If you’ve ever wanted to buy a classic bike at auction, it might be time to have a go as there are some potential bargains offered at no reserve in a Sydney auction next month.
There are 14 motorcycles available at the annual Shannons Autumn Classic Auction & Rare Number Plates in Sydney on March 4 2019.
The motorcycles span 86 years. The oldest is a rare 1911 Abingdon ‘King Dick’ 500cc solo and the most recent is a limited-edition 1997 Ducati 916 ‘Senna’, number 13 of just 300 built.
Vincent highlight
However, the most expensive is expected to be a 1953 Vincent Black Shadow.
The numbers-correct bike from a deceased estate could fetch up to $150,000.
It was first registered in the UK in 1953 to Colonel AD McKechnie of Aberdeen.
The Vincent was shipped to Australia in 1965 and was bought by the current owner in 1972 who comprehensively restored it.
The owner was a long-standing member of the Vincent owners club and also a founding member of the Ulysses Club.
Accompanying the bike is a history file documenting UK owners (Roads Act ,1920 Registration book), shipping documents and a receipt file.
The Vincent is in running condition and has been started.
No reserve bikes
The best deals of the show are probably the “no reserve” bikes.
That means the bikes will be sold regardless of price and it includes the 1911 Abingdon ‘King Dick’ 500cc estimated to fetch $24,000 – $28,000)
Here are the other no-reserve bikes with estimated prices in brackets:
- 1925 Triumph Model P 500cc Project ($4000 – $5000)
1925 Triumph Model P - 1926 AJS Model G 350cc ($5000 – $7000)
1926 AJS - 1930 Triumph Model CTT 500cc ($12,000 – $14,000)
1930 Triumph - c1959 ABG Velovap Bicyclette Automatique ($600 – $800)
1959 ABG - 1981 Honda CBX 1000 Super Sport ($8000 – $10,000)
Honda CBX - 1971 Honda CB750 K1 ($15,000 – $20,000)
CB750 - 1965 Triumph Thunderbird 650cc ($10,000 – $12,000)
1965 Thunderbird - 1969 BSA 650 Lightning ($10,000 – $12,000)
BSA - 1973 Triumph 750 Tiger TR7RV ($10,000 – $12,000)
Tiger - 1974 Norton 850 Commando Interstate $14,000 – $16,000
Norton
Reserve bikes
There are only four bikes being auctioned with a reserve.
That means the bikes will not be sold if the final bid is not high enough to satisfy the seller.
- 1973 BMW R90S 900cc ($9000 – $12,000)
BMW R90S - 1970 Ducati 450 Mk3 Scrambler ($10,000 – $12,000)
Ducati Scrambler - 1997 Ducati 916 ‘Senna’ Solo No: 13/300 ($24,000 – $28,000)
Ducati Senna - 1953 Vincent Series C Black Shadow 1000cc ($120,000 – $150,000)
Vincent
How to buy
You can attend the auction in person, bid online or over the phone.
The best advice we can offer for auction beginners is to go to an auction or two with no plans to buy, only to watch and learn. Even for those who have bought at auction before, there are always things you can learn.
Check out our top 10 tips for buying at auction.
Click here to view all Shannons March 4 Sydney Autumn Auction lots.
The auction also includes many cars and 30 collectible black and white New South Wales Heritage plates.
The ‘271’ plate is expected to top the plate auction at up to $110,000.