Rare & Unusual Motorcycles pt.1
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- Опубликовано: 30 мар 2023
- Some of the Rarer and most unusual motorcycles ever manufactured.
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The Puch is absolutely STUNNING!
Yes it absolutely is!
The beautiful Hurricane thanks so much for showing it
I wish Triumph would reintroduce the Triumph Hurricane same framework with all the modern specs. 😕
Triumph X-75 is a piece of fine art. And all the ladies pictured in this vid get a thumb up.
I love all those alternative styled bikes from the 30's. Don't know why you'd give them a thumbs down. I appreciate that someone tried something different. Cool video though and thanks for bringing these to rare bikes to our attention.
you welcome and thank you! The thumbs up/down was just if I personally would have bought one, nothing more.
Another good video! I actually had a Hurricane, but only for a short time. Bike was indeed quick and looked great, but the seat was garbage and the quality was distinctly lacking (and this from a fellow who'd had several Triumphs in the past, so my standards weren't all that high). It was a lot like a helicopter: you rode it for an hour, then you worked on it for at least as long.
Love the picture of the yellow Chief - gorgeous, and a better bike than the rival Harleys. My first bike was a 1940 Sport Scout in Indian Red with the full-valanced fenders; looked fabulous and was fast for the day (even in 1950, when I got it). Wish I had that one back...
I also had an XLCR; the less said about that, the better. Looked good and had decent brakes, but didn't handle well and parts kept falling off. It made the Hurricane look reliable. AMF was said at the time to stand for Awful Mother F*cker.
Never heard that AMF saying before but I do like it 😉
Cool that crocodile Dundee has his own hannel
The engine in the Hurricane didn't just look like a Rocket III engine, it WAS a Rocket III engine! The easiest way to tell if an X75 is genuine is to look at the engine number pad. The raised pad the engine numbers go on was first strewn with little BSA logos, using a roll stamp - Triumph did the same thing. When Triumph used these engines for the Hurricane they over stamped the BSA logos with their own, so genuine Hurri's ought to always have the Triumph overstamping. Just putting that out there 'cause they are crazy cool bikes and go for stupid money these days, and it isn't terribly difficult to build your own replica with a Rocket III engine & the right bits.
interesting info buddy !
I was a teenager when the Norton Hi-Riser was launched. I well remember how all the motorcycle magazines ridiculed it. It influenced young impressionable me enough that I still find it rather silly. Around the same time there was an older gentleman on my street who owned a 1947 Indian Chief. At the time I thought it was the coolest motorcycle ever. Having seen them in the metal while visiting my relatives in Italy, I would not say the Cagiva Raptor (in either 125, 650 or 1000cc form) was beautiful. For me, out of all of the bikes presented here, the most beautiful and desirable is the Harley XLCR with the Puch a close second.
Very interesting & well produced. Having been exposed to vintage bikes for my entire life & having a keen interest in pre-war & 50's to 60's bikes, I have to admit that there were some that I've never seen or heard of.
Thank you! I dont particulary have a favourite era. The early motorcycle history is interesting i think.
The X75 is amazing looking .. we will never see a bike like this ever again
Hurricane bodywork was designed by American fairing designer Craig Vetter. An X75 was based in Clearwater in the BC interior. I owned a 1972 Triumph Trident that a buddy of mine had fully built into a 968 CAFE racer. Excellent bikes.
Yes Vetter did a great job. I'm surprised Triumph have never revisted that model.
My neighbor owned a British motorcycle dealership in my town that shut down in the 80’s. He had long retired but the shop was still there. He had me bring him there to give me several motorcycles. He still had some bran new motorcycles in the show room. There was the Hurricane, a Triumph Jubilee, a Rickman 500 scrambler and a couple 650 Triumphs. I brought a collector to try and purchase them, but no price was high enough. He died and I assume his son got the bikes, even though he’s not into nor ever rode one. Wonder where these machines are today?
@@theoriginalmungaman yeah i wonder, what a great haul that would have been
Even speaking as a Brit, that Norton is an abomination - and the buyers must have been pretty innocent until the howling laughter started around them.
Can’t believe I have never heard of the Norton or the v4 Ducati. Well researched and presented. Thanks.
Excellent. I am glad you got something out of it. Thanks for the feedback!
Wow ! Art Deco Bike ....
Thank you very much for this enlightening, entertaining and humorous video on rare motorcycles that I would have otherwise never knew existed.
