’29 HARLEY TOPS SHANNONS SUMMER AUCTION

Held online from 16 to 23 February, the auction included 23 motorcycles, covering a multitude of makes, models and eras – everything from a 1928 BMW to a ‘2009’ Harris-Suzuki and a 125cc Suzuki GAG bike to a 1000cc Honda Goldwing.

The bikes were part of an overall consignment list that numbered 173 lots and included automobiles, garagenalia and other collectables.

’29 Harley tops Shannons Summer Auction — Restored Harley-Davidson J Model features the 1929 factory option of black pinstripe paint, instead of the usual olive green.

Of the 23 motorcycles consigned, all found new owners, with the ’29 Harley J Model the best seller.

Introduced in 1915, initially with a 61ci (1000cc) F head v-twin and a three-speed transmission, the J Model was advanced for its time, with subsequent improvements keeping it at the top of the range.

For 1929, the J-Model’s final year in the Harley catalogue, new features included a front brake (introduced the year before) and the option of a twin headlight and custom paint, both of which were on the bike auctioned. The fully-restored J Model sold for $64,000 - the top end of its pre-auction estimate.

A much newer Harley, in the form of a 2011 FLSTF Fat Boy, also hit the upper end of its pre-auction estimate, selling for $20,000.

Next best seller behind the ’29 Harley was a 1980/2009 Harris-Suzuki XR69 1000. The dual year referred to the bike’s 2009 build to 1980 specs, making it eligible for historic competition. That build was undertaken by Roger Winfield’s team for the inaugural Isle of Man Post Classic Grand Prix, combining a Harris F1 frame with a Suzuki GS1000 engine and close-ratio five-speed Nova gearbox.

Believed to have also been raced at the Phillip Island Classic, the bike was offered with an historic logbook, and despite needing recommissioning, sold above estimate for $42,500.

Vintage BMWs also performed well, with a rare 1928 R62 750 twin, described as the only example in Australia, selling for $40,000, while a newer 1956 R26 single made $11,500.

Other good results included $25,053 for a 1952 Triumph Thunderbird 650 pre-unit outfit (Dusting sidecar), $15,013 for a fully-restored 1965 Triumph Bonneville 650 and $12,000 for a “resto ready” 1939 Triumph 6S 600SV, while a 1961 Piaggio 150 almost doubled its pre-auction estimate to sell for $15,600.