An Italian/American motorcycle, this little 48-cc two-wheeler wasn’t a catalog bike, but it’s super rare and appears to be in excellent condition. And it sounds like it’s never been used? This unusual early-1970s Moto BM/Yankee Boss Mini Bike can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Woodstock, Georgia, and they’re asking $3,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for the tip!
The seller says that this little bike has been sitting in a showroom or a basement since it was new. The only thing I see that doesn’t look perfect is that the “Boss” name on the gas tank is mostly worn off. That would be much easier to redo than spending $2,000 on chrome. I thought that I was fairly plugged in to the motorcycle and minibike world, but I have never seen one of these until now. Thanks, PRA4SNW! I wish I could justify spending $4,500 (with shipping) for this little gem.
Successful Italian motorcycle racer Mario Bonvicini designed a 500-cc racing motorcycle for the Baudo and Meldi Company in Bologna, Italy, in the early 1930s. Two decades later, he founded Bonvicini Marino Company, sometimes seen as Moto B.M. His firm made smaller motorcycles and mopeds, and almost two more decades passed before he connected with a gentleman named John Taylor. Taylor owned Yankee Motors in Schenectady, NY, and Mr. Taylor was looking for a 50-cc bike for the line-up. The Boss 50, or the Yankee Boss, was born.
Some sources say these bikes were sold by Yankee Motors between 1968 and 1972, but as with most things on the internet, there is conflicting information. The New York State Museum says they were made between 1966 and 1975. This is what turns my hair gray, and what causes some of you to comment that Barn Finds writers are often wrong. From what I’ve found, they were all this bright yellow color, and there were two models: the Maxi with 14″ wheels and the Super with 12″ wheels. Bigger than most minibikes, the Yankee Boss was somewhere between a standard minibike with a pull-start engine and a regular kick-start motorcycle.
This one appears to be an absolute jewel, other than the worn “Boss” letters on the sides of the gas tank. And, maybe since I enlarged this photo, is that a hole in the side of the seat? Otherwise, bella! The engine is a 48-cc Franco Morini two-stroke single-cylinder backed by a 4-speed manual. The seller says this example is in excellent condition, but they don’t say whether it runs or not. If it’s been stored for more than five decades, it would be nice to know that. Most of you are laughing at a $3,500 asking price for this, when you can get a “real” motorcycle for that money. You have to realize that humans don’t all like the same things. Some folks (including me) are into small motorcycles like this one, and that’s what makes the world go-’round. Have any of you heard of the Yankee “Boss” motorcycle?
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