More than 100 motorcycles, including Harley-Davidson, Indian, Ducati, and rare manufacturers such as Crocker, Brough Superior, Sears and Munch, will be auctioned in the US next month. The sale, which includes vintage Harley memorabilia, is expected to realise some $3 million (€3.3 million).
The Sotheby's Chicago sale on September 15th includes an extremely rare 1914 Sears "Deluxe" V-Twin, described as the finest unrestored example to appear at auction, which is expected to fetch somewhere between $110,000 and $120,000.
Mr Larry Sirolli, managing director of Sotheby's Chicago, told The Irish Times: "The Harley-Davidson is an American bike. I would say it is not necessarily the Rolls Royce of American-made bikes but it is the bike of the enthusiasts' choice."
The Indian Motorcycle Company, which began production in 1901, produced the machines of choice in the early 20th century, whereas Harley-Davidson achieved that status after 1950.
"It was the 1960s and the 1970s that brought Harley to where it stands today . Harleys and Indians are the most collectable of motorcycles in the United States," Mr Sirolli says.
Harley-Davidson is well represented in the auction, enhanced by a group of early Harley-Davidsons and related memorabilia collected over 40 years by Mr Charlie Stahl, a Harley dealer in Ohio. Nicknamed "Harley Charlie", Mr Stahl meticulously restored early Harleys for his motorcycle museum.
Highlights from Stahl's collection include a 1912 Harley-Davidson Single, known as the Silent Grey Fellow because of its silent performance. It is estimated to fetch between $35,000 and $40,000. A 1929 Harley-Davidson JD, which retailed at $320 in 1929, is expected to fetch $28,000 to $32,000, while a 1954 Harley-Davidson KHRM, one of only 100 produced, is estimated at $15,000 to $20,000.
The 1937 Brough Superior SS-100 in the auction is certified by the Machine Registrar in Britain and was Mr George Brough's personal machine. Unrestored with original paint and plating, it shows only 9,527 miles and is expected to sell for between $120,000 and $130,000.
Ducati achieved its first world-class win in 1972 when a pair of riders, Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari, rode identical 1972 Ducati 750cc works racers to victory at Imola near Bologna, Italy. Smart took first and Spaggiari was a close second.
Spaggiari's machine is up for auction, with a price tag of $100,000 to $150,000.
Other highlights from the auction include a pair of Crockers, named after designer Albert Crocker: a 1938 Crocker V-Twin estimated at $90,000 to $100,000 and a 1935 Speedway Racer at $40,000 to $50,000. From the Indian Motorcycle Company, there's a 1916 Indian Board Track Racer estimated at $35,000 to $55,000. A 1948 Indian Daytona 648 "Big Base" Scout, one of only 50 produced, is expected to go for $30,000-$40,000.
The Harley-Davidson Ireland Chapter One meets every Sunday at the Thunder Road CafΘ on Fleet Street, Dublin, and is affiliated to the Harley-Davidson dealership in Blessington Street, Dublin. Mr Pat King, road captain of the chapter, says Harley-Davidsons hold their value a lot more than other bikes.
He says a lot of members of chapters around the world own customised "one-off bikes, specially made for them" worth up to £50,000. Most machines owned by the Republic's chapter are recent bikes built in the past two or three years.
Absentee bids and telephone bidding will be accepted for the Chicago sale but arrangements should be made in advance. For details, see the Sotheby's website: www.sothebys.com
A charity antiques roadshow takes place at the Brandon Conference Centre, Tralee, Co Kerry, on Sunday, September 9th from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Proceeds go to the Kerry Hospice Foundation. The roadshow is supported by the Kerry ICA and The Irish Times.
Admission is £5 per person for up to three items valued and £2 per extra item.
jmarms@irish-times.ie
