Kawasaki tops Shannons Summer Auction

Shannons’ first timed online auction for 2023 was a big one, with 282 lots in total, covering classic and collectable cars, number plates and memorabilia, as well as motorcycles, with a 76 per cent clearance rate and total sales of $17.5 million.

Of the motorcycles consigned, virtually every era was represented, from 1916 to the 1990s, as well as a plethora of manufacturers, models, categories and styles.

Rarities included a Chang Jiang sidecar outfit, Zundapp Bella and Maico Maicoletta scooters, Honda CX650 Turbo and an Excelsior Super X outfit.

High profile lots included a C1957 Manx Norton described as a Geoff Duke race bike that was built to order for the legendary British racer and restored after 30 years in pieces, with a ’62 88SS engine installed.

Other desirable British bikes included a 1973 Triumph X-75, 1956 Panther M100, 1977 Triumph Bonneville ‘Silver Jubilee’ 750 and a 1955 Triumph Thunderbird. From the Continent, there was a 1983 Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica, 1991 Cagiva Mito, 1973 Laverda 750 SF1, 1975 Moto Guzzi 850T, 1971 Ducati 450 ‘Silver Shotgun’ replica and the aforementioned scooters.

Aside from the Excelsior Super X, the only other American motorcycle consigned was a C1942 Harley-Davidson WLA, restored and decked out in California Highway Patrol livery, including lights and sirens.

Japanese motorcycles made up the majority of consignments for the Timed Online Summer Auction and it was from this group that the auction’s top seller came in the form of a 1973 Kawasaki Z1A 900.

The most powerful Japanese four-cylinder four-stroke when it was released in 1972, the Z1 produced 82hp and could reach 200km/h. In late 1973, the ‘Z1A’ arrived, which was only mildly changed from the original, with the only obvious differences being a polished (instead of black) engine and modified striping treatments on the carryover Candy Brown and Orange (aka Jaffa) and Candy Yellow and Green colour options.

Changes to the carburettors and ignition timing followed, a rear brake indicator was added and a twin disc front brake was offered as an option during Z1A production.

Colours changed and some engine internals were updated for the Z1B in 1975, which was the last year for the original Z1 before it was replaced by the Z900 in 1976.

Today, early Zs are as collectable as early examples of the CB750 that Kawasaki aimed to beat in the new motorcycle market, so it’s no surprise that this fully-restored 1973 example came to auction with a $30,000 - $44,000 guiding range. Finished in the popular Jaffa colour scheme and looking factory fresh with new rubbers, new lenses, new tyres and gleaming chrome, this Z1A exceeded its guiding range to sell for $45,000 – the top price for a motorcycle at the Summer Timed Online auction.

A later 1977 Kawasaki Z1000 sold for $24,500 against a No Reserve pre-auction guiding range of $18,000 - $25,000, while a 1973 Honda CB750 K2 sold for $20,000.

Finishing a close second behind the Z1A was the 1973 Triumph X-75, which despite being an older restoration, also exceeded its pre-auction estimate to sell for $40,500.

Of the classic scooters, the restored Maico sold for $8,600, while the original Zundapp made $7,400. Both were offered with No Reserve. Other notable results amongst the No Reserve consignments included $31,000 for the ’83 Ducati MHR, $26,000 for a 1976 Kawasaki H1 Mach III, $16,000 for a 1984 Kawasaki KR250, $15,000 for the ’77 Triumph Silver Jubilee and $12,500 for a 1980 Suzuki GS1000S.

Proving there’s a market for custom motorcycles at auction, a 1982 Honda CBX550 converted into a café racer sold for $5,100, while a 1929 Triumph ST 500 project sold for $5,800 and a pair of Honda Z50 mini bikes sold $4,900 and $3,400, respectively.

However, the top lot amongst the No Reserve bikes was the ’42 Harley WLA CHP replica, which exceeded its high estimate by $6K to sell for $36,000.

For full results and further details from this auction, go to: shannons.com.au