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Top 5 Bike-uriosities – Week of 4/25
Top 5 Bike-uriosities – Week of 4/25
At Bike-urious, we’re spending all of our time finding the most interesting motorcycles that are currently for sale for you to drool over (and maybe empty your wallet for). So let’s take a look at our five favorite offerings from this week!
1. 1 of 17 - 1993 BMW R100R Battle of the Legends Racer
In the early 90s, the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) looked to rejuvenate American road racing, and mixed it up with the introduction of Sound of Singles and Battle of Twins classes. In their attempt to bring in more sponsorship money, they also partnered with BMW to create what would end up being one of their better known races, the Battle of Legends. Held all over the country over five years, this series pitted motorcycling legends against each other on identical BMW bikes. Today we feature a bike from the 1993 series, the BMW R100R Battle of the Legends. BMW also used the R1100RS for the series in future years — do you know if there were any others?
For 1993, 17 bikes were built. 15 were used in the race, and two were backups. The R100R was the last of the airheads before BMW moved to the oilhead engine. The BotL bikes were cosmetically 'enhanced' and received a custom exhaust, but otherwise they were the same as production bikes, featuring 60 horsepower, a 5-speed transmission with shaft drive, and a 6.3 gallon fuel tank - all of which totaled up to a bike that weighed 435 pounds. In short, it wasn't the kind of bike you'd expect for a race, but it worked. Many AHRMA fans will tell you that the best thing the association did in the 90s was this BMW-based series.
This specific BMW R100R Battle of the Legends was number nine of 17, and it was raced by Daytona 200 winner and AMA Hall of Fame member Don Emde (signature on the tank). This is claimed to be a one owner bike that has just 3,185 miles, and it's just as it was when it was prepped for the race. A removable windshield is included with the sale.
READ MORE: The Best Dual-Sport Motorcycles | RideApart
Find this BMW R100R Battle of the Legends for sale in Rancho Cordova, California for $14,999 or best offer here on eBay.
2. 1968 Norton N15CS Scrambler
After Norton moved production to Plumstead in the early 60s, they had a few leftover engines from the Atlas line. They threw those engines into Matchless frames to create a series of hybrids under the Norton, Matchless, and AMC names BotL—the most confusing time in the history of the British firm. One of desert racers that was created was the Norton N15CS (CS stood for Competition Spring). While it was based on the Atlas Scrambler, it got modified front forks, rubber gaiters, a slimmer seat, and a lovely Candy Apple Red finish for both the Norton N15CS and the AMC G15 equivalent.
In 1967, the hybrids got slimmer mudguards, a new petrol tank, a more modern looking seat, and were re-branded as "Street Scramblers." Drivetrain specs were simple: five-speed transmission, chain drive, and Amal concentric carbs to take care of the fueling. Just 2,500 N15CSes were built, so they're quite hard to find today.
Find this Norton N15CS for sale in Canoga Park, California with bidding up to $11,200 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $14,000 here on eBay.
3. Championship Winner – 1974 Carabela Marquesa 100
The Marquesa was Carabela's successor to the Caliente, Mexico's first MX bike. The Marquesa, which translates to Marquis, was available in 100, 125, and 175cc versions. Here we have one of the tiniest; it placed first in both Motos of its class, and overall in the 2015 AMA Vintage Grand National Championship.
In addition to last year's National Championship, this bike won the 2013 Unadilla MX Rewind in the 100cc class, placing first in both Motos as well. Not bad! The seller says it runs perfectly, and it's race ready. It's being offered with no reserve (albeit with a not-insignificant opening bid), so here's your chance to get a national championship winner and a rare MX bike at the same time.
READ MORE: How To Take A 1,500 Mile Trip On A 250cc Motorcycle | RideApart
Find this Marquesa for sale in White Marsh, Maryland with an unmet opening bid of $2,950 here on eBay.
4. Panhead Cop – 1960 Harley-Davidson Police
According to the seller, this Harley has always been equipped as a police bike with a sidecar. While it's currently decommissioned, the sweet police parts were not stripped, the wires were just cut. If you're OK with some electrical work, you could have yourself a bike that oozes classic cool. Check out the Motorola phone in the saddlebag!
The seller's father-in-law was a cop in Chicago (his gear is used in some of the photos but it is not included in the sale) who kept this bike in storage for years. The seller acquired the bike one year ago, fired it up and ran it for 15 miles, then stored it until now. It's obviously well-worn cosmetically, but in this case that's part of the charm.
Find this cool copper for sale in Somonauk, Illinois with bidding up to $17,258 here on eBay.
5. 1993 Moto Guzzi 1000S
Introduced in 1990 (and built for three years with slight revisions), Moto Guzzi's 1000S is a cult classic that's hard to find for sale — owners rarely let them go. It did not sell particularly well, but the retro styling (it was designed to look like the 1975 750 S3) has stood the test of time. This is reflected in selling prices for this model, bidding is already approaching $15k.
READ MORE: 23 Things You Never Knew About Motorcycles | RideApart
The 949cc v-twin engine produced 82 horsepower at the crank (72 at the rear wheel) and put it through a five-speed transmission, good for a top speed of 128 miles per hour. As a '93 model, this bike has smaller valves and a smaller carb, which was retuned for more torque at lower revs (and also helping the bike meet stricter emissions laws). For more on this cool classic, check out this site dedicated to the 1000S. It should be noted that the site has a PDF that chronicles the differences of the model through the years, and based on the VIN, exhaust shape, and cast wheels, it seems like this really is a 1990s bike. The exhaust and wheels could obviously be take-offs/parts that were replaced later; I would double check what year this bike was really made.
This example (VIN: ZGUVVDVN2PM250052) has 32,600 miles and is claimed to be in exceptionally good condition by the seller, who has owned the bike for nine years. The original tool kit and owner's manual are included in the sale, and there are some extra chrome exhaust headers and chrome LaFranconi pipes. The seller doesn't mention the fairing, which looks like an aftermarket Ducati SS replica unit. I'm surprised to be saying this, but I don't think it works here and I'd remove it if I was the lucky new owner. Find this 1000S for sale in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina with bidding up to $13,500 here on eBay.
Which one do you want in your garage? I'm torn between the BMW BotL bike or the Guzzi...
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