You are most welcome I am stoked that you enjoyed it. Appreciate you taking the time to give me some feedback.
The Hurricane was $2,500 which was more expensive than a Harley Davidson with the king of the road package. Only 2 Hurricanes per dealership.
I ALMOST bought the 1969 Mike Hailwood Edition Ducati 980 Desmo! I had my checkbook out, but I checked the insurance on it and gasped!!! With the full-fairing and it being a "race-bike" I just couldn't get a rate. She didn't ride SMOOTH but firmly pleasant and handled AMAZINGLY and my friend the dealer advised me the factory tires did NOTHING for the handling. Being narrow as a single, the lean angles possible were stunning and she never nodded her head or bobbled when nearly dragging the bar. Another BIG surprise was the 1984 Bimota SB4. A Suzuki GS-1100ED engine (massaged a bit by "Pop's" Yoshimura) wrapped in a race-bike chassis for the street. Only $36,000 gave you motorcycle Nirvana. Tiniest 1100cc bike I've ever seen or ridden. About the size of '83 Yamaha RZ125LC two-stroke 14-year-old race bike. 363 pounds gassed and except for the chain, I don't think a magnet would stick anywhere on the bike and BREATHTAKING styling! Just THINK to change directions, but stable as a rock at 170 MPH.
I too was so close the buying a MH Replica….it will always be the one that got away…might have another crack at buying one when I retire.
The Norton seat looks like fun for date night.
I suspect many of the high-riders were converted back to roadsters once the hype wore off. Mate of mine had a hurricane in the 70s - looked weird but you could see where they were going with it. He crashed it catastrophically. Quite like the Courtenay. The Apollo was impressive.
Thanks for watching and yes that Ducati was amazing!
G’day, always looking for Australian YT content. Like your style of presentation. You just can beat information given honestly with a bit of experience. I’ve had a lot of the bikes you’ve spoken about and that you’ve also had, I think we might be around the same age. Being a young working lad of the late 70’s and 80’s in Melbourne, now Brisvegas, I could only afford old bikes from the 60’s and 70’s. Good days. I’ve always had bikes, and still do. A fan.
Thanks mate, appreciate your comment. I 1st got my license in the 70's
Very good video.
Enjoyed it immensely.👍
Thanks mate, I really enjoyed producing this one too. Part 2 will be just as good (I hope)
@@motorcyclecafe
I look forward to it.
Thanks.👍
I'm British and started riding in 1969 I remember the Norton hi rider coming out and thought it quite ugly, I can't agree with the comment posted by alfred about the x75 it looked great with the triple pipes, UK bikers were not really into choppers preferring the cafe racer style but we did have a few chopper lovers
I agree with you mate the x75 exhausts looked and sounded fantastic!
Incredible,, Not sure how some of those would be to ride but the styling is out of this world,,, Thanks for making the video(s).
i'm glad you enjoyed it buddy. Cheers
Hurricane please.......
Some excellent research here with a lot of detail I have not heard before.
thanks mate, I'm glad that you got something out of watching.
I almost bought a new XLCR, but found a '65 XLCH I liked for almost half the price. I can't believe you thumbed down all those art deco bikes. I'd love any of them.
I did appreciate their design but I doubt I would have purchased one "thats all the thumbs down meant" the beemer I really liked though
The Head Turner for sure
Great video, even if you pronounce Puch wrong! It rimes with book!
I watched other videos on how to pronounce it. Of course that doesnt mean they said it correct either. Bit like Moto Guzzi almost everyone says that wrong. Thanks for the feedback buddy, so Pook is how you say it?
Don't think any high riders ended up in Newzealand
Always thought HD shoulda put the dual-carb XR-750 or 1000 motor in the XLCR.
Thanks for the show and humor, Enjoyed, Been riddin two wheelers for long time. Later from Texas,usa.
thanks for the positive feedback mate! Texas ay? You might have a stronger accent than me 😉
Great video 👍
Why, thank you buddy, appreciate you saying so!
The front wheel drive motorcycle bi- & tri- good thing it was so underpowered. Put a 150 hp upfront and the slightest throttle blip in a corner would put u in a low-side. A tire can inly put down only so much torque and cornering forces.
Y
The unbeloved H-D XLCR-1000 Cafe Racer was probably the most unHarley looking Sportster yet somehow 40 years later kinda endearing. I agree, I wished I could’ve bought 2 one to ride & one to sell with low milage.
