AND IS SPORTING OHLINS REAR SHOCKS. THE FRONT FORKES WE REBUILT AND THE ANTI DIVE WORKS PERFECTLY. THE ENGINE HAS 1200 MILES SINCE THE BUILD.

THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SET UP WITH JE 1260 CC PISTON KIT, MILD PORTING AND POLISHING OF THE HEAD, STREET CAMS, HD CLUTCH BASKET AND CLUTCH, UNDERCUT TRANSMISSION, AND A SET OF MIKUNI FLAT SLIDE CARBS WITH K&N PODS,, DYNA IGNITION WITH HIGH OUTPUT COILS AND A MSD MC1, A PERIOD CORRECT KERKER 4 INTO 1 HEADER THAT SOUNDS AWSOME.

THIS BIKE IS TUNED TO PERFECTION, SHE RUNS AS STONG AS ANY MODERN BUSA OR NINJA.

More from the seller:
I HAVE BEEN BUILDING, CUSTOMIZING, REPAIRING, RACING, AND COLLECTING UNIQUE BIKES SINCE GRADUATING FROM AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE INSTITUTE “AMI” IN 1980. I ONLY HAVE THE BEST BIKES IN MY COLLECTION. I WAS JUST AWARDED MOTOR CYCLE COLLECTOR OF THE YEAR AT THE BOCA RATON CONCOURS D’ ELEGANCE 2023. SO I GUESS I KNOW BIKES 🙂

THERE IS OVER $30,000 INVESTED INTO THE RESTORATION OF THIS BIKE SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS DEAL. DON’T MISS OUT SHE WILL ONLY APPRECIATE UNLIKE YOUR WIFES HANDBAG AND SHOE COLLECTION AND THIS IS FUN TO RIDE!!!

The earliest generation Katanas continue to be hot property in the collector world. Part of the reason is that the bike is such a visceral standout from the UJM sport bike. Another factor is the nostalgic element, as many riders were not in a position to purchase one of these monsters back in the day (still in high school, not even born, etc), while that may be possible for some today. So if you fall into that category – and if you are not in the market for a zero mile, perfectly original OEM example – here is a fantastic opportunity to fulfill that dream. You could not build this for the price today. Check out all of the details on this hot rodded hot rod RIGHT HERE. Good luck, and make sure to tell them you found it on RSBFS!

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Rare Zoot -1985 Yamaha RZ500

Published May 16, 2023 by Mike

Originally available in Canada as one of those morsels of forbidden sport fruit taunting US riders from just over the border, this 1985 Yamaha RZ500 now resides in the US of A down Florida way and is looking for a new home. Sporting updated expansion chamber pipes, a steering damper and a few more stickers than your average display queen, this RZ looks to be largely uncut and in good shape for the approximately 18,600 miles shown on the all KM clocks. The big V4 RZ two-stroke is getting more and more rare as the years go by, so finding one to love and to hold can be a daunting task.

1985 Yamaha RZ500 for sale on eBay

From the seller:
Rare Canada model rz500 ,not rz350 rzv500 rd500 , clear title in my name ready for transfer , runs rides shift as it should has performance pipes and air filters , see stock components in pictures , comes with support products see pictures also a new body in box that i got out of florida / not china . it does have new tires ,brakes and fully serviced ready to ride . I did not think i would ever sell this bike as it always was a dream bike but ordered a new dodge demon 170

The seller has posted a video of the bike showing its condition in a walkaround format. You can watch the video on YouTube HERE

From a pricing perspective the big RZ is an ever-appreciating asset. The market has yet to top out on these, and we have seen them hovering just under – as well as over – the $20k mark for some time. This particular example is being offered in a Buy It Now only format, with the price set at $25,150. The seller is open to offers, however, so there may be room to move if you are looking to move one of these smokers into your stable. You can check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Find cool RZ500 parts and spares on eBay!

