Rare 'no-reserve' Harleys showcased at Shannons MotorEx sale
If names such as ‘Model 5-35’, ‘Shortster’, ‘JDH Twin Cam’, ‘XA’, ‘Sloper’, ‘Peashooter’, ‘Topper, ‘Baby Chicago Harley’ and ‘Board Tracker’ mean anything to you, you need to get your hard-tail to Meguiar’s MotorEx.
Part of a significant collection of classic motorcycles – principally Harley-Davidsons – will be going under the hammer with no reserve at Shannons Sydney Custom & Collectable Auction at on Sunday, July 21.
Others from this major collection of more than 40 motorcycles, including many desirable and rare models, will be offered for sale by Shannons at future auctions, representing a rare opportunity for serious and astute collectors.
None of the bikes has been run for approximately 10 years, so each will need some form of recommissioning.
The Harley collection was assembled over a period of about 40 years by a keen Sydney collector, who travelled to many parts of the world to visit motorcycle museums, private Harley-Davidson collections and to meet enthusiasts to seek out rare machines to purchase for the collection. His aim was to have a Harley of each kind and type from the earliest models, up to and including, ‘Shovelheads’.
Standout examples of the nine Harleys in the Shannons MotorEx Auction include a stylish circa 1929 F Model 1000cc solo that was purchased by vendor in 1986. Significantly, this was the last year for the magneto model Harleys and while the bike presents well as the result of an older restoration and the engine turns over freely, it has not been started and will require some recommissioning before use.
Because of its importance as the last twin magneto Harley, Shannons expect it to sell in the $16,000-$19,000 range.
Another important Harley going under the hammer at MotorEx is a circa 1927 27B 350cc ‘Peashooter’ that has seen very little use since its restoration many years ago.
As these early OHV(overhead valve) Harleys are rarer than their SV(side valve) brothers, they are now highly sought after by collectors throughout the world, with Shannons expecting the bike to bring $14,000-$18,000.
Not badged a ‘Harley’, but built in Italy after Harley-Davidson took a 50 per cent stake in the company in the early 1960s, is a very stylish circa 1967 Aermacchi Ala Verde 250cc 'Café Racer' in amazingly complete and original condition. This stylish machine is showing just 1,828 miles on its speedometer and has retained all its original parts, including matching frame and engine numbers and is expected to sell with no reserve in the $6,000-$9,000 range.
Also a Harley-Davidson, but a very different one, is the now rare circa 1963 ‘Topper’ – the only scooter the company ever produced.
Powered by a 165 cc (10.1 cu in) single-cylinder two-stroke engine mounted horizontally between the floorboard and running through a CVT automatic transmission, the Topper was introduced in 1961 and sold through to 1965 before being discontinued.
The example being auctioned was restored before being added to the vendor’s collection in 1986, but has not been started since coming out of long-term storage. Because of its unique status as Harley-Davidson’s only scooter, Shannons expect it to sell for its collectable and curiosity value for $5,000-$8,000.
The Harleys account for nine of the 11 motorcycles in Shannons MotorEx Auction.
Also offered with no reserve is a circa 1986 Autocycle - Motobecane 3800 Velosolex 49cc Autocycle in good, original running condition that is expected to sell in the $2,500-$3,500 range.
Finally, there is a South African-delivered 1967 BMW R50 that is being sold with invoices showing totalling more than $8,500 for work carried out including a full engine rebuild, stainless steel wheel rims, new tyres, saddle and silencers. It is expected to bring $8,000-$12,000.
