SOLD: Five top buys in March
from Charterhouse, Spicers and H and H
SOLD FOR £1900 1938 New Imperial Model 23 ohv Spicers sale, March 25
Not a true vintage machine maybe, but a delightful slice of pre-war motorcycling history for a reasonably modest outlay all the same. New Imperial was just one of the British manufacturers to introduce a sub-150cc model to take advantage of the reduced rate of road tax offered from 1932 – and the 148cc Model 23 went on to become the company’s best-selling model, running from 1932 until New Imperial stopped making bikes in 1939.
This example retains its original registration and looks to be in excellent order – though it is described as requiring recommissioning. It was sold with a small cache of spares, too. icersauctioneers.com
SOLD FOR £10,000 1961 BSA DBD34 Gold Star Charterhouse sale, March 30
Emerging from previous long-term ownership, this a very tidy and useable Goldie. In fact, so usable is it, that the vendor actually rode the bike to the sale room. And, although fitted with a period Lyta fuel tank, a Mikuni carburettor and wider, modern clip-ons, the original tank, GP carburettor and clip-ons are all included in the sale. The bike also features a Bob Newby clutch and primary drive kit and is said to start and run very well.
Certainly prices for good Gold Stars appear to have fallen back a little in recent years, which means that the possibility of owning a good DBD34 is becoming a more realistic ambition for more would-be owners. charterhouse-bikes.com
SOLD FOR £23,000 1987 Suzuki RG500 Gamma H&H NMM sale, March 29
Based on their successful RG500 race bike, Suzuki’s road-going RG500 Gamma was (along with Yamaha’s RD500LC) the closest thing to a race bike on the road when it was released in 1985. The square-four rotary-valve two-stroke machine was only produced for three years, during which time it offered 130mph performance with race-bred handling.
RG500S have been steadily appreciating in value for e few years now, so it’s no real surprise to see this very well presented low-mileage Japanese home market model sell well. Serviced only 20km ago, with new brake pads and tyres fitted, the bike is running well and ready to enjoy. handh.co.uk
SOLD FOR £240,000 1937 Brough Superior SS100 and Alpine Grand Sports sidecar Charterhouse sale, March 30
Every sale has its star lot – and at Charterhouse’s March sale, this is it. A quite stunning Brough SS100 outfit with plenty of history, it topped the sale in spectacular fashion.
Originally supplied to well known racer Eric Fernihough, it was featured in The Motor Cycle magazine in 1954, before being borrowed from its then owner by George Brough to use on the 50th London to Edinburgh Run. After the event, it was overhauled for free at the Brough works and was later sold to an American collector before returning to the UK in 1987. Its vendor is a Japanese collector and the bike was offered in superb condition throughout. charterhouse-bikes.com
SOLD FOR £2442 1955 BSA B31
H&H NMM sale, March 29
This earlier-restoration B31 looks like an excellent buy for its new owner. Looking complete and substantially original, it had formed part of a private collection for a number of years and was described as requiring recommissioning before use. Nonetheless, the engine turns over on the kickstart and, with the enviable reputation for reliability and durability the understressed B31’s overhead-valve engine enjoys, that should be relatively straightforward.
With a 55mph cruising speed, the BSA should provide an enjoyable ride on back roads and is proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to own a practical British classic. handh.co.uk