Pre-war Flying Merkel twin formerly owned by Bud Ekins to be auction by Bonhams next month

A wide range of classic and modern motorcycling rarities are set to go up for auction this coming October at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Stafford, including a 1936 Vincent HRD expected to fetch between £240,000 – £280,000.

With just over a month to go until the October 12-13 event, which will take place at Stafford County Showground hosted by Bonhams, five motorcycles of the already 163-strong listing are expected to sell for five figures.

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This also includes a 1913 Flying Merkel twin that was once owned by Great Escape stunt rider, Bud Ekins. Expected to go for between £150,000 and £200,000, the bike is a twin-cylinder Seventy-One 471 which was sold by Ekins in 1998, with documents to prove it.

It was purchased by air show pilot Vic Norman, who had been told by Ekins that it had been bought new by a wealthy man living in New Mexico before ending up in his emerald mine, with its back wheel taken off, being used to power the electric lights. It’s sold in highly original condition however hasn’t been used in recent years.

“Some bikes are always going to be blue ribbon motorcycles,” International Department Director at Bonhams, Ben Walker told MCN. “The demand for pre-war motorcycles is very, very strong.

“There’s nobody alive now that can be nostalgic about a motorcycle built in 1925, but the mystique is still perpetuated and there’s still a lot of interest in them.”

He continued: “The two Stafford auctions set the precedent on what’s going on in the marketplace for the next six months, so it’s really important.”

More modern options also include a 2000-registration Yamaha OW-02 R7 that’s been in the possession of one owner from new and has covered just 2011 miles in its lifetime.

Unlike the pre-war bikes expected to fetch eye-watering sums, the 749cc four-cylinder homologation special is expected to fetch £30,000 – £35,000. This is despite having been recommissioned and upgraded by Harris Performance.