Get 'On Your Bike' At Shannons Winter Auction

MELBOURNE – May 20, 2011: Classic motorcycle enthusiasts are spoiled for choice at Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction on May 23, with 14 predominantly British machines on offer from a large private collection.

Pride of place amongst the five BSAs in the auction goes to a genuine 1956 B32 Goldstar 350cc in very good original and rideable condition that is expected to sell in the $22,000-$28,000 price range.

The numbers-verified machine comes from a large collection and has been used semi-regularly since its importation to the country around 20 years ago.

Other BSAs in Monday’s auction include a 1971 B50 SS Goldstar 500 in good original condition ($8,000-$12,000), a striking red and black 1967 version of the British maker’s sought-after Spitfire ‘road racer’ ($8,000-$11,000), a 1950 B33 ‘Special’ 500cc that has undergone some mild customisation to give it a more ‘60s’ style ($7,000-$10,000) and a 1953 B31 plunger-framed 350cc in original condition ($6,000-$9,000).

British bike enthusiasts will also be tempted by the unique Norvin 500 custom that incorporates the best of two great bikes of the 1950s – the 500cc Vincent Single coupled to a Norton gearbox in a Norton Featherbed frame.

Shannons expect this beautifully-presented ‘café racer’ to sell in the $22,000-$28,000 range.

The three Triumphs in the auction include a restored and currently registered 1967 TR6 Trophy 650 ($14,000-$17,000), a very original 1972 T150 Trident 750 with stunning purple and white paintwork ($12,000-$15,000) and a 1955 Thunderbird 650 with striking period metallic blue paintwork that was the subject of an older restoration.

Other ‘Great Britons’ in Monday’s auction include a nicely original 1954 Velocette MSS500 that is believed to have covered just 91,881 miles from new ($9,000-$12,000) and a Royal Enfield 500 presented in good condition ($5,000-$8,000).

Italian motorcycle enthusiasts looking for something different will be drawn to the rare 1964 Gilera ‘Sei Giori’ (Six Day) Speciale with matching numbers.

According to the vendor, this 124cc racer is as close as you can get to a factory bike and is presented in completely restored and excellent running condition and will be offered with no reserve. Shannons expect bids in the $5,000-$8,000 range for this ‘as new’ classic.

Also offered with no reserve in Monday’s auction is an early 1972 example of Honda’s sought-after CB750/4 K2 with just 39,301km – believed genuine – on its odometer ($5,000-$8,000), while a nicely presented and fully rideable 1975 Czech Jawa 634 350cc two-stroke is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000.

All bikes plus the 34 vehicle and the 24 memorabilia lots and number plates in Monday’s auction are available for inspection combined with a sausage sizzle this weekend at Shannons, 321 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham from 9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. Monday’s auction starts at 7pm.