1966 BENELLI WARDS RIVERSIDE 125 – MADE IN ITALY – BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL SURVIVOR – RUNS – ROY THACKER COLLECTION DIAMOND! ONLY 1518 MILES

A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF 1960s ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE HISTORY!

CLEAN TITLE IN HAND

Offered for sale by Kaplan Cycles and the New England Motorcycle Museum

Check out this absolutely gorgeous 1966 Montgomery Ward Riverside 125, an authentic Italian-built classic manufactured by Benelli and originally sold through Montgomery Ward department stores across America!

This incredible survivor comes from the legendary 92-motorcycle Roy Thacker Collection out of Texas, a collection known for exceptionally well-preserved, low-mileage original motorcycles.

Roy had an eye for finding the finest original examples, and this Riverside 125 is another perfect example of the quality of machines he collected.

After spending several years on display here at the New England Motorcycle Museum, we're offering this beautiful little Italian two-stroke to its next caretaker.

BEST OF ALL IT RUNS AWESOME!

This is not just another forgotten vintage motorcycle sitting in a barn. This is a beautifully preserved, running, 60-year-old piece of motorcycle history that looks like a time capsule from the 1960s!

INCREDIBLE ORIGINAL CONDITION — A TRUE TIME CAPSULE!

Take a close look at the photographs and video. The condition of this motorcycle speaks for itself.

The stunning red, gold, and white factory paint scheme is absolutely gorgeous. From the beautifully painted fuel tank and matching frame to the original seat, lighting, exhaust, and factory details, this little Riverside has survived the decades remarkably well.

The craftsmanship and styling are unmistakably Italian.

ORIGINAL FEATURES & HIGHLIGHTS

THE DETAILS MAKE THIS MOTORCYCLE SPECIAL!

One of our favorite features is the original factory break-in instruction decal, showing the recommended speeds during the engine's break-in period. It's the type of detail that collectors love to find intact after nearly six decades.

The original fuel mixture instructions are another great period detail.

The factory Brevetti Silentium exhaust is still present, along with the original carburetor and air cleaner. These are exactly the types of components that are often missing or replaced on vintage motorcycles.

The original saddle is in exceptional shape, and the bodywork, paint, and overall presentation are outstanding for a motorcycle of this age.

Even the vintage Pirelli tires complement the motorcycle's authentic Italian appearance.

This is the kind of machine that makes you stop and appreciate how beautifully motorcycles were built in the 1960s.

MECHANICAL CONDITION — RUNS EXCELLENT!

We recently fired this Riverside up using an auxiliary fuel tank, and the engine started right up and runs fantastic!

The little 125cc Benelli two-stroke sounds great and runs strong.

The rear brake is extremely responsive and has excellent stopping power. We also verified that the headlight and taillight operate.

RECOMMENDED SERVICE BEFORE RIDING

Although the engine runs very well, this motorcycle has spent years in private collections and museum displays and will require some routine recommissioning before regular use.

We recommend the following:

The motorcycle is being sold as-is, with the service needs described above.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants a running, remarkably original vintage Italian motorcycle that can be preserved as-is or brought back into regular riding condition with appropriate servicing.

FROM THE ROY THACKER COLLECTION — TEXAS TO NEW ENGLAND!

This Riverside came from the remarkable 92-motorcycle collection assembled by Roy Thacker in Texas.

Roy specialized in finding beautiful, low-mileage, well-preserved original motorcycles. Rather than heavily modifying or restoring them, he appreciated the craftsmanship and originality of these historic machines.

This Riverside embodies that philosophy.

It spent years in Roy's private collection before being acquired by Kaplan Cycles and placed on display in the New England Motorcycle Museum.

The vintage Texas license plate displayed on the motorcycle is one of Roy's plates, adding another interesting detail to its collecting history. The plate is not being represented as current registration.

We believe this is one of the final motorcycles from Roy's extraordinary collection that we are offering for sale.

A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE COLLECTOR!

Montgomery Ward's Riverside motorcycles represent a fascinating chapter of American and Italian motorcycling history.

During the 1960s, American buyers could visit their local Montgomery Ward department store and purchase a genuine Italian-built motorcycle.

Benelli manufactured these machines with the same Italian styling and engineering character that made its motorcycles so popular.

Today, finding a complete, beautifully preserved Riverside 125 with its original paint, factory components, and period details intact is increasingly difficult.

Whether you're a collector of Benelli motorcycles, Montgomery Ward memorabilia, vintage two-strokes, or unusual Italian machines, this Riverside deserves a place in your collection.

It would make an outstanding addition to a vintage motorcycle display, private museum, dealership showroom, or carefully curated motorcycle collection.

WHY ARE WE SELLING IT?

Here at the New England Motorcycle Museum, our mission is to preserve, celebrate, and share motorcycle history.

We have a massive new collection of vintage motorcycles arriving, and we're making room by offering some of our previously displayed machines to collectors and enthusiasts.

We believe a museum should always have something fresh and exciting for visitors to see.

This motorcycle is being sold to benefit the New England Motorcycle Museum Continuation Fund, helping us continue our mission of preserving historic motorcycles for future generations.

By purchasing this Riverside, you're not only acquiring a beautiful piece of Italian motorcycle history — you're helping support the continuation of the museum.

THE BOTTOM LINE

This is a beautiful, original-appearing 1966 Wards Riverside 125, manufactured by Benelli in Italy, with exceptional period styling and outstanding preservation.

It has a documented collecting history with the Roy Thacker Collection and has been displayed at the New England Motorcycle Museum.

It starts, runs great from an auxiliary fuel supply, has working lights, and presents absolutely beautifully.

With appropriate fuel-system repairs, recommissioning, and safety inspections, its next owner can decide whether to preserve this remarkable survivor as a display piece or prepare it for riding.

Don't miss your chance to own this incredible little Italian classic!

QUESTIONS? CALL KAPLAN CYCLES!

860-454-7024

We encourage serious buyers to review all photographs and the accompanying video carefully and contact us with any questions.

Offered by Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum, Rockville, Connecticut.

Motorcycle is sold as-is, as described. Due to its age and extended display history, additional service needs may be discovered during recommissioning. Current title and registration status should be confirmed with our sales team.

PRESERVING MOTORCYCLE HISTORY — ONE CLASSIC AT A TIME!

Thanks for watching, and God Bless America!

— The Kaplan Cycles Family
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected by our team.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call, and we will help make it right.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

 That means:
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; restoring an as-is project bike sale, adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We do not register pre owned motorcycles. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state if they are included.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle if the motorcycle was advertised with keys, some project bikes have no keys, all restored bikes will include keys

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.