On 21st and 22nd April, the largest ever Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale of classic and collectors' motorcycles will take place at the International Classic MotorCycle Show. The sale has been split in to a two-day event to accommodate the astonishing number of machines on offer. More than 300 motorcycles have been consigned - including several single-owner collections – ranging from pre-war American machines to modern Japanese superbikes.

One of them is the 1973 MV Augusta 750 Sport, considered one of the most desirable of post-war motorcycles.

We have worked closely with experts at Bonhams Auction House - the most renowned auctioneers of fine art, motorbikes, cars and jewellery. They provided us with official valuations in order to properly understand how much these motorbikes have appreciated since they came out on the market. As a result, we now have information on some of the most valuable motorbikes in recent history.

Features:

• A list of 30 motorbikes ranked by both 'current value' and 'appreciation' with a short bio
• Top 10 list of most valuable motorbikes and motorbikes that has appreciated the most in value
• Fully embeddable
• Quotes from expert 

In the existing list, we have a 1972 MV Agusta 750s that reached a selling price of £84,380 so it will be interesting to see what the final price will land on for the 1973 model that’s up for grabs on Sunday. It’s expected to land on anything between £70,000 and £90,000.

1973 MV AGUSTA 750S Registration no. CNF 113M Frame no. MV4C75 Lot 262 (22 Apr 2018, 12:00 BST)

'The 750S is still one of the most dramatic looking bikes made. This is in no small part due to the colours: crimson frame, red, blue and white tank, and white fairing with the insignia of MV Agusta emblazoned on the sides.' – Bike magazine.

Developed from its long line of highly successful multi-cylinder racers, MV Agusta's first road-going four - the 4C, a twin-carburettor, 600cc, shaft-driven tourer - appeared in 1965. But the public demanded something more exciting from many-times World Champions MV, and the Gallarate manufacturer duly obliged in 1968, upping capacity to 743cc and further boosting maximum power (to 65bhp) by fitting a quartet of Dell'Orto carburettors to the revised 750S, a high-speed symphony in red, white, and blue. Perhaps surprisingly for a sports model, the 750S retained the 4C's shaft final drive, while the frame too was virtually identical to that of its predecessor.

Hand made in limited numbers and priced accordingly, the 750S was way beyond the financial reach of the average enthusiast, selling to the kind of well-healed individual who might also own a Ferrari, Maserati, or Lamborghini. Marque specialist, the late Mick Walker got to try a mint, low mileage example in 1983, recording the event in his book 'MV Agusta Fours': 'The experience was unique; the rider was transported to a different level, and made to feel really special. There was certainly a pronounced "feel-good factor".'

Quote from expert 
Ben Walker, international director for Bonhams collectors' motorcycle department stated:

Why we selected the bikes we did
-       “When choosing which motorcycles to feature we’ve tried to select machines from across the collecting spectrum - from the early Pioneer period with the 1908 Triumph 3½hp Combination through the post-classic 1990 Honda VFR750R Type RC30.

-       These are machines that will appeal to all areas of enthusiasm – not just because of their value but also because of the nostalgia that they evoke.”

The increase in value
-       “It is fascinating to see how the values have increased since the machines were new. Knowing what we know now – the percentage increase in value and how difficult it is to acquire these machines - it would be great to step back in time and buy them when new….”

Top 10 most valuable motorbikes

1. 1951 Vincent Black Lightning - £ 657,652 
2. The ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project - £ 331,900
3. 1929 Brough Superior 968cc SS100 - £ 315,000
4. Rare 'one-of-one' Black Shadow variant in Chinese Red - 1951 Vincent White Shadow - £ 305,210
5. 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide - £ 275,900
6. 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Rapide Series-A Project - £ 270,300
7. 1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - £ 259,100
8. The ex-George Brough, London-Edinburgh Trial - 1939 Brough Superior 990cc SS100 - £ 253,500
9. The ex-Murray Motorcycle Museum, 1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 - £ 242,300
10. 1926 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - £ 236,700

Top 10 by value appreciation (inflation adjusted appreciation value)

1. 1951 Vincent Black Lightning - 4475.23%
2. 1929 Brough Superior 968cc SS100 - 3023.07%
3. Rare 'one-of-one' Black Shadow variant in Chinese Red - 1951 Vincent White Shadow - 2789.63%
4. The ex-George Brough, London-Edinburgh Trial - 1939 Brough Superior 990cc SS100 - 2735.30%
5. The ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1932 Brough Superior 800cc Model BS4 Project - 2666.55%
6. 1927 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - 2585.46%
7. 1926 Brough Superior 981cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project - 2422.67%
8. The ex-Murray Motorcycle Museum, 1934 Brough Superior 996cc SS100 - 2164.34%
9. 1937 Matchless 1,000cc Model X - 1008.66%
10. 1939 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide - 981.17%

Article supplied to THE BIKER GUIDE

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ SEEKS HIS FIRST POINTS IN TEXAS, SCOTT REDDING KEEN TO CONTINUE THE POSITIVE TREND

Before beginning the long European tour, MotoGP is making its last overseas stop to take on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. This is a track that created some difficulties for teams and riders because of rather bumpy asphalt, but which has now been partially resurfaced (between turns 1 and 9 and between turns 16 and 19), the effects of which will be clearer after the first practice sessions.

