Finding a ~20-year-old motorcycle with zero (or two) miles on the clock should be near impossible for many. Especially if you want a special edition Ducati with as few miles as possible. With two miles I can almost guarantee this motorcycle has never hit a public road in its entire life. Those miles are probably from pushing it by hand from point a-to-b in its 18-year life.
This extremely low mileage Ducati Monster S4 is a special edition tribute from the factory for World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty and has only seen two total owners in its life. Carl Fogarty is one of the most successful World Superbike racers of all time, with the second-highest number of race wins (59) and four total world championship winnings. That means this motorcycle is not old rare, but special as well.
This Monster S4 features a powerful 916cc L-twin Ducati engine (producing 110 horsepower) married to a six-speed standard transmission. Due to it being a special edition, the bike is decorated with carbon fiber body parts, Brembo brakes all-around, Marchesini wheels, and a special custom suspension allowing for an extra 20mm of height on the bike due to the 43mm Showa front fork and dual-sided swingarm.
The bike has a custom livery by Aldo Drudi with Foggarty’s nickname, “Foggy”, adorned to the bike in scripts. The paint job also features Foggy’s signature eye logo on the fuel tank.
The bike has been kept in perfect condition, comes with a fluid flush, new battery, red bike cover, spare keys, and a clean Pennsylvania title in the seller’s name.
The bike is sitting with a current bid of $4200 with 7 days remaining on the bringatrailer.com auction. This will probably be one of your only chances to own a 2-mile special edition Ducati Monster, so if this is something right up your alley I’d hop on it before someone else does. Opportunities like this don’t come by often.
What’s cooler than a classic motorcycle modified in modern times to accommodate a race-oriented look and style? The same thing, but with the modifications actually being done during the period of the initial sale.
This bike was modified way back in the ’70s when it was new and was fully restored in 2001 by its current owner after buying it from a collection in 1991.
The engine is a 750cc parallel-twin that was taken from a ’69 TR6R and married to a five-speed gearbox. What makes this a racebike? The Trackmaster frame, racing fairings, and all the performance add-ons a 1970’s racer could dream of.
The engine has been modified with Mikuni carburetors, a full racing exhaust system, an alloy fuel tank for added weight reduction, clip-on handlebars and rear sets, original Grimeca triple-disc brakes, and a Ceriani fork with Works shock to top it all off.
You won’t be able to ride this motorcycle on public roadways in its current shape, as its been fully kitted for the racetrack and features a headlight, signal, and taillight delete to keep it track-spec.
The total mileage is unknown, but the bike comes with an Oregon bill of sale and I would assume it has a clean title otherwise it would be specified in the bringatrailer.com ad.
This may be one of the most beautiful period-correct replica racebikes I have ever seen, and it could be yours if you act fast and win the auction found on bringatrailer.com. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that this motorcycle will fetch quite a pretty penny, as bids currently sit at $7000 USD with 4 days remaining on the auction as I type this article.
There aren’t a whole lot of petrol-powered vehicles that can withstand a 107-year journey and still live to tell the tale. This 1913 Rex-JAP Brampton Special sure did. In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you could own this hyper-rare motorcycle and bring it home to take care of so it can hopefully see another 50-100 years in its lifetime.
Rex-JAP produced motorcycles for a very short window of time between 1912 to 1916 by the Rex firm. They specialized in building V-twin JAP engines into their preexisting Rex-Acme motorcycles.
This Rex-JAP is speculated to have lived a second life as a modified race bike featuring a 680cc V-Trin JAP engine married to a three-speed hub. Riding wasn’t anything like it is today, so if you could imagine pumping your oil by hand with – quite literally – a hand-operated oil pump, this is it.
This motorcycle is finished in dark forest green with gold pinstriping on the tank. Apparently, the tank, the rear stand, and a handful of other small parts were refinished and repainted by the current seller after being acquired in 2012.
The motorcycle comes with all receipts for refinishing and paintwork, signage, and a California bill of sale. Although there are only 2 hours left in the auction of this motorcycle on bringatrailer.com, I thought it was still an important piece of forgotten history worth sharing with our readers.
In the event, you are indeed interested in picking this time-capsule up, there are just over two hours left on the auction as I write this, and current bids are sitting at $9200 USD.
