Some folks just put em up in the shop and plug a batter tender into the. But some folks have other ideas…
And yes there’s a video! Now that sounds great!
superbike
An outstanding “modernized” Yamaha FJ1200.
I stumbled across this bike on a two stroke message board of all places. It’s one of my all time favorite bikes done up with some very tasty modern suspension upgrades. Thanks very much to Tim (AKA: axiom-r) for all the great pics and for permission to post these. If you’re interested in the build thread along with more cool pics, go check out the FJ owners message board. Great Stuff!
Another excellent Bonhams Bike! Moby Dick – The Fastest Motorcycle of the 1920’s
Thanks once again to Katherine Boyle for the excellent high resolution photo of another fantastic bike!
MOBY DICK – THE FASTEST MOTORCYCLE OF THE 1920s – TO SELL AT BONHAMS
Bonhams are returning to the International Motorcycle Show in Staffordshire on 16th October 2011 with another exceptional line-up of motorcycles. The star of the auction is the 1929 Brough Superior SS100 known as Moby Dick, the fastest motorcycle of the 1920s, which has attracted a pre-sale estimate of £240,000 – £280,000.
Hailed in its day as ‘the fastest privately owned machine in the world suitable for road use’, this motorcycle is expected to prove very popular with bidders. Tested by Motor Cycling magazine in 1931, ‘Moby Dick’ achieved a top speed of 106mph, a staggering achievement at a time when very few road vehicles of any sort were capable of reaching three-figure speeds. Further tuning of the modified 1,142cc v-twin engine later raised that figure to 115mph in top (third) gear, with 109mph achievable in second. Sold but later repurchased by the vendor’s family, Moby Dick was restored in 1998 and since then has continued to delight and amaze enthusiasts wherever it appears.
A 1924 Brough Superior 980cc SS80 represents a rare opportunity to purchase one of the earliest surviving SS80s. It was the first of the Brough Superior range to feature the cradle frame derived from Bert le Vack’s Brooklands racer and also an early machine to feature a twist grip throttle and dynamo lighting as standard. It is also fitted with the desirable Bonnkisen 100 mph speedometer and it is expected to attract much interest. It is estimated to sell for £75,000-95,000. Another prominent Brough Superior on offer is the 1933 ‘11-50’ that took the ‘best original in show’ award at the BSOC Rally in 2004 (£32,000-38,000).
In pre-war days the Maudes Trophy was highly prized by British motorcycle manufacturers. Ridden by Phil Pike, the 1926 Norton 588cc combination in the sale secured this most prestigious award that same year, making it four wins on the trot for the Birmingham-based company (£28,000-32,000).
Barn-find offerings include a 1955 BSA DB34 Gold Star (£3,000-4,000), 1956 Ariel 998cc Square Four (£3,000-4,000), 1959 Velocette 499cc Venom (£1,500-2,500) and a 1960 Triumph 649cc T110 (£1,000-1,500).
Ben Walker, Head of Motorcycles at Bonhams, comments, “The second Bonhams Stafford sale of 2011 will offer one of our most eclectic selection of significant collectors’ motorcycles ever, with everything from one of the earliest Brough Superior SS80s to a concours condition Kawasaki Z1, and aims to build on the incredible success of our April auction and its £2 million result. With in excess of 200 machines we aim to have something for everyone.”
For sale enquiries please contact Ben Walker on 08700 273616 or ben.walker@bonhams.com
For further press information please contact Katherine Boyle on 0207 468 8363 or Katherine.boyle@bonhams.com / press@bonhams.com
Reader Ride. Georgous KZ900.
Brian Mannon hooked me up to a few of his libraries so look for a lot of great shots of his personal bikes as well as his visit to Ohio vintage days!
Great stuff Brian! Thanks Much!
The Last Brough Superior Ever Produced.
Thanks to Katherine and the folks at Bonhams for this outstanding high quality photo (I’m posting it in full resolution) of the Last Brough Superior ever produced which will be coming up for auction shortly. If I was a man of sufficient means I do believe that I would buy this bike. Just Stupendous.
THE LAST BROUGH SUPERIOR SS100 PRODUCED TO SELL AT BONHAMS QUAIL LODGE AUCTION
OTHER IMPRESSIVE MOTORCYCLES ALSO JOIN THE LINE-UP FOR SALE
Following the ultra-rare 1954 AJS E95 “Porcupine” factory racer to Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in California on 18 August, is another very rare and desirable motorcycle – the very last Brough Superior SS100 to roll off the production line has now been consigned to the sale.
Considered one of the greatest motorcycles ever made, and famous for consistently being the most coveted and valuable sold at auction, the SS100 was the flagship model of the bespoke English Brough Superior brand. This exclusive 1940 example – the last to come with full factory records – is a gem of historical significance as it represents the final chapter of one of the world’s most legendary machines. It carries an estimate of $350,000-$400,000.
A pair of British Coventry-Eagle Flying-8 motorcycles, a 1925 SV and a 1928 OHV, has been consigned from a collection in England. Both uncommon and highly sought-after, the Flying-8 model was regarded as one of the most attractive –and most expensive– motorcycles of its time. The latter machine, one of very few known to exist, was considered a superbike of the 1920s and was a worthy rival of Brough Superior and a formidable Brooklands racer. Rarely seen on the open market, these elegant, hand-built speed machines are estimated at $100,000 and $250,000, respectively.
Yet another legendary British motorcycle marque, Vincent, will be represented by the utterly unique Black Prince model. Described by its creator Phil Vincent as a “two-wheeled Bentley,” this enclosed motorcycle was truly ahead of its time and a real performance machine, even if opinion of its avant-garde styling was mixed. The 1955 Vincent Black Prince carries an estimate of $120,000-$140,000.
Additionally, a highly desirable American 1928 Henderson Deluxe Four, originally sold to South Africa, will be on offer with an estimate of $60,000-$70,000.
These and other exceptional motorcycles and motorcars will be auctioned at Bonhams’ 14th annual sale at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, on Thursday and Friday, August 18-19. As this is the first time a dedicated live auction of motorcycles will be held during the 60+ years of the famed Pebble Beach Car Week, the opportunities for sellers are unprecedented. Owners interested in consigning highly unique motorcycles to this anticipated event may call 415-391-4000 or e-mail one of the following Bonhams motorcycle specialists:
Ben Walker, International Director of Motorcycles, London: ben.walker@bonhams.com
Nick Smith, US Director of Motorcycles, Los Angeles: nick.smith@bonhams.com
David Edwards, Motorcycle Specialist: david.edwards@bonhams.com
Looong before here was a Triumph Speed Triple there was the Speed Twin
And in it’s day it actually carried a similar reputation to today’s bike.
Kawasaki Z1R
Beautiful Suzuki GS1000E
Stunning Six into one!
Like I said, sometimes the best bikes at the shows are in the parking lot..
Motorcycle Photo Of The Day 