Scott Redding is approaching the American round after picking up his first championship points astride the Aprilia RS-GP in the last race in Argentina. The feeling with the Italian bike, which Scott is in his first year riding, is increasing consistently. This is partly due to the British rider's work method, analytical and always focused on improving in terms of race strategy rather than on instantaneous performance.

Aleix Espargaró is more than ready for redemption after being unable to earn points in the first two round of the season, despite clear demonstrations of his competitiveness, like his brilliant Saturday in Argentina. The Spanish rider's value and grit that shone through brightly on that occasion let him look at the upcoming race with renewed optimism.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"Qatar and Argentina were not two lucky races for me. On both occasions, I felt good and we had prepared well for the race, but we were unable to take points due to unexpected issues. During the break before Texas, I tried to rest up and recover energy together with my family - kind of a reset to rediscover the positive feeling for the upcoming race. It's not easy, but I know that I have always given my all, so we need to stay focused and continue working."

SCOTT REDDING
"The race in Argentina was an important one for me. It allowed me to recover the feeling that I had lost in Qatar after good pre-season training. My race position, just outside the top 10, is the result I was expecting to achieve at the beginning of the season. Riding race distance alongside other riders also gave me a chance to compare our performance with that of our rivals and see which areas we need to work on. I want to start from this foundation to keep growing and to grow the RS-GP, knowing that I am moving in the right direction."

Celebrating its milestone 70^th year, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will once again be hosted at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 17 June. Around 500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride out from the Museum on various circular routes. Regarded as the largest gathering of pre-1931 motorcycles & 3-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is geared towards those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.

In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays within the Museum grounds. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night for a discounted advance price of £26 per pitch for 1 night or £34 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Celebrating its 70th anniversary just goes to prove how immensely popular the Banbury Run is. Seeing hundreds ofvintage motorcycles ride together is a motoring spectacle that deserves to continue to flourish.”

The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Run beginning at 10am. Riders will start at 5 per minute. This year’s event is being supported by the Banbury Major who will be in attendance. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £8 in advance or £10 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £8 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre.

To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

Top of Kirkstone Pass

Carl Maloney 

One of the most important aspects of the National Motorcycle Museum friend’s scheme is giving its members the chance to take part in some riding activities that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Some of this unique content includes the chance for museum friend’s to ride some of the best bikes in our inventory!

NMM Friend’s Classic Bike Tour Day

Saturday 24th March saw six museum friends scheme members having the opportunity to ride some of the most exciting and valuable classic motorcycles from the museums inventory.

Those taking part received an induction and “off road” training before being escorted by ex-police motorcyclists/IAM instructors around the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Riding via Henley in Arden and other local beauty spots our riders enjoyed various museum bikes including a 1939 Triumph Tiger 100 and a 1960 Triumph Bonneville T120.
Each class of machine attracts a different “hire” fee which includes insurance cover and lunch in the museum restaurant. The next tours date we have planned is Saturday 12/05/18.

NMM Friend’s “Ride a Classic” Day

Saturday 31st March saw a capacity entry of 60 museum friend’s scheme members having the opportunity to ride a diverse range of classic motorcycles from the museums inventory in our first “ride a classic” day of 2018.
The day was split into two with 30 friends pre-booked onto either morning or afternoon sessions which gave everyone the chance to sample all of the eleven machines on offer.

Museum friend’s were treated to a host of exotic machinery including a Velocette Venom, Sunbeam Model 9, Ariel Cyclone 650cc, and even our very own “Steve McQueen/Great Escape” Triumph 650cc replica!

In addition to their annual membership fee the day cost museum friends just £10.00 per rider to help cover insurance costs. The next “ride a classic” day we have planned is Saturday 09/06/18.

Become a Friend Of The National Motorcycle Museum and Ride Our Bikes

Access to the above plus many other exclusive events & benefits for an annual subscription of-
Adults 18-65 £29.95
Senior Citizens 65+ £27.45
Junior 0-18 £19.95
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £49.95
By Phone: Call the National Motorcycle Museum on (01675) 443311

Join on-line www.thenmm.co.uk