A limited-edition 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR Eight is a highlight of eight Ducatis spanning 37 years in the Shannons Spring Timed Online Auction from 11-18 November 2020. They are part of a collection of 37 classic and collectible motorcycles and scooters in the Australian auction which has a total of 176 lots on offer. The 200hp RR is a road-going replica of the MotoGP machine ridden to victory by Australia’s Casey Stoner in 2007. It is powered by a liquid-cooled, D16 989cc V-four engine, with a 13,800rpm redline and 300km/h plus top speed and six-speed gearbox. It is number 606 of the limited edition of 1500 units built worldwide, with the first reportedly going to Hollywood actor and motorcycle fan Tom Cruise. Only 120 were allocated to Australian customers at more than $100,000 each. Yet Shannons expects it will fetch a “bargain” price of $65,000-$75,000. Another highlight of the eight Ducatis on offer is a 1997 Ducati 916 Senna II which has just 11km on the odometer and is number 92 of 300 built. The model was released to commemorate Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna, an avid Ducati enthusiast and owner who endorsed its release shortly before his death in May 1994. Ducati released three Senna editions in 1995, 1998 and 2001. Net proceeds of their sale were donated to the Instituto Ayrton Senna charity. It is expected to sell in the $45,000-$55,000 range. Another collectible Ducati in the online auction is a 1986 Ducati Mike Hailwood 1000cc replica ‘Mille’, from the final year of production, regarded as one of the most collectible of these limited-edition bikes. Introduced to celebrate the accomplishments of legendary motorcycle and F1 car race ace Mike Hailwood, the V-Twin 973cc MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica) arrived in 1984 as a replacement for the already potent 900 MHR. The bike being auctioned is in original condition except for factory-optioned Conti mufflers. Only 1100 Mille models were made in 1986, the final year of production. Shannons expects it to sell for $30,000-$38,000. A Classic ‘Round Case’ 1974 Ducati 750 Sport Classic is expected to fetch a similar price. Finished in the marque’s iconic yellow, the Ducati features Dellorto PHF32A carburettors, a steel fuel tank, Conti pipes, Borrani wheels and Brembo front brakes. Last registered many years ago and stored for some time, the bike starts and runs well, but requires minor recommissioning. There is also a 1973 classic bevel-drive Ducati 750 GT in original condition that comes to auction from a private collection. About 823 were sold in Australia. The 750 GT is expected to fetch $25,000-$30,000. A potentially-cheaper alternative from the same era finished in period ‘orange’ is a 1978 Ducati 860 GT ‘Café Racer’ being offered with no reserve. It is expected to bring $15,000 – $18,000. A late production 1988 750 F1 with updated spec is expected to sell for $20,000-$25,000. Only 1801 of these bikes were produced from 1985-1986, plus 700 of the limited-edition versions. The final bike in the Ducati lot is an original 1971 Ducati 450 Scrambler that inspired the modern range of Scramblers. It comes in “excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition” and is expected to sell with no reserve in the $12,000 – $15,000 range. The Sydney Auction showroom has re-opened under reduced hours of 10am-4pm, Monday – Friday; the Melbourne Auction showroom is closed due to Stage 4 restrictions. For more details of all Shannons Spring Timed Online Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
The FZ name holds weight in today’s day and age. The Yamaha FZ-07, FZ-09, and FZ-10 (recently changed to MT-0X) have dominated the naked sports bike market and brought large popularity to this section of bikes through providing a comfortable yet sporty alternative to Yamaha’s more traditional full-fairing street bikes.
All amazing vehicles have humble beginnings, and this 1986 FZ600 is the original motorcycle that brought weight to the FZ name.
This near-perfect specimenhas just 4000 miles on the odometer (300 of which were put on by the current owner), featuring a 599cc inline-four engine that revs to 10,500 RPM, married to a 6-speed transmission with a clean Arizona title.
The bike also features three-spoke wheels sitting in Michelin Pilot Activ tires, dual disks, conventional fork, and a swingarm with a monoshock.
The seat and paint are in perfect condition aside from a small crack and damage location on the lower left fairing. The paint is a beautiful flat white with classic Yamaha FZ red and blue graphics along the fairings.
The most recent owner purchased the motorcycle in 2010, and it has sat with fuel stabilizer for the last decade in storage until today where it is up for auction on bringatrailer.comwith no reserve and 7 days left on the auction.
I think Honda Grom’s are super cool. I have a few friends with their Grom’s kit out for stunts with custom bars, cages, exhausts, and the works. Although I have some personal experience with them though, Grom’s and other mini-bikes are still quite a niche vehicle here in North America outside the enthusiast subsection. The same goes for small cars though, they’re very popular in Europe but here in NA there are other options that typically garner most people’s attention instead.
