Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer.
Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer, go! We all like to go fast, and most of us like to win. Trying to do so can set you back a pretty penny, over and over and over again, as even at LeMons level, racing is an expensive hobby. We’ll see if it can be worth it just after the jump, but right now we have another quest for you.
You know that cars mostly have four wheels (some trucks have six) while motorcycles generally have two. Add a sidecar to a bike however and the total tire count is three, and that means that any trike for the road requires just a motorcycle license. Let’s find all those that we can, let’s see what trikes (and bikes with sidecars) we can find for sale, craptacular and otherwise.
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve changed commenting systems, you may need to update your commenter account. Make sure you have a Disqus account – they’re free and easy to get – and then comment away.
The race cars found last week fell into two distinct categories, LeMons contenders, and real-deal racers. Seemingly straddling that line – until you read the details – is this tube frame Vega found by by The Rusty Hub. If vintage racing is your bag, then this Cosworth-powered all-out racer has a lot to offer. If instead you wanted something that could go toe to toe in SCCA’s current Grand Touring classes, then this might be a cheap seat entry. Either way, it won last week. Congrats to The Rusty Hub, and thanks to you all for your most excellent contributions.
Probably not street legal, but damn it’d be fun before you were pulled over.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/4973478231.html
Apparently “Drift Trikes” are a thing. http://images.craigslist.org/00D0D_i8N3wJ9TaDe_600x450.jpg
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/4899952716.html
Yes, they are. And stoopid fun.
“ooh, my new MillerMatic is here. What should I weld together first? I know…”
http://images.craigslist.org/00t0t_dFBZ333PdbH_600x450.jpg
http://stcloud.craigslist.org/mcy/4922703395.html
Is that a Daihatsu Hijet converted into a trike?!
http://daytona.craigslist.org/mcy/4930649779.html
I knew Daytona Beach CL would be a gold mine.
http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/4946043092.html
Only $13K
This one is, and I quote, “Very safe.” For some reason I have a doubt or two.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDQ5WDgwMA==/z/dC0AAOSwBLlVJdb2/$_27.JPG
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-atv/moose-jaw/trike-for-sale/1063102539?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
This one has a steering wheel and A/C/ http://images.craigslist.org/00N0N_hZdzUuqYgbW_600x450.jpg
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/4975462397.html
2.3 Mazda/Ford 4 cylinder IIRC.
I hope that company went so far out of business
82 motorcycle with side car – $3400http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/mcy/4960844476.html
Specifically, a Honda V45 750, Vetter fairings and one bitchin ’70s sidecar.
A 150cc Trike http://images.craigslist.org/00G0G_2pRw5UoyfkH_600x450.jpg
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/4959965530.html
You want a trailer with that? It’s a Schwinn!
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/4970421672.html
Looks like the Asian equivalent of a Chevy Suburban. I know in Taiwan the law says that only 3 or 4 people max can ride on one scooter/motorcycle. That law is often ignored.
The scary part is I have the next level up bike trailer to pull my kids with my city bicycle. It says on a sticker “Not intended for use at speeds over 10 MPH.”
I’ve hit 24.
I hope this guy is only using this as a trunk.
Engine options, let’s see… I know! Mustang V-6! Got one propping a door open.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/4974723375.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00P0P_eAXCYGdI8vn_600x450.jpg
A trio of trikes for a mere $2.5K.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/clt/4958452801.html
You didn’t buy them yet?
Piaggio MP3
http://images.craigslist.org/00B0B_jETi9HVWbZQ_600x450.jpg
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/mcy/4908137041.html
Cool little bikes. The front suspension is actually designed to lean into corners, unlike most moto-trikes. Safe and stable, unlike that Chinese 150cc deathtrap above.
M-72, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnepr_M-72
1956, 746 cm3, 19kw, 100000 km
http://www.soov.ee/parnumaa/M_72_3266320.htm
http://varnish.soov.ee/images/23/2347612045.jpg
Then there is THIS: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE5NVgxNjAw/z/of4AAOSwWKtUtd~-/$_57.JPG
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Built-Motorcycles-Other-/251916660529
It has THREE seatbelts, it must be safe.
Just to be clear, my upvote does not mean I like it.
Just to be clear, the phrasing of your clarification doesn’t mean you don’t.
In the quote it is stated “craptacular and otherwise” – this is most definite craptacular.
http://images.craigslist.org/00505_dPZbbL8jm0o_600x450.jpg
I’ll have to defer to Tanshanomi on the question of whether this Chang Jiang M5A is as unusual as the seller suggests.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/4954424121.html
50 cm3 Trike-moped, home-built
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/andere-eigenbau-trike-worms/207773083.html?lang=en
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/oOgAAOSwEeFVHYC6/$_1.JPG
Zhenhua Zh X 50 Trike Roller 50cc
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/andere-zhenhua-zh-x-50-trike-roller-50cc-sch%C3%B6neck/194630801.html?lang=en
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTc2WDEwMjQ=/z/fQUAAOSwdsFUN7Tq/$_1.JPG
Love the fully optioned out “socialism carrier of Soviet-German friendship” on the back of it.
IMAGE FAIL You’re only one Volkswagen Beetle drivetrain away from making this…
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/4973881116.html
…into this!
