LEGEND OF BRITISH MOTORCYCLING

BARRY SHEENE’S MEMORABILIA COLLECTION TO BE OFFERED AT BONHAMS SALE

As part of the 19th October Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Bonhams is to offer a selection of racewear, trophies and awards from the Barry Sheene Collection.

Barry Sheene MBE was the iconic British pin-up of motorcycling throughout the 1970s, famed for his fearless speed chasing, World 500cc Championship wins, and on more than one occasion, cheating death after surviving several brutal racing accidents.

Sheene’s racing career almost came to a catastrophic end when at the 1975 Daytona 200 he crashed at 175mph. Despite his injuries he went on to make a full recovery, racing again a mere few weeks later. In 1978 Sheene was awarded an MBE, where the Queen is said to have told him at his investiture: “Now you be careful, young man.”

Sheene began racing motorcycles at the age of five and remains the last British racer to win a 500cc GP in 1981. Alongside characters like James Hunt, Sheene put the motor racing world in the headlines with his glamorous lifestyle, brave high speed racing skills, and inspired millions throughout his career which spanned from 1968 to 1984.

Ben Walker, Bonhams Head of Motorcycles, said: “Barry Sheene was an icon of motorcycle racing, with a legend that continues today. We’re delighted to be able to offer this collection as part of our Stafford Sale – we expect many of his fans who witnessed his rise to fame would take great pride in owning a piece of his motor racing history.”

The Barry Sheene Collection offered at Bonhams sale includes a race-worn Arai Helmet and Dainese leathers from Sheene’s Classic and Historic race meetings, trophies and awards from British and European races including some Grand Prix and International race events from Sheene’s Championship-winning years, and a selection of other motorcycle and motorsport racewear and memorabilia.

More, from another press release issued by Bonhams:

BONHAMS OFFERS THE BEST OF MOTORCYCLES

VINTAGE AND MODERN AT AUTUMN STAFFORD SALE

An incredible selection of Pioneer, Vintage, Classic, Modern and Racing motorcycles are set to headline Bonhams annual Autumn Stafford Sale at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, held on 19th October 2014.

Ben Walker, International Director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, said: “With almost 300 lots including over 180 motorcycles, this year’s Stafford sale will offer something for every enthusiast. We’ve an incredible selection of Italian, Japanese, British and American motorcycles, including pioneering pre-war machines, a wide range of vintage, and a selection of custom motorcycles appealing to the new generation of rider and collector.”

The Mole Benn Collection

The rare collection belonging to the late Maurice ‘Mole’ Benn includes several rare MV Agusta overhead-camshaft racing machines. Mole Benn was one of the first enthusiasts to tune and race BSA’s humble Bantam commuter bike in the 1950s, and is credited with lapping the Isle of Man TT course at over 70mph on one of his machines.

Mole had a great passion for the MV Agusta marque. Seven of his personal MVs are to be featured in the Bonhams sale, the highlight of this selection being the ex-works 1954 125cc Bialbero (twin-cam) racer (£55,000-75,000).

In addition, there are two 125cc (single-cam) racers from the early 1950s (£40,000-50,000 each), a 1954 175cc Super Sport Competizione production racer (£12,000-16,000), a circa 1955 175cc Modello Sport racer (£3,000-5,000), a circa 1957 125cc Super Pullman (£1,500-2,000), and a 1953 125cc TEL (£1,000-1,500). The remaining machines include a 1913 NSU 6/7hp v-twin restoration project (£6,000-10,000), a 1986 Suzuki RG500 project (£3,500-4,500), and a 1951 Moto Guzzi 250cc Airone (£3,000-4,000).

Japanese

A private collection of 1970s and 80s motorcycles including several turbocharged examples is to be offered. Heading the collection, the stunning 1975 Dresda-Honda (£8,000-12,000) that was offered as the prize in a Motor Cycle News ‘spot the ball’ competition in 1975 and, in more recent years, has won the ‘Best Chopper/Custom Bike’ award at the Ace Café ’70s Day.

Whilst few machines can equal the Dresda’s technicolor paint scheme others surpass in terms of performance. The 1980’s war on sales took on a new dimension with the introduction of performance-boosting turbochargers. Honda took the lead with their 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo (£2,000-3,000) and shortly after, Suzuki’s 1983 XN85 Turbo (£3,000-4,000). By far the most successful of such machines was Kawasaki’s 1985 GPz750 Turbo (£5,500-6,500).

Pioneer & Vintage

For the enthusiast keen to experience the golden era of vintage motorcycling first hand, few machines encapsulate the period better than Triumph’s trusty steed the 1922 Triumph 550cc Model H (£6,000-7,000).

Once marketed as ‘The most powerful motorcycle in the world’, the 1914 Flying Merkel 998cc V-Twin (£50,000-70,000) is an exceptional and truly rare Pioneer machine, expected to ignite the interest of any collector.

Elsewhere, the 1928 Model ‘A’ Ariel (£3,000-3,500) is guaranteed to leapfrog the successful buyer into a Vintage riding career with the added bonus of a complimentary entry onto the Vintage Motorcycle Club’s (VMCC) 2015 Banbury Run and a year’s free membership to the world’s largest vintage motorcycle club.

Other highlights include the 1909 Premier 600cc V-Twin (£18,000-22,000); 1924 Norton 490cc 16H (£12,000-15,000); 1927 BSA 986cc Model G27 Deluxe (£7,000-10,00); 1926 AJS 349cc Big Port (£8,000-10,000) and 1930 Velocette 349cc KSS Special (£6,000-8,000).

Racing Motorcycles

Bonhams’ very own motorcycle extraordinaire Colin Seeley is synonymous with motorcycle frame design. So much so, his frames have been the focus of many builders to follow. Seeley sold the Manx Norton side of the AMC business to former fellow sidecar competitor John Tickle in 1969. Tickle was already supplying bolt-on accessories to the café racer movement, and for 1971 introduced an extensively redesigned and upgraded Manx frame. The c.1971 Tickle Manx 40M 348cc Racing Motorcycle (£18,000-25,000) is one of the rarer classic racers and is a potentially competitive mount in the right hands.

Another capable machine is the 1994 Seeley G50 500cc Mk3 Racing Motorcycle (£12,000-16,000), built by Roger Titchmarsh, entrusted to continue Seeley frame production with equally exacting standards.

New Generation

Whether a professional builder or a back shed enthusiast, these bikes embody the spirit and charisma of the old school whilst bringing a new and exciting twist to café racer/custom design.

Bonhams presents a collection of bikes that is becoming synonymous with the new generation of collectors including the 1999 Kawasaki 676cc W650 Custom by Deus Ex Machina (£12,000 – £15,000). Having previously been displayed at the Bike Shed M.C.C., the Kawasaki is likely to excite the avant-garde keen to own a piece of the famed Deus institute.

Elsewhere, the stripped to the bones 1985 BMW 1,000cc R80RT Café Racer (£5,000 – £7,000), with its vivid red paint work and minimalist aesthetics, proves less can be more.

The 1978 Seeley-Honda 750cc F1 Sport (£8,000 – £12,000) in the sale is more than capable of holding its own alongside these modern-day creations. Built by celebrated racer, designer and engineer Colin Seeley, the F1 Sport’s style is mirrored by today’s new breed of ‘café’ demonstrating the superiority of the Seeley product over 30 years on.