American, Brit, Japanese bikes star at Shannons Winter Auction

Shannons Winter Timed Online Auction this past August was once again a feast for fans of classic and collectable motorcycles, with no less than 38 lots on offer, covering a broad range of makes, models and eras. 

Overall sales of $11.2 million from the auction, which was conducted online from 2 to 9 August, covered cars, memorabilia and heritage number plates, as well as motorcycles. Of the 38 two-wheel consignments, seven were passed in, including a pair of pre-war Harley-Davidsons, a Manx Norton and a project-spec 1915 Indian ‘Hedstrom Racer’ that attracted bidding of close to $50,000.

While that Indian was passed in, another would be the top-selling bike - a 1934 Scout

Indian released their first Scout model in 1920, initially with a 37ci (600cc) v-twin before offering a 45ci (750cc) engine from 1927. A year later, the now iconic Scout 101 debuted, featuring a new frame, longer wheelbase, lower seat height, reduced weight and improved 45ci engine that made it popular with flat track racers and hillclimbers.

From 1932, the rationalisation of Indian’s range under new owners saw the Scout and Scout 101 share the same frame as the Chief and Four. A smaller-engined ‘Pony Scout’ (later re-named Junior Scout) was offered in the same year and would form the basis of the 741 built for military use during World War II

In an effort to recapture some of the Scout 101 market, a ‘Sport Scout’ was added in 1934, with other developments added during the 1930s, including girder forks and plunger-style rear suspension.

Although a short run of Sport Scouts were built for racing after WWII, the Scout model didn’t return to market in its pre-war form. Instead, Indian attached the name to a 26.6ci (435cc) parallel twin from 1949. This was upsized to 31ci (500cc) in 1950 and re-named Warrior.

The short-lived ‘Gilroy’ Indian revival offered a Scout model from 2001 to 2003, while Indian’s rebirth under Polaris ownership in 2011 saw an all-new Scout introduced for 2015.

The Scout on offer with Shannons was a 1934 model, and although it wasn’t a Sport Scout, it did feature the larger 45ci v-twin. This was attached to a three-speed gearbox with right-side hand shift (meaning a left-hand throttle) and chain final drive.

Believed to have been sold new in Benalla, Victoria, this Scout was purchased there by the consignor in 1998 to add to a growing motorcycle collection.

In 2013, the Scout was sent to Peter Leech in Tasmania for an extensive restoration that took three years to complete and, thanks to minimal use since, still looks immaculate now.

Finished in light blue with black and gold pinstriping, features of note include an ‘Indian head dress’ horn, leather saddle, footboards and a tank-mounted Corbin speedometer.

The general enthusiasm for classic Indian Scouts, along with the condition of this example, saw it sell for $56,000.

In terms of American bikes, other sales of note from this auction included $37,500 for a restored 1935 Harley-Davidson VFD and $27,500 for a sought-after 1978 Harley-Davidson XLCR, while British classics that sold well included a 1972 Norton Commando that went for $25,500, a project-spec 1950 Vincent Comet that made $38,500 and a 1951 Triumph 5T Speed Twin that sold for $22,000.

Japanese classics at this auction were led by a gaggle of Kawasakis, including two near-identical C1975 Z1s, a 1975 H2C and 1973 H2A. Of the Z1s, one was offered in project spec with no reserve and managed to outsell its restored rival, making $29,500 against $27,222. Although the H2C was passed in, the H2A sold for $29,000.

Other Japanese classics included a 1973 Honda CB750 K3 ($14,222), 1979 Honda CBX1000 ($24,500), 1997 Honda CR500 two-stroke MXer ($14,500), 1979 Yamaha XS850 ($8,000) and a trio of Honda Monkey bikes, one of which sold for $10,000.

European offerings from this auction included a pair of Ducati Mike Hailwood Replicas, both 1981 units with minor detail differences, that sold for $36,501 and $34,000. A 1973 Ducati 350 Mk3 went for $18,850 and a 1973 BMW R90/6 made $16,000.

For more details on all lots from this auction, go to: shannons.com.au