Motorcycle Investor mag
What's happening
Big expectaions for Big Tank Crocker, 20 January
Crocker motorcycles continue to pull staggering numbers, with a 1940 Big Tank listed by Bonhams for an estimated US$450-550,000 (Au$650-800,000). That tends to back up the suspicion that some motorcycles end up being investment vehicles rather than a bike. Bonhams' listing for the January 23 auction notes the irony that this example was once sold by a salvage yard for $50 - albeit during the 1950s. Crocker's production was diverted to making Douglas aircraft components during World War II, and after the war the company decided there was more money to be made in other manufacturing before it was eventually sold to Borg Warner. See the lot details here. Crocker profile.
Secret Bullets, 18 January
Last day of our Kerala, India, tour on Royal Enfield Bullets and we're heading up the coast to the Secret Garden motel, in Kochi. An easy ride and good way to round off the trip. With Kerala Bike Tours. #keralabullets
MV Agusta F4 750 - future collectible, 18 January
While these days MV Agusta may be regarded as yet another brand at the exotic end of the motorcycle spectrum, it was a very different story in the late 1990s. That’s when we started to get glimpses of the 750 F4, the first bike the company had produced since production and racing shut down in 1980...more here.
1908 Indian racer on the block, 18 January
Proof that the fundamental layout of a race bike hasn't changed all that much in over a century, is this 1908 Indian. Unrestored, it's running a 60ci (1000cc) V-twin with automatic inlet valves (vacuum operated) and mechanical exhausts. It was said to be good for around 65mph (over 100km/h). Braking is an old bicycle-style freewheel unit in the rear hub. Mecum auctions this one later in the month, in Las Vegas. The ultimate shed ornament, perhaps, though you'd have to fire it up and take it for a spin, wouldn't you?
DKW Victoria Sputnik - oddball of the day, 17 January
This 1964 DKW Victoria Sputnik is thought to be one of around 200 made. Featuring a 50cc two-stroke powerplant and three-speed transmission, the space-age gem was part of a world-wide trend to style vehicles with rocketship influences. It's coming up for auction at the annual Mecum January Las Vegas sale. DKW backgrounder.
Bullets to the Beach, 17 January
Kerala Bullets: we're on the last couple of days of the trip, with a big leg yesterday, covering mountain switchbacks, villages and of course a bit of city running...and then, at last, the beach!
With Kerala Bike Tours
#keralabullets
Yamaha RD350LC vid, 17 January
Nice retro piece on the legendary Yamaha RD350LC.
Big day on the Bullets, 17 January
Kerala Bullets: a big day yesterday. As with much of Asia, 280-ish kays takes about the same time as 800 would in Australia. The Bullets took the punishment without fuss and the reward was to end up at a beach-side resort at the end of the day. Bliss.
With Kerala Bike Tours.
#keralabullets
Jawa's retro Forty Two, 16 January
Jawa Forty Two - not yet available in Australia, but selling fast in India, with a 40,000 waiting list! It’s a liquid-cooled 290cc four-stroke single, styled to look like an air-cooled two-stroke. Very cute...
Overdrive India review.
Steampunk Air Bike, 16 January
From SteampunkTendencies.com: The famous custom motorbike builder, Peter Forsberg, reminds us that if you have passion and creativity to build something, nothing can stop you from succeeding. Meet Peter’s new creation, a steampunk motorcycle built from scratch that runs on compressed air.
Mountain Bullets - the video - 15 January
Up and down mountains in Kerala today for the harvest/new year public holiday. With Kerala Bike Tours. #keralabullets
Mountain Bullets, 15 January
It's been a day of clambering up and down mountains today, through switchback passes with some lurid warning signs and a few little border crossings between states. It's always challenging and entertaining. With Kerala Bike Tours. #keralabullets
Bullet Adventures, 14 January
Bullet adventures: departing the Ooty Savoy involved being presented with a farewell cake with 'happy riding' etched out in icing; The local highway patrol pulled us up for a chat and a photo they were later going to use to promote wearing all the right riding gear; Wildlife at the Bamboo Banks Farm & Guest House in Tamil Nadu - the deer and monkeys look out for each other when predators are around; Bucolic bliss in the shadow of the mountains.
