Tag: vintage motorcycles

British Battle Between Triumph & BSA Running When Parked

jimmymac

I’m out of my league on this one. Did Triumph and BSA share an engine in the mid 70’s? I ask because the tank on this Running When Parked says Triumph but the engine looks like a BSA. The seller’s headline doesn’t help matters because it sort of says this bike is both. Either way, the offering appears to be in nice shape. The price is on the high side once you figure in new tires, saddle cover and going through the engine. Still, the giant exhaust pipes are sure…

Special Delivery On This Running When Parked Kawasaki

jimmymac

This poor rider destroyed all his confidence, a few grand worth of plastic and a functional mailbox when he played a game of mailbox baseball using his Kawasaki as the bat. This bike would be a fun blank canvas for a custom bike builder with a lot of creativity and even more energy. Maybe a stripped-to-the-bones cafe racer? Or a hooligan dragster? The phrase “Running When Parked” (RWP) is code for a once treasured possession that has been neglected in the corner of the garage or tool shed for far…

CONTENTIOUS UPDATE: Motorcyclists Are Not Giving Up On Their Waving

jimmymac

When I pleaded with fellow motorcycle riders to give up on the waving thing, I didn’t realized I was kicking a hornet’s nest. It became apparent how passionately riders look forward to the friendly exchange. One rider felt threatened that I was trying to take away his freedom of choice. I didn’t get one rider who agreed to give the waving thing a break. So next time you are riding and the other rider doesn’t wave back, that’s me. A WAVE OF RESPONSES Ramblin’ Bob Well, it obviously bothers you…

Motorcyclist Magazine Calls It Quits

jimmymac

The July/August issue of Motorcyclist arrived today with a disappointing editorial. It would be the last print issue. Motorcyclist has survived 108 years but most of those years were before the internet. Motorcyclist was well worth the annual subscription price. Unfortunately, that price wasn’t enough to keep the magazine in the black. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you how to save money on your subscription. The message displayed when you hit the “subscribe” button on their website says, “We are sorry to inform you that Motorcyclist Magazine is discontinuing publication.…

Sporty ’69 RWP’ed Looks Ready To Roar

jimmymac

Another Running When Parked in the long line of fine 1969 machines. This one was found in San Pedro. Built in 1969 and roamed the streets of San Pedro. What could be cooler than that? The bike appears to have been stored properly and everything seems to be in its place. The firm asking price of $2500 is a sweet deal if you know your way around a Harley. A very cool Running When Parked. The phrase “Running When Parked” (RWP) is code for a once treasured possession that has…

Ninety-Four Readers Identify Mystery Component

jimmymac

I wasn’t surprised that so many Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels readers were able to identify the mystery component pictured in the June 13th Running When Parked. That’s because I figure there are not a lot of youngsters visiting my page and the folks who do visit are mechanically savvy. A total of 94 readers took the time to write and identify the components as the motorcycle’s electrical system’s points and condenser. And six of those respondents wrote “Let me get right to the points” in the email’s subject line.…

UPDATED: SoCal Vintage MX Classic 10 From Glen Helen Raceway

jimmymac

The SoCal Vintage MX Classic 10 was run at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino on Saturday, June 13th with a large crowd of young and old racers ready to do battle on machines older than this year’s high school graduating students. The vintage iron, and in some cases vintage racers, did battle like it was 1975. SoCal Vintage MX Classic #10 Race Results Race: 1 Finish Number Brand Member # Name City,State Moto 1 Moto 2 Points MCV Meis Cup INT (Vintage) 1 249 MAI Robbie Conklin Oceanside, CA…

Ducati Mark 3 350 Desmo Ultra Fine ’69

jimmymac

Frequent “Running When Parked” readers already know my weakness for any motorcycle made in 1969. That year was a magical time for motorcycle, automobile and truck manufacturing. Case in point, this very fine 1969 Ducati Mark 3 Desmo. The asking price of $8500 is in the ballpark (Kelley Blue Book lists this model at $11,660) and the bike looks like it is was stored properly. There are no weird modification other than the air cleaners. The rest of the bike looks ready to rage. The phrase “Running When Parked” (RWP)…

1952 Vincent Smashes RWP’ed Asking Price Record By 35 Thousand Dollars

jimmymac

Way back in July of 2017 we uncovered a Ducati Running When Parked with an asking price of $34,500. It held the official Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels record for the highest asking price of a RWP’ed motorcycle until today when we spotted this 1952 Vincent with an asking price of $69,950! This Vincent blew by the old record by 34,450 bucks. Judging from the photo’s background, I’d say this bike is being offered by Bator International. Bator, located in Ojai, California, has been a vintage motorcycle broker for close…

Super Sano RWP’ed For The Horsepower Hungry

jimmymac

Usually our Running When Parked examples are rough or way, way overpriced. This Honda VF1100S Sabre V65 is neither. In fact, the bike has such a clean appearance, it is a wonder why the owner doesn’t take the time to get it running and move it out of the RWP’ed category. This model isn’t designed as canyon carver. It is a dragster. Point it down the Main Street Drag Strip (you know what I’m talking about), light the fuse, hold on and hope you get a bro deal on rear…