BONHAMS LAS VEGAS MOTORCYCLE AUCTION

Compiled from a number of collections and private consignments, the mega auction of almost 300 lots covered all makes, models and eras, everything from a Hildebrand & Wolfmuller to a Harley Hummer! In addition to the bikes, the auction also featured a large quantity of spare parts, literature and motorcycle memorabilia. More than 200 of the consigned lots, including some rare, big dollar items sold.

Of particular interest to fans of Australian motorcycling history was Lot 112, a G.C.S. 750cc twin. One of few survivors built by Cyril George Stillwell (hence GCS) in Melbourne between 1913 and 1926, the example auctioned was a 1919 model with an M.A.G. 750cc F-head V-twin engine. The consignor believed it to be the sole remaining example of this model. Beautifully restored and carrying all the signature vintage motorcycle touches - v-belt drive, hand shift gear change, girder forks, pull-back handlebars, and acetylene headlamp - the GCS was a real treat for fans of rare vintage motorcycles. Unsurprisingly, given its rarity and condition, the GCS exceeded its reserve, selling for US$52,650. JUST BIKES featured a 1914 770cc JAP-engined GCS for sale in 1992 (reprinted in the JUST BIKES 1995-96 Annual), but no other examples of this rare marque are known to have been advertised through JUST BIKES since.

Another super-rare item was the restored C1894/1895 Hildebrand & Wolfmuller. While not the very first motorcycle, the significance of the H&W is the fact it was the first to enter series production, and the first such machine to actually be identified and sold as a 'motorcycle'. The Hildebrand brothers, Heinrich and Wilhelm, and Alois Wolfmuller, had built a steam-powered motorcycle in 1889 before switching to petrol-powered engines in 1894. Some sources claim that close to 1000 of these motorcycles (others claim up to 2000) were built before the firm folded in 1897. Irrespective of the actual number produced, only around six are known to exist today, with the Vegas-auctioned example one of the very few in private hands. An original, unrestored H&W sold at Bonhams April, 2010 UK auction for $86,000 (approx $136,000AUD). The Vegas-auctioned H&W had been restored to as-new, non-running condition in the 1980s. Final selling price was US$161,000 - a record price for a motorcycle of this type.

Classic British bike enthusiasts had plenty to choose from at Vegas, with a tasty pair of 1952 Vincent Series C machines - a Rapide and Black Shadow - arguably being the pick of the Brit consignments. The two-owner, US-delivered Rapide was billed as one of only 30 produced in 'Chinese Red' paint, and had only covered 10,000 miles from new. It sold for US$99,540. 1948 and 1949 Series B Vincent-HRD Rapides sold for US$42,120 each. Unlike the Chinese Red Rapide, the '52 Black Shadow had been fully restored and was a stunning example of the model. US-delivered in 1952 and purchased by the consignor in 1974, the Black Shadow was subjected to a long, fastidious resto soon after. Recognised as a concours-quality example in 2004, this lot included an original rider's handbook, spare parts list and other documentation in the US$88,920 hammer price. Other British bikes of note included a desirable 1964 Greeves trials bike, which sold for US$4095, and an ex-British ISDT Team Cheney-Triumph. The 1968 model was restored in 1982 by Danny Macias, BSA/Triumph's former race boss. The provenance attached to this 500cc single saw it attract a price of US$10,530. For TT fans, the 1921 New Imperial race bike was another one of the premium lots. The ex-Douglas Prentice 1921 Junior 250cc TT winner had actually been road registered until 1977. Powered by a JAP 250cc single and still in good, original condition, the New Imperial came with an extensive history file and sold for US$51,480. A number of BSA, Triumph, Norton, Rudge and other British marques were also on offer, with a Black Alpine 680 model Brough Superior among the small amount of lots passed in.

Enthusiasts of vintage American motorcycles were also well catered for at Vegas, with many early Harleys, Indians and other long-gone US marques crossing the blocks. The top lot amongst these was the 1901 Indian F-head 'camel back' single, the third prototype built, using parts from the first two Indian prototype singles. Originally sold in the UK, the Indian came back to the US with its original owner and went through a couple of other owners before it became part of the Otis Chandler collection. Chandler commissioned a concours-standard restoration before selling the bike to the consignor in 2006. The 1901 Indian's status as arguably one of the most important vintage US motorcycles was reflected in the final hammer price of US$133,500. Another machine from the Chandler collection to fetch big dollars was a 1911 Curtiss Marvel 500cc single. Before he took to the skies, Glenn Curtiss raced, sold and built motorcycles. One of the most powerful bikes of the era, the Marvel featured innovations like cast-in fuel and oil tank and use of the engine as a stressed frame member. The engine itself had provision for a second spark plug, and the forks were of Curtiss's own design. Like the Indian, the Marvel was fully restored. It sold for US$52,650.