For those in the mini-bike camp, here is the crowned jewel awaiting your purchase. A rare 1986 Suzuki RB50 GAG. The motorcycle lived a very short life with only being manufactured for two years and seeing low sales, so you can bet this is the perfect bike to stow away in a corner and let collect value for the next few years (because it small and doesn’t take up much space… funny, right?). Or ride the heck out of it, to each their own.
1986 Suzuki GSX-R750
As you can see, the tiny bike was carefully modelled after its big brother, the 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750.
The bike has been appraised between $5,900-$7,100 USD and will be going up for auction at the Zoute Sale in on October 11th, in Belgium.
The motorcycle is so rare it’s honestly difficult for me to find proper video footage to show you guys what the bike is like, but here’s a great one from Youtuber ‘memories created’ taking it for a spin around the block.
Two 250cc Benelli Grand Prix racing motorcycles have broken the auction world records for the marque at the live and online Bonhams Summer Sale last Sunday (16 August 2020).
The auction was Bonham’s most successful motorcycle sale to date, achieving a total of £3.67 million over three days.
Benelli records
1964 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix (left) and 1950 Benelli 250cc GP bike
A 1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix motorcycle, ridden to world championship victory by Dario Ambrosini, was the first to set the new record.
It sold for £138,000 (about $A252,500).
Minutes later that record was shattered by its stablemate, a 1964 250cc Grand Prix machine winner of that year’s Spanish Grand Prix, ridden and signed by two-time world champion Tarquino Provini.
It sold for £149,500 ($A273,560), the top lot of the weekend’s sale.
They were part of a collection of motorcycle gathered over 40 years by motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix boss Giancarlo Morbidelli.
It was be the largest single private collection of motorcycles yet offered by Bonhams.
“He spent day and night in the museum,” says his son Guianni. “He had no other life.”
Giancarlo Morbidelli and a Morbidelli V8
Giancarlo’s collection includes international brands such as Harley-Davidson, Honda and Benelli ranging from immaculate restorations to prototypes and barn finds.
They represent the passion of the farmer’s son and former woodworking machinist who, while building up a successful engineering firm as his day job, spent his spare time on tuning, racing and later building his own motorcycles.
Another record was set at the summer sale was with a concours 1979 Ducati 864CC Mike Hailwood Replica, a landmark model paying homage to ‘Mike the Bike’s’ historic Isle of Man comeback victory in the 1978 Production Race.
It sold for £36,800, a new UK auction record for this particular model.
If you ever wanted to buy a classic motorcycle or bike-related memorabilia at auction, the Bonhams three-day bike bonanza could be your best opportunity.
Their Summer Sale bonanza will be held at Bicester Heritage from 14 to 16 August, 2020, rather than at the International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford, due to government guidelines on COVID-19.
So, for the first time the sale will be held over three days, showcasing more than 100 years of design and manufacture.
With estimates varying from £80 ($A145) to £400,000 ($A730,000), the sale will offer something for everyone. Seventy-five per cent of the lots are to be offered without reserve.
Email [email protected] to book a pre-sale viewing appointment or [email protected] to register to bid online, telephone or to leave an absentee bid.
Bike bonanza schedule
Day 1, Spares and Memorabilia, Friday 14 August 10am GMT
More than 200 lots of spares and memorabilia, to be offered entirely without reserve.
A treasure trove of early 20thCentury posters, beautifully designed enamel signs, vintage rider apparel and rare motorcycle spares (including frames and engines)will set the pace for one of the largest motorcycle sales to date.
Day 2, Motorcycles Saturday 15 August 10.00 BST (Lots 301 – 462)
Lots offered will include several important machines from the early ‘Pioneer Period’ of motorcycling.
The 1909 Minerva 3½hp with Wicker Sidecar(£25,000 – 35,000) is well known within the motorcycle fraternity, having regularly taken part in the prestigious London to Brighton Pioneer Run and benefited from restoration work by J W Tennant-Eyles in the 1980s.
Bonhams are synonymous with the sale of golden-era V-Twins and the 1927 Matchless 982cc M3/S Sports Solo (£28,000 – 35,000) together with the 1928 Montgomery 680cc ‘Twin Five’(£25,000 – 35,000) are both exceedingly rare Vintage examples, both eligible for the infamous VMCC Banbury Run, where the latter was a concours award-winner in 2004.
