It's not every day you stumble upon a Norton Commando that looks ready to ride. Many of the good ones are being stashed away in collections, and even a basket-case Commando can bring a pretty penny anymore. But this Roadster looks like that perfect example of a well-loved but well-used bike that makes us itch for a tank full of gas and a warm spring day.

According to the auction listing, the current owner is the third owner of this Norton. As best we can tell, it looks like the tank and side covers wear the original paint and decals, and the owner mentions that these pieces have been clear-coated. The fenders have been painted black and clear-coated, and it wears a new Corbin seat, new tires, battery, wiring, grips and more. The owner states that the bike runs great and that the title is clear.

Though not perfect, this looks like a great Commando to buy and ride. If you're as curious as we are, visit the auction for this Norton Commando 850 Roadster here. 

If you've ever ridden an old Guzzi, the simple sight of one brings back a rush of memories. They have a unique sound and feel, and once we stumbled upon this one on eBay, we couldn't help but share it.

This 1969 Moto Guzzi V7 was purchased by the current owner from a fellow who had acquired it in 1974 and didn't appear to have gotten much use out of it. According to the auction, when the current owner got it, "the right cylinder needed to be resleeved and the bike was in worn condition. Since then it has had a teardown, going through, clean up and an ongoing restoration. Modifications have been minimal."

This appears to be a well-loved old bike in need of little but a new owner. To vist the auction for this Moto Guzzi V7, go here. 

As the eBay ad says, "Yes this is the bike you saw in the magazine. What magazine? Any one." Well, yes, it was featured in many magazines, but it was featured on the cover of Motorcycle Classics nearly four years ago, and it's still one of our favorites. Currently owned by Old Bike Barn (www.OldBikeBarn.com), the bike is being auctioned off by Rice Paddy Motorcycles. According to Bear from Old Bike Barn, he's enjoyed the bike but is ready to pusue some different projects.

According to the auction, this is Carpy's first bike built in America, and it incorporates such features as finned engine covers, a fiberglass tailpiece, a Borrani-style H rim front wheel, a race gas tank, individual air filters, a 4-into-1 exhaust, a chrome swingarm, remote reservoir shocks, a Lucas-style tail light, clubman handlebars, drilled brakes for weight reduction, and rearsets for better ground clearance.

To see our story on Carpy and his Honda CB750's, go here.

Admit it: Sometimes everyone needs a challenge. You can't always do the easy thing. Restoring this Trident would probably be what we like to call a "learning experience." But isn't it tempting just the same?

Editor Backus and I have both told multiple friends the same thing: If you've decided on a make and model of bike you want, find the nicest, most original example you can, and buy it. Spending a little extra for a nicer example is often much easier (and less expensive in the end) than fixing a truly rough bike.

But then there's the other side of the coin: Isn't it tempting to see how cheap you could buy a this-close-to-100-percent original bike that somebody just has to save? It's tempting us.

According to the auction, the Trident is mostly complete, but the engine is stuck and that's rarely a good sign. Don't be scared though, because the auction clearly states that "... it did run when stored." Assuming it is correct, the odometer reads just 596.7 miles.

For more info and to visit the auction for this 1969 Triumph Trident, go here.