Harley sets record at Shannons Sydney Auction

Described as a 'bag of bones' by one enthusiast, the motorcycle was a C1923 Harley-Davidson Two Cam board track racer, a rare model in itself, but what made this one even rarer was its unrestored, original condition. The Two Cam was one of the last five from a group of more than 60 Harley-Davidsons that Shannons has been auctioning off in stages for the past year.

Given its originality and condition, the pre-war racer created international interest from the outset. Bidding opened at $40,000, but soon surged through its guiding range of $48,000-$58,000 and beyond $100,000 in a duel between local and overseas phone bidders. It brought applause when it sold to an International collector for $118,000 - a result Shannons believe to be an auction record for this particular model Harley.

Of the other Harleys, a C1956 KHK (the predecessor to the 1957 Sportster) was passed in, as was a C1935 VD 74ci v-twin was also passed in, but a C1947 U47 in very good condition sold for $13,000, while a 'project' condition C1916 Model 16 '5-35' single, with a 3-speed transmission, made $12,000.

The $118K for the '23 Harley racer drove total motorcycle sales from this auction to $365,600, with other notable results being the money paid for three outstanding British bikes from a separate Sydney collection. A circa-1949 Vincent HRD Rapide 998cc sold for $58,500, while a 'Norvin' HRD 998cc hybrid with a Norton Featherbed frame, also from C1949, went for $48,000. From the same collection, a circa-1952 Vincent Comet Series C 500cc single sold for $37,000.

Other Brits included a 1977 'Silver Jubilee' Triumph T140V Bonneville, which went for $13,000, while a '69 Norton Commando 750 S was passed in.

Additional motorcycle lots of interest from this auction included a restored Marusho Lilac 250. Offered at no reserve, this rare Japanese classic sold for $7,000. Also offered at no reserve, a tidy little C1961 Mondial 125cc sports single sold for $6,000, while a restored C1960 305cc Honda C77 Dream went for $9,000.

Overall, this auction was a great success, with an 81-percent clearance rate and total sales of $1.7 million. The Sydney auction also saw the best result to date for Shannons online bidding option launched earlier this year, with more than 200 online bidders registered.

For full results and further details, go to www.shannons.com.au.