Sounds like all silver screen celebrities owned motorcycles with their estates deciding that it’s no more worth it to keep them. Formerly the property of legendary Hollywood actor Charles Bronson, this 1972 Honda XL250 dirt bike was owned, registered and ridden regularly by the silver screen icon and remains in original unrestored condition. This motorcycle was consigned by the Bronson estate (after the actor’s death) to the 2007 Bonhams auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles where the current owner purchased it.
1972 was the first year for this model and was Honda’s very first commercial attempt at a dirt bike. This, therefore, is the “father” of Honda’s extremely impressive and successful line of off-road motorbikes. Weighing approx. 300lbs with fuel and oil, it has a single cylinder 4-stroke, 250cc motor with an all-alloy, overhead-cam, 4-valve unit with integral 5-speed gearbox, housed in a robust cradle-type frame. Still registered in Bronson’s name, this motorcycle has not been modified in any respect since it was purchased at auction from the Bronson estate. It has been in dry storage since the auction and has not been titled, registered or started. Included were all the following documents: original California registration cards in Bronson’s name for 1984, 1985 and 1986, and an original 1985 AAA insurance card in Bronson’s name. These documents will be given to the new owner of this motorcycle. You can bid by jumping to eBay Motors.
Bronson was as cool as McQueen. Maybe that’s why they co-starred in at least 4 movies together. Sure, he was not as an accomplished bike rider or car racer as McQueen but he was just as cool and tough. So while McQueen bikes fetch $50K today, getting a Bronson bike for under $5k seems like an incredible deal. Good luck to the new owner!
Plus the Honda XL250 was at that time the leader in trailbike technology. 4 valves per cylinder, D.I.D. alloy rims stock, the suspension and the lightweight were all the big news in all the dirtbike mags. Then the 250 Elsinore came out. Being a Bronson bike also makes this bike.
I bought one of these XL250’s when they came out. $750 out the door from Simi Valley Honda. Was a great enduro bike and I ended up on Honda’s Enduro Team in the ’70’s. Honda was the leader in 4-stroke technology way back in the day.
Media guy
Honda was the leader in 4-stroke technology way back in the day.
this xl and the 250 elsinore were great bikes and still are fun to ride today
Next to HD’s love these ole hondas, starting with the cub, 450’s & original 750’s and so many others to name.
the one Honda that was WAY ahead of its time was the Transalp, these on off road bikes are one of the hottest markets going……..that ktm 990 Adventure is a great all round bike in this segment
They still fetch $3000+ on ebay, i saw 2 of them in Nemo last summer, still looked great!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Transalp
If you noticed on my wife’s bike Golden Deliverance I used a modified front end and both wheels from an 1972 XL250
That is one awesome bike. I can’t beleive it is selling for soooo cheap on ebay.
Way cool.