We’re approaching the end of January, which means that Vegas is about to host the world’s two biggest motorcycle auctions. Let’s take a look at what Bonhams is offering this year! Traditionally, Bonhams and Mecums have their big auctions in the same week in Vegas, and the former usually sells a smaller amount of higher-ticket bikes. That behavior continues this year, as Bonhams has 106 lots but Mecum will be trying to move 1,750! No matter what, there will be something for everyone in Vegas this week. I will not be able to make it for the Bonhams auction but I am trying to get out to Vegas on Thursday or Friday. Will you be there? Drop me a line!
As I stated above, Bonhams has 106 lots for sale this year. If you’ve got some time you can click here to look at them all, or just check out my 5 favorites below:
1. “Goliath” – 1973/1980 Harley-Davidson XRTT – no sales estimate given. This was the result of a Bay Area racer named Vance Breese pairing up with Alan Sputhe. It competed in drag racing, road racing, and even land speed – in 1980 it set a 10.554 second quarter-mile time in a Cycle World story, it took the SCTA Bonneville National class record (MPS-AG) at 176.615 mph, and it won the AFM series Unlimited Class road racing championship. Not bad. At the time it had an all-aluminum 1,300cc Sputhe short-stroke motor but that was rebuilt into a 1,200cc motor designed for road racing, which is how the bike is still set up.
2. 1977 MV Agusta 750S America – estimated to sell between $85,000 – $100,000. The US importer of MV Agustas was Commerce Overseas Corporation, and they convinced MV to take the existing 750S and create an updated version for the US. The motor was enlarged to 789cc and styling updates turned it into one of the most desirable motorcycles of the 70s. This example was originally owned by the importer, who used it for shows and mag tests. It has had only one other owner since. It was signed by John Surtees at Daytona in 1994, and the bike was restored between 2014-2016. There’s also a 850SS for sale, but I just prefer the styling of the 750.
3. 1985 Ducati-NCR 850 Road Racer – estimated to sell between $80,000 – $120,000. Originally bought as a 750TT F1 by American racer Pete Johnson, this was later bored out to 850cc by Fast by Ferracci. Other features include a Harris Performance frame, Verlicchi aluminum swingarm, Brembo brakes, Veglia tach, Marzocchi M1R forks, and a WP shock. Pete would win the 1987 AMA Pro Twins GP2 Championship on this bike, as would Dale Quarterley after Eraldo Ferraci bought the bike from Johnson to use as a test mule. Jeff Nash bought the bike in 1989, and it ended up with a few other owners over the years. It was restored in 2012 with the intent of bringing it back to the state when Pete Johnson rode it. It puts down 115 horsepower to the rear wheel.
4. 1955 Vincent Firefly 48cc Cyclemotor – estimated to sell between $4,000 – $8,000. Vincent had quite a reputation of building top-of-the-line bikes that commanded top-of-the-line prices – that was fine in the 30s and 40s, but as WWII hit, consumers were looking at cheaper riders to use for transportation purposes. In 1953, they introduced the Firefly, a 45cc engine built under license from Miller which was designed to be bolted on to a bicycle. It was quite a surprise for riders who were used to seeing the Vincent name on only the best of the best. For more information on the Firefly, check out this story on Cyclemaster. This example has been attached to a Sun bicycle and as Bonhams puts it, “this Firefly must represent by far the cheapest route to Vincent ownership.” The seller claims that all this needs is a new battery.
5. 1951 Vincent Black Lightning – no sale estimate given. One of the most famous Black Lightnings built, this 4-owner bike is best known for the 47-year ownership of Jack Ehret. As the Bonhams description so eloquently puts it, this Vincent “has so far clocked up 8,587 kilometres (the kilometre speedometer was fitted from new in “European” specification) and virtually every single metre has been covered in pursuit of glory.” It was mechanically restored by Patrick Godet and is believed to be one of 19 surviving numbers-matching examples. For more about this legendary bike, check out this story on GregWapling.com.
Bonus Action:
A few of the lots are supplemental “automobilia”, and they include several interesting drawings by Kenneth Howard (you may know him as Von Dutch). This illustration of a streamlined Triumph is my favorite, and it’s estimated to sell between $600-$750:
