Twelve rare motorcycles from Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan are going under the hammer at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Classic Auction on February 17, four with no reserve price.
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1975 Ducati 860GTBike collectors and nostalgia freaks should be able to snap up a couple of bargains. However, the highlight of the show is a 1974 MV Agusta 750 Sport expected to sell for up to $70,000. This four-cylinder model has only 39,917km on the odometer and comes with a full fairing painted in traditional red and silver, twin front disc brakes with Brembo calipers, Tommaselli clip-ons and rides on 18” Borrani alloy rims. The Italians really will steal the show with my personal favourite, a rare 1975 Ducati 860GT that is expected to go for as little as $9000.
From Germany there is a partially restored 1939 BMW R12 with a rare, matching Stoyer sidecar combination. The single carburettor R12 was imported from the United States and has 27,426 on the odometer. It is expected to bring $18,000-$22,000.
Not to be outdone by the Italians and Germans, British pride will be restored by a very rare circa 1950 Scott Flying Squirrel, a brace of Douglas solos and a desirable Triumph Bonneville. They are expected to sell between $9000 and $12,000.
1970 Yamaha HT1 90cc Trail BikeIf it’s a nice cheap rest bargain you are after, how about a circa 1950 BSA Auto Cycle in unrestored condition expected to fetch $1000-$1500. The early Japanese bikes also offer good value. There’s a lovingly-restored 1966 Suzuki T10 250cc ($8000-$11,000), a 1974 Honda CT70 Mini Trail Bike in original condition ($2000-$3000) and a 1970 Yamaha HT1 90cc Trail Bike ($3000-$5000), the latter two offered with no reserve. But my pick for affordable and that cute nostalgic factor is the 1977 Yamaha TT500 Trail Bike ($4000-$7000). Time to raid the piggy bank!