That really was fun, glad I didn't miss it. Cheers
thanks buddy
i don't understand all the thumbs down, esp on the old 30s bikes
I just added it in for some interest. I mention the reason at the begining of the video.
x-75 better with 3 into one exhaust. save weight, easier wheel maintenance. would have looked more purposeful.
Hey, thanks! Some interesting bikes I probably never would have seen W/O your video.
I hope you still have your Cagiva.
No mate I sold the Cagiva years ago.
The High Rider increased sales for Norton the bike was very popular in the Midwest and because it does not receive the combat engine it was more reliable. I almost bought one because it was in my favorite orange color
I sure miss the cheesecake aspect of motorcycle advertisement of the old days. Remember the Norton girl . The Highrider never got the Combat engine so they were reliable and didn't blow up like the other Norton Commandos did.
Another one, Moto Guzzi V8 or Bellagio or any Moto Guzzi, really 😊.
Cool channel I love those Bikes and the models dont hurt, cool to hear an Aussie.
Thanks buddy, I'm glad you like the videos. The girls won't be a regular thing but every now & again can't hurt. One bloke told me and I quote "your accent is disgusting" all part of putting yourself out there I guess.
The X75 BSA/TRIUMPH would have been a bigger seller if they were released with a 1000cc engine. A 1000cc TRIUMPH HURRICANE back then could have gone a long way in slowing the demise of the British Motorcycle industry. Wasn't the bodywork of the BSA X75 designed by CRAIG VETTER. Hats off to Craig Vetter, among the worlds best designers of motorcycles.
It was a great bike either way. Not sure why triumph haven't re visited that styling.
Had recent phone conversations with Mrs. Vetter. Someone should interview her. Still has sone interesting things laying around.
Pity the Apollo didn't go into production , cool, powerful,
It certainly had a huge amount of power nothing of that era was even in the same league!
Ace video. 👍.
The x 75 hurricane cost as much as a Harley full dresser with the King of the Road package and it was lamented in the road test about what a ridiculously high price they wanted for it and how ridiculously low production number were.
Harley cross dresser more like.
Had a Hurricane. I loved it. Girls loved it more. Showed a lot to get a ride.
Loved the X75 only ever had an XS750 triple though
As long as you liked it, thats all that matters. The xs 750 was an attractive motorcycle!
@@motorcyclecafe I was into the Yamah specials at the time the XS650 Special I had was the look I really liked but it wasn't fast enough ( they never are when your young) and the vibration bothered me. I lost a mirror on the harbour bridge which just unscrewed itself once, so I bought the XS750 Special same black and bucko bars it was cool but yes the Hurricane X75 if I had the money that would have been the one
Very interesting seat shape of the X-75, i´m restoring right now this days my little Puch 4v (four shift) 50cc. My seat on the Puch has similar contours over the gas tank. Cool, i take note.
Good luck with your restoration. Little bikes are just as much fun as big bikes.
As an American your showing me motorcycles I’ve never seen or heard of. I mean I’ve heard of most of these manufacturers, but these models never.
yes not all bikes are exported to all countries.
hola mr mc ,nunca supe por que mi honda shadow vlx 600 1998 solo tiene 4 cambios ? you? or someone elese?
Had a 1965 Norton matchless chopper it was fast and fun to ride
Who doesnt love an old school chopper!
The two large men are billy and benny known at the time as the world's largest twins. We saw them maybe 53 years ago they were riding little 50 cc hondas. It was a promotion at a house trailer lot in Savanah Georgia. Bless my dear departed parents. No matter how long the trip or how far behind schedule they would always u-turn for interesting stuff.
Thank you for sharing that info buddy. I certainly did not intend any disrespect to anyone.
@@motorcyclecafe I don't think you disrespected anyone. Billy and Benny were showmen and would be pleased that they are still remembered.
I do not know how many Apollo engines were produced since these were prototypes but in the images that are available on the web there at least to variations of ignition systems one of which utilised distributors this would enable just 2 sets of points to be used.
I am not really into big motorcycle engines nonetheless I think the Apollo was awesome and definitely ahead of it's time boasting an electric start and a 5 speed gearbox unfortunately let down by tyres and possibly chassis but the designers did have to be confined to a spec issued by the US police Depts that this bike was initially aimed at and that in turn was born out of the Harleys that were already in use so this begs the question was there an alternative tyre of a different size that would have withstood the performance produced by the Apollo.
If Ducati could have released a smaller capacity version before Honda's milestone 750 four they may have done very well but wisdom is always easy with hindsight and I doubt that they could have competed against Honda's sheer volume production capabilities but it makes you think.