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Big Green Monster – 1984 Rickman Kawasaki KZ1000J

Published April 27, 2023 by Mike

Listed as no longer available before we had a chance to post it, this relative bargain of a Rickman beauty went quickly! MI

Another day, another beautiful example of a British Bimota. If you missed out on the Rickman CR900 Kawi last week (or found it a bit too rich for your blood), today finds us with yet another unique Rickman opportunity. This time we are looking at a bare-frame build of a Kawasaki KZ1000, looking every inch the bad-ass Superbike that would have ruled the roost back in the day. This was about as good as internal combustion life got back before the technological arms race started up and left the dinosaurs behind. Until that happened, this 1984 Rickman-framed liter bike must have been near the top of the performance heap.

1984 Rickman Kawasaki KZ1000J for sale on eBay

From the seller:
1984 Rickman Kawasaki 1000. These were built by two brothers in England from the early 60s until the mid 80s.

These are super rare and each one is unique to the buyer. No two are alike. When you bought one you had a choice of different engines, forks, shocks and brakes. A very much one off bike.

The frames were made out of 531 Renolds tubing and then were nickel plated.

Its a little grumpy to start when its cold, because of the Mikuni 33 carbs on it.

Engine was rebuilt with new seals bearings and rings, everything was checked and put back together.

It has all the original racing parts. This is a very fast motorcycle!

Unlike the earlier CR build, this bike is looking downright affordable with a Buy It Now of only $8,000. While the naked bike look might not look as flash as the faired in CR, the performance is certainly there. This bike seems to offer a real hot rod experience with some top shelf components (for the day), and the Kawi lime green offers a slightly softer appearance than the dayglo green of the CR. This is a bike with some serious swagger, and would look at home in any garage, man cave, track day, coffee meet or canyon. It really won’t last long at this price, either. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

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Track Day Tuesday – TWO 1977 Honda MT125R racers!

Published April 25, 2023 by Mike

For this morning’s Track Day Tuesday segment – rapidly becoming my favorite on RSBFS – we have a real life The Matrix moment. Will you take the red pill or the blue one? Because this morning we have two ultra-rare factory Honda customer race bikes from two different sellers. Sure, some of you were just getting around to being born when these rolled out of the Honda Racing Service Center assembly area of the fabled Honda factory, but they are certainly worth the look. Powered by 125cc two stroke engines, the MT125R was meant to be a rung on the ladder for racers looking to turn pro in the bigger classes. Offered for only a couple of years (1977-1978) but officially imported into North America as a off-road only motorcycle, finding one MT125R is a rarity in itself. Finding two in this type of condition is, well, exactly what we strive to do on RSBFS.

The ~~beating~~ buzzing heart of the MT125R is a single 123cc cylinder featuring air cooling and a single carb. You’d be forgiven if you thought this looks like most of Honda’s single cylinder, small-bore engines – and you’d also be correct. The MT125R is essentially a CR125 Elsinore motor, although in the earliest builds the MT had specific engine part numbers that were unique to the model; in the later incarnations, they utilized common CR parts in a shared arrangement. The only real difference between the CR and the MT was the shift pattern: The MT125R utilizes a road racing “reverse” shift pattern while the CR adopted the conventional one down, 5 up pattern in the common 6-speed box.

The RED Pill – 1977 Honda MT125R

From the seller:
FOR SALE IS A VERY RARE VINTAGE GRAND PRIX MOTORCYCLE. MADE BY HONDA FROM 1977 TO 1978. ONLY 400 WERE SOLD BY HONDA TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ENGINE 123CC 2 STROKE AIR COOLED SINGLE CYLINDER 6 SPEED, POWER 26 HP, FIBERGLASS TANK, FAIRING AND SEAT COWL, TACHOMETER, MECHANICAL FRONT DISC BRAKES. THIS SWEET LITTLE BIKE HAS MATCHING NUMBERS. NO MOLESTATION AND IS COMPLETLY ORIGINAL. A TRUE PIECE OF MOTERCYCLE RACING HISTORY CAN BE YOURS. THIS BIKE HAS BEEN SETTING AS A TROPHY PIECE AND HAS NOT BEEN FIRED UP OR RACED IN OVER 20 YEARS. HAS SOME MINOR FLAWS IN PAINT AS CAN BE SEEN IN PHOTOS. BIKE IS SOLD IN AS IS CONDITION. BIKE COMES WITH ORIGINAL PROP STAND.