With Kerala Bike Tours
#keralabullets
Kerala Contrasts by Bullet, 14 January
On the road with Royal Enfield Bullets and the Kerala Bike Tours crew...there's no shortage of contrasts - redwood forests, bustling country towns, bamboo forests...great fun. #keralabullets
Ducati 750SS green frame on the block, 13 January
An example of the model that launched Ducati into road racing royalty with its 1972 Imola win, and cemented it's long-term affair with V-twins is up for auction later this month, in Las Vegas through Mecum. The 1974 green frame 750SS comes with its original toolkit and, assuming it all checks out, will be watched closely by anyone with an interest in the classic bike market.
Last January a similar machine set a new record at auction, fetching US$247,500 (Au$358,000), also at Las Vegas. Ducati 750SS profile
India by Bullet, 13 January
Great galloping Royal Enfield Bullets - today we rolled down one mountain range, only to climb another. Some of the sights: it's always handy when someone is counting hairpins for you; Even more useful is getting to know your friendly local cops; Clearly physics is no barrier to loading a bike; Mountain-top tea stop was compulsory; Monkeys guarding the local temple; The streetscapes are always colourful.
With Kerala Bike Tours
#keralabullets
Royal Enfield Bullets town and country, 12 January
More from our gallop around Kerala: Riding around India is never dull - try these two scenes from today.
With Kerala Bike Tours
#keralabullets
Kerala Bullets, 11 January
Kerala Bullets tour: we've become tea tourists, temporarily living on a hilltop estate and visiting one of the local processing factories; Note the very stylish inspection costumes - ready for the next zombie medical ball; Meanwhile we're showing you what used to be a complete ramp to a local lookout, until the local elephants decided they disapproved of it; And, last, a couple of Bullets waiting for the next crop to be picked.
#keralabullets
Royal Enfield Bullets on the elephant road, 11 January
From our YouTube Channel: Bombing along on Bullets across our favourite elephant road. There were plenty of signs they'd been around, including giant patches of fresh droppings, but not a pachyderm in sight!
With Kerala Bike Tours
#keralabullets
Kerala Kapers, 9 January
We're off on a jaunt riding Royal Enfield Bullets in their home country, in the state of Kerala. Daniel Benster (pictured) of Kerala Bike Tours has just given us the pre-ride briefing, the first we've ever experienced which includes safety advice on encounters with elephants. Hot tip: no selfies! #keralabullets
Damon Who? 8 January
Typical of the whole wild-west nature of the electric motorcycle scene at the moment is the latest announcement at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, in the last few days.
It’s by Canadian start-up Damon (damonxlabs.com), which confidently predicts it will produce an electric superbike, claiming 320km/h top speed, will weigh less than 220kg and will recharge to 80 per cent in 20 minutes. It also claims cloud connectivity and an onboard camera. All that for US$25,000 (Au$36,000).
Will it actually make it to the road? Good question…
Contrasting fours at Las Vegas, 7 January
The annual auction frenzy in Las Vegas, during the second half of January, always throws up a host of interesting machinery. We were struck by these two contrasting inline four motorcycles, a first-edition sandcast Honda CB750-Four and a 1911 Pierce Arrow 700 with four pots and shaft drive, offered by Mecum. Both were quick machines for their day, but the Pierce Arrow would have taken a fair bit of courage, we think, given the roads at the time and the probably less than stellar suspension, plus a lonely rear drum brake.
Honda's CB750 history; Pierce Arrow Four profile
Rare Honda CR-93 Road Bike for Auction, 4 January
Really interesting road-going Honda CR-93 coming up during auction season in Las Vegas, via Mecum.
Bike profile.
Triple SIx Fleet for Sale, 2 January 2020
Here's a very unusual fleet being offered by a collector in QUeensland: Kawasaki Z1300, Honda CBX1000 and Benelli 900Sei. The ultimate sports tourer six-pack? He's looking for around $70k-plus and you see more via Facebook.
Model profiles...
Kawasaki Z1300:
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/…/kawasaki/kawasaki_z1300…
Honda CBX1000:
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/…/H…/honda_cbx1000_79.html
Benelli 900 SEi:
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/…/benelli_900_sei_sport%2…
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