Ace and Gary needed a second vehicle.
ISC Skyteam Monkey
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/skyteam-trike-isc-skyteam-monkey-sch%C3%B6neck/138040654.html?lang=en
http://i.ebayimg.com/23/!!tH8gwwCW0~$(KGrHqMOKm4Ey2FnIbC4BM1EGJ)vyw~~_19.JPG
Boom Hayabusa Trike Modell “Ultimate”
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/boom-hayabusa-trike-modell-ultimate-sontheim-a-d-bre/181020386.html?lang=en
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$T2eC16VHJHoFGkd1GoN5BRzT7-UQUQ~~48_1.JPG
This $2,800 Corvair-powered contraption takes the whole “Unsafe at Any Speed” thing to a whole new level.
http://images.craigslist.org/00v0v_iyfgaRIwawz_600x450.jpg
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4947331693.html
There’s more weight behind the rear axle than in front of it? I’m sure that’s a good idea!
(The Corvairs themselves had a 38% / 62% F/R weight distribution)…
Pannonia, Duna 1963
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/andere-pannonia-duna-1963-l%C3%BChmannsdorf/207874874.html?lang=en
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/NBUAAOSwqu9VIjtn/$_1.JPG
http://images.craigslist.org/00J0J_drDXyClyCxC_600x450.jpg
I’m ignoring the wheel count for this one because it’s a Chrysler Sno-Runner for $575.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/snw/4970972526.html
Back in the day, my uncle owned the waterborne cousin of this little beastie, the Wetbike. He would have been seen terrorizing holidaymakers on Lake Bemidji throughout the 80s. Alcohol was likely involved.
And to think they could have called it the Boatercycle.
Jawa 350 with Velorex sidecar
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/jawa-350-mit-beiwagen-gespann-velorex-tausch-m%C3%B6glich-schwetzingen/206522794.html?lang=en
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/vWEAAOSwpDdU~D0c/$_1.JPG
I like the idea of a Ural but am put off by the build quality (at least for any year I could afford). Perhaps a BMW with a Ural sidecar is a better answer.
https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/4950441336.html
There is a local dealers for Ural here. I know the guy personally, he is very meticulous in assembling these things. He has a machine shop and any parts he has deemed unfit get replaced with better engineered bits. I can’t seem to find a website but he is kinda old school so it doesn’t surprise me.
Tijuanna Taxi! (I’m sure that is probably something dirty in the Urban Dictionary)
http://images.craigslist.org/01717_5u4rfSNTpdZ_600x450.jpg
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4977985047.html
Looks like Jezzer has already taken it for a spin.
No, but John Phillips at Car & Driver reviewed one: http://www.caranddriver.com/columns/wildfire-wf650-c
2014 Triker50 with autoClutchless trans. Electric start
http://images.craigslist.org/01414_8hZM2cN9KZr_600x450.jpg
http://cnj.craigslist.org/mcd/4935785453.html
$1,795
Dude. Rukus 50 trike. Seriously. Full page with many more pictures:
http://www.cyclehousenj.com/gallery/363-2013-Other-Rukus-50-Trike/#
http://www.cyclehousenj.com/gallery/images/listing_photos/363-7.jpg
Don’t know much about bikes, but I do know I like the look and nostalgia of Indians.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTk3WDgwMA==/z/KZYAAOSw-7RVDE8s/$_27.JPG
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/medicine-hat/indian-with-sidecar/1058555025?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
You think the matching theme sidecar is crazy enough … but then you notice the front wheel “apparatus”. Not sure if next level race engineering or just nuts.
http://suchen.mobile.de/motorrad-inserat/suzuki-b-king-ruko-straßen-und-sportgespann-heiningen/203688051.html?lang=en
forgot about this one I spotted while on a Road Trip up in Tennessee a few years back
For the more insane: http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm169/TeamFletcher/SMPSept27-282014.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm169/TeamFletcher/body3.jpg
http://sidecarracers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2305
It has armrests !
http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/4955062409.html
Yep, Tennessee will have plenty of craptacular
Vespa rig is kinda neato
http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/4962569392.html
Porshe powered trike , with whisky barrels – and a whisky barrel tow trailer !
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/mcy/4968417897.html
Does this count ? It is a craptacular way to crash a trike when the time comes…
http://athensga.craigslist.org/spo/4918953676.html
Or you could use it to deliver mail to the White House…
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/small-helicopter-lands-on-u-s-capitol-lawn-raising-security-alarm-1.3034315
Although, both could potentially end in serious bodily harm.
Here’s a genuine, full-sized, real Harley-Davidson trike for $25:
http://images.craigslist.org/00W0W_1Sg3kXYGSNN_600x450.jpg
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/for/4979111742.html
Now you just need to show up at Sturgis with it…
http://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_lpJL2twcwBj_600x450.jpg
I like how carlos cleverly embedded his phone number:
7hello 8my 7name 4is 7carlos 0and I 0am 9selling a 0brand 6new road warrior trike 250cc $4000obo
if any questions please call.
I’m re-enlisting my entry from a couple weeks back here…
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4893396240.html
http://images.craigslist.org/01313_QBrzN03mi4_600x450.jpg