The 1935 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 (£65,000 – 80,000),‘The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles’ needs no introduction and this matching-numbers example has been in enthusiast-ownership since 2000, having been restored by Dave Clark in the late 1990s
Following the demise of the British motorcycle industry in the late 1960’s a plethora of Italian and Japanese manufactures began producing incredibly well engineered multi-cylinder motorcycles, and Bonhams are proud to be offering several important landmark variants:
1974 MV Agusta 750S (£60,000 – 70,000), a shaft driven four-cylinder mechanical-marvel, developed alongside a long line of highly successful grand prix racers.
Honda’s outrageous six-cylinder 1979 Honda CBX1000 Super Sport (£6000 – 10,000 NO RESERVE) which few bikes can match for charisma, visual appeal and, above all, sound.
One owner, 124 miles from new 1999 MV Agusta 750cc F4 ‘Serie Oro’ (£28,000 – 35,000) arguably one of the most beautifully designed motorcycles of modern times.
Day 3, The Morbidelli Collection, Sunday 16 August, 10.00 BST (Lots 501 – 704)
The highlight of The Summer Sale, with more than 200 motorcycles offered from the stable of the late Giancarlo Morbidelli, lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and the man behind the fabled Morbidelli MotoGP manufacturer.
The Morbidelli collection charts the development of over 65 different manufactures including scooters, some of the most exotic racing grand prix machinery extant and several important Moto Giro d’Italia entrants.
Highlights include:
1964 Ducati 125cc4-cylinderGrand Prix racing motorcycle(£400,000 – 600,000), a ‘mythical’ Grand Prix machine created by the firm’s chief engineer, Fabio Taglioni.This motorcycle disappeared for some years before its engine was found in Russia while its chassis reappeared in Yugoslavia, now Croatia. With the two essential components reunited, Giancarlo rebuilt the fabled motorcycle.
In accordance with current government guidelines, The Summer Sale will be conducted ‘behind closed doors, with online, telephone and absentee bidding offered.
However, all lots will be on view in advance of the sale in person, strictly by appointment, in Hanger 113 at Bicester Heritage, with full social distancing measures in place.
Viewing Times:
Wednesday 12 August 13.00 to 17.00
Thursday 13 August 09.00 to 17.00
Friday 14 August 09.00 to 17.00
Saturday 15 August 09.00 to 17.00 (Lots 501-704 only)
A tribute motorcycle to Isle of Man TT racing legend Joey Dunlop who died in 2000 is the highlight of an online auction in his Northern Ireland homeland.
The limited-edition Honda SP-1 was commissioned by Honda dealer Tippetts Motors of Surbiton, Surrey, in the early 2000s to commemorate the Northern Irish racing legend’s record number of Isle of Man TT victories.
The bike which will be auctioned online by Mid Ulster Auctions from 27–31 July 2020.
It has only three miles (4.8km) on the clock, is number nine of only 26 produced.
Joey Dunlop’s TT wins
At the Isle of Man TT meeting in 2000, Joey won the Formula 1 TT, the Ultra Lightweight TT (125cc) and the Lightweight TT (250cc), securing his third career hat-trick and setting a record 26 wins – an achievement that remains undefeated over two decades later.
The Joey Dunlop bike is part of an extensive collection being auctioned on behalf of the family of the late George Miller, a renowned Ardstraw-based motorcycle expert and enthusiast.
Accumulated over the past 40 years, the collection of more than 300 lots comes to market directly from the popular biker’s former business, George Miller Motorcycles, which was established in the late 1970s in the Tyrone village.
Royal wedding Bonnie
Triumph Bonneville Royal Wedding edition
Another featured lot in the sale is a limited-edition 1981 Triumph Bonneville, one of only 125 UK models produced.
Dubbed the Royal Wedding edition, it was launched to commemorate the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Other Triumph motorcycles include two 500cc Daytona models and a Speed Twin.
The motorcycle which coined the term ‘superbike’, the Honda CB750F, will also go under the hammer.
1951 Matchless G80 500cc
Other models to be auctioned include a BSA A7 500cc twin, an Ariel NH350 Red Hunter, a 1951 Matchless G80 500cc, a Hercules W-2000, and Ehrlich 250 GP.
MUA Director Noel Lennon says, “We’re delighted to be working on behalf of the Miller family to manage the sale of this outstanding collection. George’s passion for all things motorcycles is renowned and that shows in the variety of bikes he acquired that carry with them important historical links, from the origins of the ‘superbike’ to rare and limited edition models.
