Strong results in ‘Harley Collection’ auction

Response to the ‘Harley Collection’ auction conducted by Manshed Auctions on 28-29 June exceeded expectations, with a 100 per cent clearance rate and some outstanding prices achieved by not just the complete motorcycles in the auction, but also the classic Harley engines, frames and other rare parts.

The collection, acquired over decades by the sole vendor, was made up almost entirely of pre-Shovelhead bikes and parts. There were a handful of newer Harley spares on offer, plus some J.A.P. parts for speedway bikes and a pair of Australian-made Howard v-twin engines.

Big ticket items included a 1947 EL Knucklehead that had been imported to Australia some years back and restored here, but had spent 30+ years on display in the USA. Expected to be the top-selling bike in the auction, the ’47 Knucklehead didn’t disappoint, hammering for $63,000. Next best was a 1934 VFD, which was said to be of the few examples of the model to be sold as a solo instead of a sidecar outfit. It made $35,500.

A mechanically refurbished, but wonderfully patinated 1927 J Model made $28,500, with a rare 1942 WLC (Canadian military version of the WLA) selling for $20,000. A civilianised WLA with a long and interesting Australian history sold for $17,500, which like all the other bikes in the auction, exceeded its reserve (prices exclude buyer’s premium).

Amongst the Harley parts on offer, noteworthy results included $27,500 for a rebuilt ’47 EL Knucklehead engine that was offered complete with a Linkert carburettor and OEM timing cover. Given there was no reserve, this was a very impressive price. A compatible ’47 frame sold for $15,500, a transmission for $12,000 and fuel tanks for $7,750. Add in the tinware, wheels and other parts available in this auction and there was just about enough to build a C1947 Knuckle from scratch!

Other notable results included $11,500 for a 1953 FL Panhead engine, while a slightly older example made $9,000. A 1951 Panhead frame hammered for $6,750, with a rare 1929 Model C 30ci (500cc) single engine selling for the same amount. A Shovelhead engine sold for $6,000, a 1929 J Model 61ci v-twin for $4,700 and a 1956 G Series 45ci engine, ready for fitment to a classic Servi-Car, sold for $4,500. These were also offered with no reserve (all prices exclude buyer’s premium).

Most of the engines on offer sold for over $1,000, with similar prices achieved for the rarer frames, front ends and transmissions in the collection. Some toolboxes, carb assemblies, lights, gauges and other obscure items sold in the thousands, too, which reflected the rarity and desirability of many of the parts in the collection.

Of the non-Harley items, top seller was one of the Howard v-twins, which sold for $950. Total sales from this auction comfortably exceeded $500,000.

Manshed Auctions say the vendor was extremely satisfied with the results, while buyers provided very positive feedback, too. To see the full list of consignments and sale prices, click HERE.

The next big Manshed Auctions event will be at the Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend this coming 23 August. As the criteria for Bulli is motorcycles 35 years old and older, all offerings in the auction will be pre-1990, too. The catalogue was still being compiled at time of writing, but some of the confirmed consignments include a civilianised 1942 WLA outfit, a 1918 Excelsior, 1962 BSA Golden Flash, 1964 and 1965 Harley-Davidson Panheads, a 1967 FLH Police Special, 1953 Norton Dominator, 1969 Triumph T150 Trident, an immaculate 1973 Honda CB750 and a pair of Honda CL scramblers from the 1970s.

Vying to be the rarest bike in this auction are a 1914 ASD and a C1933 Rikuo. The ASD is an Australian-made veteran motorcycle, combining a Precision 1,000cc v-twin with Saxon forks and a (presumably) locally-produced frame and tinware. The Rikuo is a Japanese licence-built copy of Harley-Davidson’s VL flathead v-twin from 1930, complete with hand-shift and foot clutch. Aside from repainted tank and guards, the bike is said to be original.

Pre-bidding on these and all other lots is open now, ahead of the live auction on Saturday, 23 August. For more details, click HERE.