I know that there is at least two Apollo engines and that US Police forces required a certain size wheel (not sure why) this also probably affected Ducati's choice in available tyres.
I used to own a 1973 750 roadster that I maintained religiously. Traded rides with a friend who had a High Rider which, to put it charitably, was not well maintained. The thing was a death trap and to my eyes an aesthetic disaster. One of my most unpleasant riding experiences ever..
Oh well, i said they looked better in person. Never rode one so you would know much better than me! Thanks for watching.
I had an opportunity to ride a low mileage example of the Harley cafe bike in 1979. It handled about as well as a '50s Sunbeam S8, had very poor brakes, and vibration was barely tolerable. No way did it make 68hp, I think it was about 15hp lower. As good as it looked, it was still a dog.
I doubt it made that amount of power myself but according to period road tests that was what they claimed.
How's about the Benelli 900 Tornado? Radiator under the seat and extractor fans out back. Gorgeous bike, yes I had one for 3 years.
Yes great bikes, made in china now 🤔
Unfortunately motorcyclists are not interested in originality of design. Despite the image of being independent, free thinking and individualistic in nature, the complete opposite is true with the aspiration of most, to just have what everyone else has. Bikers essentially have a herd mentality.
Most true saying ever. Individually all alike. I have always felt that way about them. Most are like cops. All look alike now. No peace officers, just law enforcement. Bikers mostly one of two types. A shame
The big Ducati V4 tyre peeler aye
sure seemed that way. No other bike of that time was anywhere near it that's for sure.
That Norton Highrise would be a pain in the asre to get on
What about the poor pillion passenger?
@@motorcyclecafe
It wouldn't be much different to the pillion position on most modern bikes
The ducatti looked to have a distributor so you would of been ok. I bet it was torquey when detuned. I'd have the Puch.
There is only 1 Ducati V4 Apollo left, a collector in Japan has it, I bet Ducati would pay a huge amount to get it back. I like the Puch as well it was a very nice looking machine but I doubt if I was alive in those days that I would have bought one, not with just 20hp.
Good video to watch while enjoyin Vegemite and kangaroo steaks!! Fuck now I'm hungry!
As aussie as I am, Marmite is better 😉
What a mono tone
WOW! thank you so much for making the effort to leave such wonderful feedback.
When discussing the weird and unusual, everyone forgets Suzuki's RE5 with the rotary Wankel engine. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING !
I don't know what they were thinking. That engine was used in quite a few bikes, none of which were successful.
Ide absolutely take a high rider or x75 to go woth my t160 trident but i fell in love with the xlcr as a kid in the late seventies. Ots so rare harley makes a nice looking bike rather that an overpriced junky couch but that is one of the four or five harleys i would own. Probably only ride them at night so i wouldnt be seen on an hd but if i had the money to get one ide buy another triumph or two instead and actually be able to ride the bike tather than wait for the shop to get done foxing it.
Fixing bikes at home is a skill thats sadly disappearing.
😂👍👍
Yeah, please include the Suzuki RE5 and the Hercules Wankel 300(?) in an upcoming episode if you haven't already. (I'll be checking out past shows to see if I missed it since I'm your NEWEST SUBSCRIBER!
L my arse, it's just a V lent over.
yes lent way over!
If noisy unwarranted opinion summed up as a video with an emoji spam as a substitute of reasoning. Good job with that LoL.
Norton was so ugly it's awsome now as for all of them on the list even old sporster of the70s was ugly as shit
the Hesketh is more unusual and rare than some of the bikes shown here... has the author never heard of it ?
Yes I certainly have, there are many other bikes which I could have included including the Hesketh but its impossible to include them all otherwise the video would be too long & nobody would watch it.
@@motorcyclecafe I just thought the Hesketh was much more rare and unusual than the X75 - is it not ? I have only seen one that I did consider buying... used, one of the early ones which I think had a pile of problems... I have never seen another one... just thinking out aloud, I wonder what other such niche bikes were made - right now I cannot think of any but there must be other failed mad dreams ?
@@milesinnz i dont know the figures but i reckon the hesketh was made in far less numbers. I doubt they were even exported to a lot of countries. Big v twin from memory.
@@motorcyclecafe very rare.. the first ones had lots of engineering problems but a latsr version was suppored to be a lot better.. it looked very big and very impressive.. it got me wondering what other motorcycle follies there have been.. Ariel 3 ??