We’ve seen a couple of handfuls of motorcycles still in the crate here on Barn Finds over the years, so they aren’t incredibly rare to find, but finding one crate with two brand new 1978 Honda CB125S motorcycles packed in it, never assembled, is rare. This pair of brand new 48-year-old motorcycles is listed here as a Mecum Auction, and they’ll head across the block on January 30, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thanks to Nevadahalfrack for the tip!
The frame numbers are 1508930 and 1508940, in case you were wondering. Mecum lists the color as Fire Red, and the only Honda CB125S bikes that we’ve seen on Barn Finds were both the aqua blue color. I don’t know why anyone would buy a motorcycle in a crate, let alone buy a crate packed with two of them. After almost five decades, it’ll take some work to get them on the road.
Or maybe these crate motorcycles never get assembled or ridden; they’re just used for display? Or, passed around from auction to auction, depending on how long the current owner has had it and their age. “Am I ever going to use these things? Nope, I’d better start selling some stuff, and these crated bikes would be a good place to start.” I’ve said that to myself recently, but with uncrated motorcycles and other general stuff packed into two storage units and two garages.
We got the CB125 here in the U.S. for the 1973 model year until the end of 1985, and there were small changes over the years. One of the biggest visual or physical changes was going from a round to a rectangular headlight for the final model year in 1985. We don’t see the odometers, but I’m assuming there are no miles on these bikes, other than whatever testing they did at the factory. I don’t know how there could be miles on crated, unused motorcycles.
The engines are Honda’s 124-cc SOHC, four-stroke single with around 14 horsepower and 7 lb-ft of torque when new, which they are. An as-the-motorcycle-Gods-intended 5-speed manual sends power to the rear wheel, and I’m sure these unstarted CB125Ss could be put to use again. But, will they ever be used again, or just something to show to friends, while being forever trapped in the crate?
Would be simple to get them going again and ride them after getting new tires!
Happy New Year Scotty!!! I worked part time at a Honda dealer ship years ago. After my real job I would meet with a couple friends and we would uncrate and assemble the bikes and take them for a test ride. Great gig! There was a guy that came down to take the crates and use them to build furniture. Apparently that Japanese wood made cool furniture. Have a great New Year!!!
Hey Mike! Good to hear from you. Hope all is well and looking good for the new year!
Happy New Years to you and yours Dennis and the Staff here and all the participant’s. All good here, snowing now. Take care Buddy!!!
Hey, Mike! It’s great to see your name again. What a fun job, I still remember a couple of old Honda dealerships in Duluth from the early 70s growing up.
Hopefully everyone has a super 2026!
Keep up the cool finds Scotty !! Have a great Year !!! Take care, Mike
Ready for another Mecum Moment.
About 25 years ago I was in contact with Kawasaki US headquarters. I contacted them about parts availability for the ’84-’85 ZL1000 and 900 Eliminators.
They said “Hang on a minute we had a few of those still in crates in the warehouse. Let me see if they are still there”. SAY WHAT!!!!!???
Unfortunately, they came back on the line and said they were gone.
Man how many old bikes never got un crated?
I see the crated bike pop up all the time
I’ve never worked in the industry, but I am guessing that, once the new model year came out, any bikes still in crates got pushed aside and stored in a corner of the warehouse. Maybe they would be assembled for a “spring blowout sale” or something like that.
Similarly, it’s amazing to see how many car manufacturers will list cars on their websites that are previous model year or even older as new inventory.
they should bring some good coin especially in Vegas. should do a follow up after the auction with the hammer price
Going to auction with a lot of money flying around means these will go for more than their worth.
….and a lot of alcohol.
There should be a website for crated vehicles for sale.
Happy 2026, Kids!
A lot of uncrated bikes have been stored in barns. They look great till the box comes off and the mouse damage appears. Just throwing that out there. These bikes look great but without looking in person and pulling a side cover or air box off I wouldn’t buy them. They look very tempting sure would look good in my shop. 😂😂😂
Looks good. Beware of mouse damage on stored crate units
Those bikes are gold! I also worked in a motorcycle dealership. There wouldn’t be much work involved at all. These wouldn’t have ever been started and they were, maybe still are shipped without oil or any fluids so no chance of gooped up carbs. You could assemble these and have brand new, never started vintage motorcycles. Heck yeah! Id ride one and display the other but as one reader mentioned you’d definitely need new tires. These weren’t hydraulic brakes like newer stuff either so nothing to leak. Yeah! I’d love to have those. My wallet has other ideas though. I have an old friend with 2 crated Honda CR 500s