Steve McQueen, James May bikes for sale

Motorcycles owned by Hollywood legend Steve McQueen and former Top Gear presenter James May will go up for auction in October.

McQueen’s 1934 Indian 750cc Sport Scout is expected to fetch £55,000-65,000 ($A118,000-140,000) at the Bonhams Stafford Sale on October 17-18.

The King of Cool’s Indian will be auctioned alongside four trusty Hondas belonging to “Captain Slow” James May and 230 other motorcycles.

McQueen had a large collection of motorcycles, including many Indians, which have found their way into various auctions around the world, fetching big prices.

Earlier this year, a 1915 Cyclone board tracker motorcycle owned by Steve McQueen sold for a few dollars short of $1 million at a Mecum Auction in Las Vegas.

McQueen was also a keen motorcycle racer and represented America in the International Six-Day Trials in 1964. “I’m not sure whether I’m an actor who races or a racer who acts,” he once said.

James Stensel, Head of Collectors’ Motorcycles at Bonhams said: “McQueen’s cars and motorcycles were the envy of many a collector, yet Indian was believed to be his favoured marque.”

Meanwhile, James May, a regular figure at Bonhams Stafford auctions, will offer his personal 1967 Honda CB450 ‘Black Bomber’, estimate £4,800-5,600 ($A10,300-12,000), a 1973 Honda XL70 Trail, estimate £2,000-2,500 ($A4300-5400), a 1970 Honda PS50 Sports Moped, estimate £1,800-2,400 ($A3900-5200), and a 1967 Honda P50 Moped, estimate £400-600 ($A860-1300).

Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale takes place at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Staffordshire County Showground. The Lonati Collection will be sold on Saturday 17, from 3pm, and the Autumn Stafford Sale on Sunday 18 from noon. (See stories below)