Harley-Davidson was well represented, with the standout lot being a 1929 'Peashooter' 21ci OHV single, found at a Western Australia mining site in the 1940s. Returned to the USA and restored to running condition in the 1950s, the Peashooter was capable of 150kph+ speeds - pretty scary for a bike with no brakes! Reflecting its rarity and remarkably original condition, this Australian-delivered example went for an impressive US$125,800. A DKW-based Harley-Davidson 125cc 'Hummer' and a pair of 1920s board-track racers were amongst the many other Harleys up for auction.

A rare 1913 Flying Merkel Model Seventy was another original condition survivor and graced the cover of Bonham's catalogue for the Vegas auction. With 61ci and 7hp, Merkel V-twins were one of the most powerful American bikes available prior to World War I, regularly competing with Indian models and others in board track competition. Its rarity (Merkel ceased production in 1915) and originality explains the US$117,000 this lot attracted. Another classic 'board-tracker', which coincidentally sold for the same amount, was a 1916 Excelsior 'Big Valve X' V-twin. One of less than half a dozen still in existence, the lot on offer reportedly started as a factory racebike, passed through the hands of many privateers, and underwent a number of modifications before being restored to rolling condition a decade ago. For Excelsior enthusiasts, a 1913 Model 4C Autocycle and a sidecar-equipped 1929 Super X fetched US$38,610 and US$39,780 respectively. Having been penned by the same designer, the Henderson 'K' four cylinders share some DNA with the Super X, and a 1929 Streamline KJ was one of the most attractive lots on offer. Having been subjected to a comprehensive three-year restoration in 2005, the stunning KJ attracted a final hammer price of US$45,630.

Another ex-racer of note was Lot 241, a factory-prepared 1939 BMW R51RS competition model. One of 17 examples intended for BMW privateer racers throughout Europe, the lot on offer was sent to the US at the request of Emil Recke, BMW's American importer. Using a number of components proven by BMW in TT and other racing competition, the R51RS won a number of races in the USA, although its full competition history is unknown. A swag of memorabilia and documentation from the second owner, who had the bike for over 50 years, was included in the sale of this super-rare machine, which attracted a final price of US$130,200. Bultaco, Moto Guzzi, Mondial and Ducati also represented Europe at the Bonhams auction, with a number of classic, rare and race bikes on offer, including a fully-faired Husqvarna SMRR 'Formula 450' road racer and a classic 1971 360C Husky enduro. Remember the Condor A350 JUST BIKES featured some time back? One of its predecessors - a 1953 A580 horizontal twin - was up for auction at Vegas. Like the A350, the A580 was also an ex-Swiss Army machine and came with panniers, blackout lights and rifle slings.

Japanese brands and bikes were also consigned at Vegas, with a broad spread of models represented. An early (1967) example of Honda's CA77 Dream, one of the first 'big' Hondas exported to the US, sold for US$4914. Hondas in general were well represented amongst the Japanese lots, with many CB 350/450/550/750, CL, Mini Trail and other models on offer, most of which sold for quite affordable prices. A highlight of the more recent Japanese bikes on offer was Lot 259, a 'Walter Wolf Replica' 1986 Suzuki RG 500 Gamma. One of the hottest performance two strokes of the 1980s (and still a very potent bike today), this particular Gamma was even more special thanks to the Limited Edition Wolf replica colours. A bike for fans of F1, as well as two wheel performance, the Gamma went for a relative bargain price of only US$8775. If the name 'Marty Moates' doesn't ring a bell, we're sure 'No Fear' does! Before he co-founded the No Fear brand, Moates was a motocross racer, famously winning the US MXGP in 1980. A longstanding dirt bike enthusiast, Moates' racing connections enabled him to get hold of a 2004 Yamaha WR 450F 2-Trac, which was Lot 291 at Vegas. Never officially sold in the US, these limited production two wheel drive machines are sought after today. Judging by its good condition, Moates used the bike sparingly before he passed away in 2006. The 2-Trac was sold with extra road and sand tyres for US$8190.

Finally, oddities from the Bonhams Vegas auction included some rare American tiddlers, namely Cushman and Mustang mini scooters, as well as a bunch of 'Whizzer' motorised bicycles. Cushman are arguably better known for the scooters they produced for the US Army during World War II, before they applied the same basic design to civilian models. Mustangs were small (usually no more than 320cc) machines that looked like half scale versions of big motorcycles, with lots of Harley-inspired chrome adornment and accessories like saddlebags, screens and big, sprung seats.

Whizzers were distinctly American machines. Starting as clip-on motor kits for bicycles in 1939 before moving onto combined motor and bike units in 1948, Whizzers were immensely popular with college students and teenagers in the 1940s and 50s. A fully restored 1950 example fetched over US$2000 at Vegas - more than some of the 'real' motorcycles on offer! While not collectable to most, the Jesse James custom chopper bicycle was an interesting novelty addition to the auction, and a bargain at only US$328. Who knows, Michelle “Bombshell” McGee (or maybe Sandra Bullock) could have ridden this bike!

The full list of bikes, parts and memorabilia is far too long to reproduce here. www.bonhams.com has the entire catalogue. It's worth a look just to see the sheer variety of motorcycles that were consigned. Our thanks to Bonhams & Butterfields USA for information and all images used in this article.