Interesting motorcycles, not XS650

[Niels B]

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It sold for the $42K
Even at that price, note the seller's (Tim Stafford) comment.

Wow, I think this is the very high end value of a r69s I’ve ever seen. Surprisingly as I don’t recall the color as an original - thought they only came in Avus Black or Dover White factory finishes, maybe the picture doesn’t show correctly and it’s a Dover White
Must have matching everything and a full record supporting to get this kind of $$$$

 

[Adamc]

 

[gggGary]

Merlin 5000 — The Aircraft-Engined Motorcycle Built Without Limits
Some custom motorcycles push engineering boundaries, but the Merlin 5000 went far beyond normal motorcycle logic entirely. Built in Australia during the early 1980s by Lucky Keizer, this extraordinary machine became famous for using components derived from the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine—the same family of V12 engines that powered iconic World War II fighter planes. Instead of building a conventional motorcycle engine, Keizer created a monstrous 5,000cc V-twin using two cylinders adapted from the original Merlin V12 architecture, transforming aviation engineering into a two-wheeled mechanical experiment unlike anything else on the road.
The technical ambition behind the Merlin 5000 was staggering. The engine featured both a supercharger and nitrous oxide system, pushing the machine into extreme performance territory with claimed top speeds approaching 400 km/h. Building the motorcycle reportedly required more than 2,300 hours of labor, including around 300 hours dedicated solely to crafting the custom crankshaft needed to handle the enormous torque and rotational forces generated by the engine. The result was not just a motorcycle, but a rolling demonstration of handcrafted engineering obsession, combining aviation heritage, drag-racing mentality, and custom fabrication into one unforgettable machine.
Naturally, a motorcycle powered by an aircraft-derived 5.0-liter V-twin came with serious compromises. The sheer size and weight of the engine made the machine difficult to handle compared to conventional motorcycles, while fuel consumption and heat generation were extremely high. Maintenance and tuning required specialized knowledge due to the fully custom mechanical setup, and the engine’s extreme output pushed every drivetrain component close to its operational limits. Machines like this were never intended for practical transportation—they existed purely to showcase what human creativity and engineering determination could achieve.
Fun Fact: The original Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine became one of the most famous aircraft engines in history after powering legendary fighter planes such as the Supermarine Spitfire and P-51 Mustang during World War II.

 

[Wagner73]

Staggering effort, I guess just because you can!

 

[Adamc]

I just love this machine........... £75,000 to you Sir!

 

[Its been a long time]

I just love this machine........... £75,000 to you Sir!

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For sure, it's a lovely thing. He's being a bit optimistic trying to sell at COVID bubble prices. I'm guessing it's going to sell for half the asking price at best. If it sells at all.

Mind you, it only needs one person with money burning a hole in his pocket.......

 

[resto]

MOTO PARILLA GS175 - 1956

 

[Its been a long time]

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MOTO PARILLA GS175 - 1956

What a dainty little thing that is.

 

[Kevin Werner]

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Saw this when I pulled into the parking lot this morning. Don't know whose it is, but unfortunately there is no "for sale" sign on it.

I cringe when I see a trailered bike riding it's sidestand.

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[Wagner73]

I cringe when I see a trailered bike riding it's sidestand.

It depends a little on the bike, but generally I agree. And the center stand is no better, maybe worse in some cases. Wheel chock (or facsimile) and just tie downs at all four corners would be preferred I think.

Had a nice center stand tie down mishap picking up my new CB750K5 in the middle of the winter at a dealer ~3 hours away. Using a friend's 63 Chev pickup with a cap on the back. Took mirrors off and rolled handlebars down. Couldn't angle it so the front tire would be in a corner, so put it on the center stand (barely fit) and cinched it at all four corners.

However, although the loading area was flat, there was a long, sharp downhill to get out. All was good until we carved into the downhill and the bike moved just slightly, enough for the fu(king center stand to pop up and let the bike move slightly forward, just enough to crunch the brand new, no miles speedo on one of the cap's cross braces. So around to the front to order a new speedo that they shipped to me; yay!

So no more center stand tie downs for me. And why was I going 3 hours away in a snowy February to pick it up...cuz they were selling these things brand new for $1908!

 

[Kevin Werner]

It depends a little on the bike, but generally I agree. And the center stand is no better, maybe worse in some cases. Wheel chock (or facsimile) and just tie downs at all four corners would be preferred I think.

Had a nice center stand tie down mishap picking up my new CB750K5 in the middle of the winter at a dealer ~3 hours away. Using a friend's 63 Chev pickup with a cap on the back. Took mirrors off and rolled handlebars down. Couldn't angle it so the front tire would be in a corner, so put it on the center stand (barely fit) and cinched it at all four corners.

However, although the loading area was flat, there was a long, sharp downhill to get out. All was good until we carved into the downhill and the bike moved just slightly, enough for the fu(king center stand to pop up and let the bike move slightly forward, just enough to crunch the brand new, no miles speedo on one of the cap's cross braces. So around to the front to order a new speedo that they shipped to me; yay!

So no more center stand tie downs for me. And why was I going 3 hours away in a snowy February to pick it up...cuz they were selling these things brand new for $1908!

I put a lot of miles without a chock, 4 point pulling the front wheel straight into the trailer rail and down (compressed forks) and rear frame/shock tops pulled down (compressed). I did tie the front rim/tire to the trailer frame to keep it centered.

 

[John Regular]

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MOTO PARILLA GS175 - 1956

What a beauty, even the centerstand has curves, It might be sacrilege but I would buy a re-pop if someone would make them, India are you listening?

 

[cra-z1]

Our vintage group gets together the 1st tue of each month for a beer and conversation. You never know what some of the guys will bring. We have a couple of older retired Honda mechanics who are pretty inventive. This is one's creation. He also has a fan powered bicycle which is driven by a large fan mounted behind the bike in a trailer and the fan is powered by a gas engine. Funnier than heck to see that going down the road.

The bandaid box holds the battery which powers the lights

 

[Mailman]

 

[Wagner73]

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Wow!!

 

[Sparkyduc]

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I want one!

 

[Adamc]

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I want two!

 

[Downeaster]

I want two!

One for each foot?

 

[Kevin Werner]