Motorbike belonging to same family for nearly a century described as 'truly amazing discovery' put up for sale after 50 years gathering dust in a shed
Family heirlooms are typically treasured and carefully handed down from generation to generation.
And while this vintage motorcycle has been passed from parents to child for nearly a century, it has barely stood the test of time, after being left to gather dust in a shed.
Now, after decades spent forgotten, the 1923 Matchless J Type motorcycle has emerged for auction - and will hopefully be sold to someone willing to lavish some care and attention on it. READ ON
Back in March of 1972 former editors Steve Stillwell and Jim Clark met up with Tennesse native Tom Cass during the Daytona Bike Week and Shot his 1969 Shovelhead that was hard-tailed, molded, and painted in candy red lacquer. READ ON
Sure, it’s rusted, the seat’s a goner and the gas tank bears gaping holes.
But to Ron Miller, it’s a beauty. Never mind that it’s been sitting on a lake bottom the past 56 years. This motorcycle has a tale it wants told.
“I have a feeling the bike is talking to me, and it’s telling me to go out and tell the story,” Miller said. READ ON
In addition to the nearly 250 antique, vintage and classic motorcycles being offered at Bonhams' Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction in January is a unique collection of mid-century cut-away motors and components.
The fascinating mechanical displays represent uncommon marques HMW, JLO, NSU, Pluvier, Solex and others, while a selection of cut-away multi-speed hubs from Sturmey-Archer round out the collection complimented by various cut-away motor wheels, single-cylinder and two-stroke engines.
These and many complete engines from Adler, Auto Wheels, FN, Harley-Davidson, Honda and Thor join an already impressive offering of motorcycling components and memorabilia that will precede the motorcycles on auction day.
Renowned for motorcycles of extremely rarity, historical importance and cultural interest, Bonhams' third annual Las Vegas auction will not disappoint. In addition to those motorcycles that have already received considerable attention – 1939 BMW RS 255 Kompressor, 1902 Rambler Model B, only surviving 1905 Leo Two-Cycle and Steve McQueen's 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross – are many more notable machines such as the 1903 Alldays & Onions, 1928 Ace Four Hemi-Head Prototype made for E. Paul du Pont, 1930 Böhmerland with Sidecar, 1978 Ducati NCR and 1989 Norton F1 Rotary Prototype, to name just a few.
The Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction
Thursday, January 10th
• Memorabilia 10:00 am
• Motorcycles 12:00 pm
Bally’s Hotel & Casino on The Strip
Bonhams.com/Vegas
If you're reading this magazine, you must know who Jasin Phares is…don't you? Yeah, that one dude originally from Kansas that builds killer bikes up in Northern California. Well, there's no better way to get to know him than by checking out this Q&A we rattled off on the side of the freeway. READ ON