Click here for details on this RED 1977 Honda MT125!

The BLUE pill – 1977 Honda MT125R

Honda 1977 MT125RR ROAD RACER.
Extremely rare original production model.
Bike is in prestine condition and ready to race or add to your collection
6 speed 25hp 2t capable of going 120+ mph. Every component of this Bike is engineered to dominate the track
Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of honda racing history.

Click here for details on this BLUE 1977 Honda MT125!

This is a choose your own adventure Track Day Tuesday. Do you choose the red pill (bike) or the blue one? Both look awesome, and both could spin up those 25-or-6 mighty horses to wipe those baby Ninjas, R3s and KTMs right into the marbles. If you can fit on one of these – and if you can keep the tach above 9k or so – speedy forward progress is yours for the taking. Check out both bikes via the links above, and get out there and strafe an apex. Good Luck!!

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Small World – 1981 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans II

Published April 21, 2023 by Mike

Since the mid-1970s Moto Guzzi has been making the world a smaller place, thanks to their version of high-speed executive transport. Much like their BMW cousins, these Italian twins are well renowned for eating up the miles and shortening the distance between two points. Created originally as a sport bike to go up against fellow Italian firms such as Laverda and Ducati – not to mention the Japanese Big Four – the relatively uncompetitive LeMans instead was pushed into a sport tourer role where it met with critical success. Built from 1976 through 1992, today’s 1981 example is a Mark II version, sporting the larger fairing indicative of the sport touring goal.

1981 Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans II for sale on eBay

From the seller:
I am riding this bike for the last 10 year and it never let me down, I always take a very good care of this beauty.

It has been carefully stored in a garage.It has good engine start ability and revving.
Almost everything on this bike is original.
Electrical equipment operation OK.

Lots of fun riding this beast, if you have any questions I am here to help.

This bike – available on the US eBay site – is actually located in Tokyo, Japan. It features fully metric gauges showing 26k+ KMs, which equates to roughly 16,500 miles. There is some key rash on the top cover of the triple clamps, and the fairing lowers have some nicks and scratches. What it does not show is the type of corrosion we typically see from bikes in this area of this world. By all accounts this has been a well cared for motorcycle, despite living far from its point of origin. You can check out all of the pictures (including walk around video) here. And then start planning that crazy world trip that has been on your bucket list since you first learned to ride. Good Luck!!

One Response.

I Was Framed! 1975 Rickman Kawasaki CR900

Published April 19, 2023 by Mike

In the 1970s and 1980s the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers made huge strides in terms of technology, performance and reliability. The engines were more powerful than ever. Gearboxes had evolved from 4 to 5-speed units with crisp action. But somehow the chassis side of the business languished; the frame tech of the Big Four was way behind the power curve – quite literally. Enter smaller boutique builders looking to add substance to the rest of the package by way of wrapping all of the goodness in a custom built frame. One of the earliest players in this space was Rickman. Today’s Rickman CR900 looks great in its original dayglo green paintwork, and is a great example from this period.

1975 Rickman Kawasaki CR900 for sale on eBay

Brothers Derek and Don started their eponymous company back in 1960, originally upgrading scramblers and dirt bikes before turning their attention to racers and road bikes. The frames themselves were pieces of art in a totally functional manner; thicker, more heavily braced and much stiffer than any OEM unit. They were also beautiful, nickel-plated affairs (although the nickname for a Rickman frame is “Metisse” which means mongrel in French). In the case of the CR900, motive power was taken from a donor Z1, and the rest of the bike was fitted with upgraded suspension and braking components before receiving beautiful fiberglass bodywork.

