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1973 GEMINI BOSS 80
Absolutely Stunning No Expense Spared Restoration
World Mini World Championship Winning Legend
A Concours Restoration With Museum Provenance
Guys, I’m genuinely excited about this one—and if you’re a serious vintage mini or two-stroke collector, you should be too.
I had never even seen a Gemini in person before this one. Then the story unfolded.
In 1972, the Gemini Boss 80 won the International Mini World Championship at Saddleback, California, defeating a brutally competitive Class A field packed with Yamaha GT80s and Honda XR75s. The winning rider? Bobby Tocco—and yes, Bobby himself reached out and confirmed he won the championship on this exact model.
Even better: the Boss 80 appeared on the October 1972 cover of Mini Cycle Magazine with the headline “Tocco Wins National Title.” The factory promotion said it best—after more than 150 races and eliminations, the Gemini Boss 80 stood alone, praised for its powerful and reliable 80cc two-stroke engine, strong brakes, durable frame, and excellent suspension.
This bike didn’t just compete. It dominated.
Full Provenance & Restoration
This particular Gemini Boss 80 comes from the legendary collection of Roy Thacker, who selected it as one of the top 20 diamonds from his 93-bike collection and generously donated it to the New England Motorcycle Museum to support our Museum Continuation Fund.
The restoration was performed by the one and only Bill Bucholz (“Dr. Bill”) and represents a true frame-off, concours-level restoration—meaning better than the day it left the factory in every measurable way.
Please Watch the Video For Full Restoration Highlights
A Concours level restoration – museum-grade, better than new
- The entire bike was dismantled to the frame and completely restored.
- Engine Rebuilt From The Crank Up, all New Bearings, Gaskets and Seals
- New Piston and Rings
- Transmission and Clutch Rebuilt
- All New Show quality Paint Throughout
Triple chrome plating throughout (best-level chrome service: sanded, polished, then triple plated)
Front wheel triple-chromed with flawless finish
All hardware chromed – including sprocket and even the kickstand
Original shocks fully disassembled, replated, and rebuilt
Hubs vapor-blasted, primed, and painted
New spokes, tires, sprocket, cables, wiring harness, grips, rubber, and air filter
NOS or brand-new components throughout
Six coats of clear over show-quality paint
Restored speedometer
Original embossed steel & chrome gas cap with engraved Gemini Boss logo
(they don’t make them like this anymore)
The engine fires right up, runs beautifully, and pulls hard—exactly how a proper 80cc two-stroke should. The bike has only 8 miles since restoration, accumulated when Bill couldn’t resist a few careful laps before display.
Details Worth Zooming In On
Polished aluminum throughout
Chromed head stays, clamps, and fasteners
Perfect exhaust guard chrome
Beautifully restored controls and shifter
Seat upholstery is flawless
Airbox restored to as-new condition
- way to much done to list it all, please watch the video for full disclosure
This is as close to brand-new, out-of-the-crate as a 1970s mini can possibly be.
- Headlight and taillight are not currently working we going to look at it this week
Bike is being sold exactly as shown
Extremely rare—most collectors will never see another in this condition
Final Thoughts
The bike Bobby Tocco raced to victory didn’t look this good—it earned its scars over 150 races. This one, however, has been remastered to a level that simply did not exist in 1972.
If you want an iconic, historically significant mini that represents the absolute pinnacle of restoration quality, this is it.
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR NEXT MOTORCYCLE FROM KAPLAN CYCLES?
WHAT DO YOU GET? HOW DO WE ADD VALUE?
Ken Sr Tells you why here;
“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 for three generations, since 1960.
You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 22 experts on our team.
We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish.
Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale.
You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.
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.
With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• 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 do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
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 on weekends, and we will help make it right.
Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.
Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.
We do not currently offer after sale upgrades and extra services on the bikes we sell online
but we promise the bikes are delivered as advertised
You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset
You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.
Our Mission is Simple; To serve People and add value, To solve problems & stand behind our work.
We take care of our clients, for life.
Together we Enrich and Continue The Legacy of Motorcycle history.
From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.
Sincerely,
Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”
📞 Questions? Call us directly at 860-454-7024
📍 New England Motorcycle Museum
🙏 Thanks for watching, and God Bless America
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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; 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
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We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV.
We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.
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.
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Warranty:
All Motorycles 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.