“George Miller Motorcycles in Ardstraw attracted enthusiasts from the motorcycle community right across Northern Ireland and even further afield. We believe there will be great interest in the collection when it comes to auction.”
As well as motorcycles, a large selection of equipment, gear, parts, and other memorabilia will be auctioned.
A collection of motorcycles gathered over 40 years by motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix boss Giancarlo Morbidelli will finally go to auction after twice being postponed.
It will be the largest single private collection of motorcycles yet offered by Bonhams.
“He spent day and night in the museum,” says his son Guianni. “He had no other life.”
Giancarlo Morbidelli and a Morbidelli V8
Giancarlo’s collection includes international brands such as Harley-Davidson, Honda and Benelli ranging from immaculate restorations to prototypes and barn finds.
They represent the passion of the farmer’s son and former woodworking machinist who, while building up a successful engineering firm as his day job, spent his spare time on tuning, racing and later building his own motorcycles.
Morbidelli highlights
Two examples from the Morbidelli Grand Prix racing motorcycle collection, largely designed and built by Giancarlo, were fabricated by a small, dedicated team in a corner of the Morbidelli woodworking factory.
These proved to be ‘giant killers’ seeing off international corporations to claim the 125cc Grand Prix World Championship in three consecutive years: 1975, ‘76 and ‘77, as well as winning the 250cc world title in 1977.
“He was a genius with bikes,” says Gianni.
“He did everything by himself, working in a very small room.
“Forty years ago, he laid the foundation of this incredible museum, spending a lot of effort, time, energy and money.
“One part of the museum is dedicated to the period between the end of the 1960s to the 1980s when he built racing motorcycles. It’s our family heritage, a part of our life, but we thought it would be correct to include in the sale two Morbidelli motorcycles that my father built.”
The 1974 Morbidelli 125cc Grand Prix motorcycle is estimated to fetch up to £120,000 ($A214,500).
1974 Morbidelli 125
It was raced by the great Angel Nieto to second place in that year’s Spanish and German Grand Prix.
A 250cc machine designed for 15-time Grand Prix world champion Giacomo Agostini, who rode for the team during its golden period in 1976, and came second at Misano is estimated to fetch up £100,000 ($A179,000).
Agostini’s 1976 Moridelli 250
However, the Morbidelli family will retain ownership of the majority of the Morbidelli Grand Prix motorcycles, including the world championship winning 125cc and 250cc examples, raced respectively by Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego Mario.
Benelli features
1942 Benelli 250 GP supercharged
Not surprisingly, the Morbidelli Museum collection in the sale features a strong showing of Benelli motorcycles which were also a great passion of Giancarlo, coming from Pesaro, where this great historic brand was also founded.
One of the most interesting examples of the marque on offer is the 1942 250cc supercharged 4-cylinder example that could fetch more than £600,000 ($A1m).
This racing machine never actually raced. It was built just in time for motorcycle racing to be stopped due to the war, while supercharging was banned by the FIM in post-war years.
Giancarlo had a personal relationship and friendship with the Benelli family and so was able to procure the original parts which he rebuilt into a fully-functioning motorcycle.
Other Benellis to be offered include:
1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle – the world championship motorcycle ridden to victory by Dario Ambrosini. Estimate £120,000 – 180,000.
1934 Benelli 175cc Bialbero – believed raced by Dorino Serafini, one of only three in the world. Estimate £40,000 – 60,000.
1964 Benelli 250 Grand Prix racing motorcycle, ridden and signed by two-time world champion Tarquino Provini. Estimate £80,000 – 120,000.
Ducati jewel
1964 Ducati 125cc
Another jewel of the Morbidelli Collection is the 1964 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder Grand Prix racing motorcycle, (estimate £400,000 – 600,000), another GP racing machine which never raced. Created by Fabio Taglioni, Ducati’s chief engineer, this motorcycle disappeared for some years before its engine was found in Russia while its chassis reappeared in Yugoslavia, now Croatia. With the two essential components reunited, Giancarlo rebuilt the mythical motorcycle.
Alongside the pristine restorations, there are several unfinished projects in the sale, offering the opportunity to restore these machines as Giancarlo was hoping to.
The collection also comprises motorcycling memorabilia including Giancarlo’s own reference library, original drawings, trophies, signage and other artefacts, giving a complete picture of the museum and the motorcycling world.
