Top 5 Bike-uriosities – Week of May 29 2017

Top 5 Bike-uriosities – Week of May 29 2017

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). Here's our favorite finds from the last few days!

1. 1947 Saginaw Powerbike

Built by the Saginaw Products Corp., the Powerbike was a conversion kit that you could slap onto any pedal-driven bicycle. All you had to do was remove the bicycle’s rear wheel, bolt on the Powerbike, and then hook up a fuel tank, fuel lines, and the throttle cable. They were successful enough that Sears started to offer pre-converted Powerbikes. The big selling point was an operational cost of .25 cent per mile thanks to a potential efficiency of 100 miles per gallon.

The motor was a Briggs Stratton four-stroke single that put out 1.5 horsepower. On average, a bicycle with this kit weighed about 125 pounds. For more on the Powerbike, check out this article in Hemmings.

This example has been restored with just some test ride mileage on it. Find this Saginaw Powerbike for sale here on Craigslist in St. Paul, Minnesota, for $5,000.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by William K!

2. Corsa #9 – 1981 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II Racer

Based out of Madrid, Classic Co has been building some interesting customs since 1994. Their passion is in racing, and it shows in their builds. Here's a beautiful vintage racer that started as a Moto Guzzi Le Mans.

Thanks to a few internal modifications like Asso pistons, nitride valves, Porsche valve springs, and a stainless steel camshaft, this 1064cc Guzzi motor now puts out 106 horsepower. The bike weighs just over 365 pounds. Other goodies include a Classworks clutch/gear linkage/quickshift gearbox, 18-inch magnesium wheels, LaFranconi competition racing exhaust, Marzocchi 41mm front forks, fully adjustable rear suspension, and Dyna digital ignition. Classic Co developed the cromoly frame and fiberglass bodywork themselves.

Find this lovely Guzzi racer for sale in Madrid for $17,981 here on Classic Co.

If you really dig what they're doing, they also have a Moto Morini 350 Sport for sale that they've prepped for racing:

3. Rare Dual Sport – 1995 Honda Transalp XL400V

One of the big complaints about the current crop of adventure bikes is that they're too big and heavy for serious off-road exploration. Manufacturers are responding - Kawasaki's just released the Versys-X 300, Honda's got their CRF250L, and BMW/KTM are about to release 310/390cc contenders. While the segment is enjoying some attention from OEMs right now, there were a few bikes in the last couple of decades that were already playing in the space, like the DRZ400. But here's a little V-twin explorer that was only sold in Japan - making it a very rare find elsewhere.

The 400 was known as the ND06, and it was the little brother of the 600 (which later became a 650 and then a 700). In fact, it was nearly identical to the bigger bike, but Honda went with a smaller motor for tiered license holders in Japan. The 52-degree twin was good for 37 hp.

This bike is said to be in "remarkable shape for a 22 year old motorcycle", and the seller thankfully includes plenty of photos to back that claim up. The bike has only done 10 miles in the last two weeks, and during that time it's had a refresher: a carb clean, oil change, coolant flush, and brake flush. Everything is said to work and everything is stock except for some modifications for touring: Givi side bags and windscreen plus a no-name top box and crash bars. The seller points out a couple of minor cosmetic flaws but I'm impressed with how well this bike has held up.

Find this baby Transalp for sale in San Jacinto, California, with a BIN of $5,500 or best offer here on eBay.

4. Expensive and Shiny – 2017 Ducati Monster S4R “Infinita”

Last year, an appropriately-named Italian shop called Metalbike Garage decided to rebody a Ducati Monster. They apparently went a little overboard as they ended up making three rear subframes with different bodywork, as well. It's very shiny and it's very expensive - what do you think about it?

Of the three custom seats/subframes, two are for solo riding and one allows for a passenger. The bodywork is all made from brushed steel. It features Brembo brakes, a handmade radiator, Ohlins suspension, and a FF by Fresco exhaust.

Find this custom Monster for sale in Parma, Italy with an asking price of $75,444 here on the Bike Shed.

5. Ducati Forks – 2007 Husqvarna SMR450 Custom

SMR stands for Super Moto Race, which should tell you everything you need to know about this bike. Though it was street legal from the dealership, this bike would be wasted on most public roads. It's for the most aggressive curves you can find - hopefully within a few minutes of your house, otherwise you should be trailering it! These are already quite rare in the United States, but this example stands out as it's been given the front forks from a Ducati 1098. The stock items were high quality anyway (45mm Marzocchis), so I'm wondering what prompted the builder to change it up.

The 449cc thumper was good for 48 horsepower. The fuel tank was just shy of 2.5 gallons so range was limited to about 70 miles per tank. But that's OK, because if you're riding this the way it's supposed to be ridden, you'll need a rest before you've covered 70 miles. For more on the SMR, check out this review from MCN.

Complementing the unexpected suspension tweaks are some understandable changes - Marchesini forged billet aluminum wheels, Arrow exhaust, and custom rear sets. The speedometer is apparently inoperative but the seller says the bike has 35 hours and approximately 1,700 miles on it - just 30 of which came from the current seller's time with the bike since January 2013. The bike is said to be registered but it is on non-operation, which may explain the old registration sticker on the license plate. Throw a sidestand back on it and give yourself the most exciting commute you've ever had!

Find this bonkers Husky for sale in San Rafael, California, for $4,700 here on Craigslist.

This bike-uriousity brought to you by Frank S!

Which would you put in your garage?