Rare Bikes and Plates Under the Hammer

MELBOURNE – Nov 14, 2011: Rare motorcycles and low-digit black and white number plates could outshine many of the classic cars at Shannons Melbourne Summer Auction next Monday, November 21.

Four of the 11 motorcycles in the auction are being sold with no reserve and five are sought-after Harley-Davidsons.

These range from a Veteran 1917 1000cc Solo in complete but ‘project’ condition (guiding range $7,000-$10,000), to a superb one owner 2002 FLSTCI Heritage Softail that has travelled just 3,580km from new on sunny weekends ($15,000-$18,000).

Another standout Harley in the auction of great interest to collectors is a 1928 Harley-Davidson J Model 1000cc with Sidecar outfit that has been in the current owner’s hands for the past 30 years.

The sidecar, which is in largely original condition and still displays some of its original paint, is believed to have been attached to the bike for most of its life, while the bike is fitted with front and rear lights, an electric horn, an original electric switch box and a rare 100Mph Stewart Warner Police speedometer with twin needles.

In recent years, the Harley has seen little use, but starts and runs and – with a little work – could be brought back to road use as a rally or club bike. It is expected to sell in the $14,000-$18,000 range.

Another very special motorcycle in Monday’s sale is a 1988 factory-verified Ducati 851 ‘Tricolour’ that has been converted to 888cc and has covered only around 3,949km from new.

Geoff Whitaker of Ducati Sydney originally imported the three-owner bike and to the vendor’s knowledge has never been raced. It is expected to sell in the $28,000-$34,000 range.

Shannons also have 12 very desirable three, four and five digit black and white Victorian Heritage number plates in Monday’s auction.

Standouts amongst the three-digit plates, which start at ‘317’ are the ‘Chevrolet Big Block’ plate ‘396’ and the ‘Boeing’ plate ‘787’ – ideal for frequent low-flyers!

The four-digit plates include ‘9.991’ – ideal for intending owners of Porsche’s new Type 991 Porsche 911 Carrera – while interesting numeric combinations for five-digit plate buyers are ‘11.222’, ’33.444’ and ’98.889’.

The three-digit plates are expected to sell in the $45,000-$75,000 range, four-digit plates should bring $15,000-$20,000 and five-digit $10,000-$16,000.