NOS Indian pistons

Last time a bunch of NOS Indian Chief pistons with original boxes were seen together? Well, it may have been in '51!

'41 Indian Sport Scout

This attractive 45ci skirted civilian model 641 is at least under cover, procured for a future generation's enjoyment.

Harley Davidson Knuckleheads

Daytona, '94 - Volusia County swap meet. Asking prices seemed preposterous at the time. Both FL mills, both had original case numbers. One of them had 45FLxxxx. There were like what, only 200 navy bikes made in 1945? They were $5k and $5500. Whoops!

'30s Harley Davidson tank

Original paint rear fender mounted auxiliary gas tank from a Canadian police unit. Imagine being remote enough that both tanks were actually needed and realize how rare this HD part is.

'53 BMW R25/2

All original down to the '53 Fulda tires that have no dry rot - with remnants of pinstripes amidst little character building bumps and bruises. Consistently starts second kick. Great around town over-engineered Teutonic bike.

Once when parking to eat sushi, two yuppie chodes pulled up and parked beside in a (then new) BMW Z Roadster. They immediately joked about "added BMW badges" and asked what it really was, since BMW hasn't made motorcycles that long. After a correction making motorcycles since 1923 - the joke quickly reversed. Then the tone changed.

"Do you want to sell it?"

"No."

"When are you going to restore it?"

"Never."

"Why not?"

"Because mechanically this bike is aces. Things are only original once. Any dipshit lacking discipline with too much money can restore something."

Indian forks

Ever wonder why you never see original Indian leaf spring front ends at vintage swap meets? Why there is a proliferation of replicas on the market? Stop losing sleep over it.

'50 BSA C11

 

Sandwiched between a BMW R50 and BMW R60/2, in a dimly lit shed, under a pile of steering columns, sits this intact original dark red Brit 250cc.

Vincent Rapide

This old timer's basement entrance is akin to a tomb on an archeological dig. Took months setting up a visit to this lifelong drunk. Many Brit bikes are encased within his abode. To the untrained eye it appears to be junk, right? Well, partially disassembled in the early '60s yet fully complete with original paint lies an HRD 1000 Series B!