Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels

Found this unique Yamaha Running When Parked on eBay with just hours to go before a new owner would take it home (or back out of the sale). It’s unique because it appears to be a Japanese market model not sold in America. It has a monoshock rear suspension and looks ultra clean for a 45-year-old dual-sport bike. The seller, Kaplan Cycles, doesn’t have time to mess with it.

The little bike sold for $2,202. I feel that is a lot for a RWP’ed 125 but heck, a dozen eggs seems expensive to me right now and don’t even bring up diesel fuel prices. Still, you have to wonder just how much a Yamaha Trail 125 is worth once restored and running. To the right collector, a lot more than $2,000 I guess.

Captain Kaplan: I’ll visit Kaplan Cycles next time I’m on the East Coast. They always have really cool motorcycles posted to eBay and most of them are not “Running When Parked.” Check out their website. They have a museum-quality showroom and no doubt, this crew knows how to have fun. (Click here if the video doesn’t appear below).

“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 too long. Lacking the energy, time or resources to bring the little beauty back to life, the owner lists it for sale in hopes that a new owner will massage it back to health. Our collection of RWP’ed bikes fall into two distinct categories; treasure and trash. And you are the only one who can properly judge which category the bike belongs in.