From the seller:
1975 Rickman Kawasaki CR900. Here’s your chance to own a Rickman at a very attractive price-don’t wait 5 years from now when they might be going for $30k! This is 1 of 1,258 Rickman’s produced from 1974-1981. This is also 1 of 299 Rickmans produced in 1975. Rare long tank/short seat version. This Rickman has been restored to as close to original spec as possible after the previous owner converted it to a sport tourer. It is powered by a 1975 Kawasaki Z1 engine with @4,422 miles showing on the donor bike speedo(true mileage unknown). It has a high quality aluminum tank that was supposedly made by the guys that made the frame (per the previous owner-but I have no proof of this). It has a period correct Hooker 4 into 4 exhaust system. A picture of an ad from Cycle World Magazine circa 1975 is included with the pics verifying the system does exist-as I never knew Hooker made such a system. It still has the original Rickman aluminum chain guard-which a lot of Rickmans tend not to have. The forks are also original spec Rickman. The headlight fairing mount seems to be for some other model Rickman as it does not fit perfectly(Rickman CR750 Honda maybe?)-I had to fabricate aluminum(to keep it as light as possible) brackets to mount the fairing. The 2 lower fairing mounts are the correct Rickman ones.

More from the seller:
The bike is 5 VIN’s numbers away from the Rickman Craig Vetter (official Rickman importer) used to ride to a 3rd place finish in the Café Class at Daytona in 1975. The bike was accepted into the prestigious invitation only Boca Raton Concours De Elegance in 2019.

The tach and speedo is a tight fit in the fairing and makes the slightest of rubbing when you make any turns.

More from the seller:
The nickel plating on the frame is bright and shiny. The paint is brand new and concours quality. The windshield is a brand new genuine Gustafsson screen. The battery is 2 years old. It has a battery tender lead connector for charging. I fabricated some silencers for the exhaust system as it was a bit loud for the neighbors-but the fabrication is totally reversible. The bike has a clean and clear Florida title in my name.

Rickman bikes were originally frame kits, requiring owners to source a donor motorcycle and perform the assembly. By the early 1970s they were producing full on motorcycles, usually based on Honda or Kawasaki power. By the mid to late 1970s the Rickman brothers sold the company, which – following a short chain of custodians – continues to this day. These are justifiably rare machines that really show the potential of the 1970s. And while some may think they lack the “motorcycle as art” mentality of say Bimota, one has to only look closely to see that a Rickman has only what it needs to perform, without unnecessary farkles. This mean green 1975 Rickman CR900 is based in Florida, and has a starting bid price tag of $18,000. You can check it out here, including a walk around video. Good Luck!!

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Track Day Tuesday – 1982 Suzuki Katana GS 1260 Race Bike

Published April 18, 2023 by Mike

Welcome to Track Day Tuesday – and do we have a doozy for you! Start with one of the most stunning examples of styling that came out of the 1980s, and then stuff it full of 1260cc honest to goodness, old-school GS four-cylinder power. Upgrade the suspension with beefier parts. Upgrade the brakes with bigger and better components. Give it some interesting history and what you have is the stuff of track day dreams (or nightmares, if the thought of a 171 HP Katana scares you a bit). Check this bad boy out!

1982 Suzuki Katana GS 1260 Race Bike for sale on eBay

From the seller:
1982 Suzuki Katana GS 1260 Race bike. Excellent condition. Completely rebuilt engine built by Frank Lyons PNW Machining. 171 HP EVERYTHING NEW!. Custom 1150 ported head. Pearson Crank, Web Cams #212, Katana rods, JE Pistons, 28mm/24mm Stainless Kibblewhite valves/ springs. Custom Slipper Clutch. Can be started by remote hand held starter or rollers.CR37mm Keihins. Dynatek 2000i Ignition. Custom adjustable triple tree with extra slugs. Braced swing arm. Custom Race Tech shocks G3, New 41mm forks springs and oil. EBC rotors, new pads Raced at the famous Phillip Island Circuit in Australia at the International Challenge. This bike is ready to race or track day!

Everywhere you look there are custom parts. The slipper clutch with custom cover is one focal point, as is the custom exhaust, the hollow 3-spoke wheels and the upgraded instrument cluster. The custom belly pan keeps it legal on the track, as does copious amounts of safety wire. Everything on this bike appears to be built for the purpose – and completely sano. Purists will decry the lack of OEM originality as well as a potential plummet in collector value, but to me this is a period hot rod that just looks right with some newer bits of tech bolted on. Located in sometimes sunny Portland, Oregon, this monster of a machine has a few more days at auction, with bidding up to a mere $3k (reserve not met). Check out all of the details here, and get ready to impress during your next track day event. Good Luck!!!

3 Responses.