This year’s Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in England will feature a tasteful collection of nearly 100 Japanese motorcycles from a private European collection that features everything from the classic Honda Super Cub to the Honda NR750 to a Honda CB77 Superhawk and ex-Steve Borgan CBR1000RR7 (latter two shown above).
Plus, a variety of Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha classic motorcycles from the 1950s through the 1980s, and a sand-cast CBX1000 and CX500 will be featured at the Bonhams auction during The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at the Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford, England, on Sunday Oct. 20.
The entire lot is being sold is owned by Michael Buttinger, a Dutch entrepreneur and collector, and is expected to bring in around $470,000.
Buttinger progressed from a love of mopeds to motorcycles, eventually becoming a mechanic at a Honda dealer. He then began a business trading second-hand parts for Mopeds while in college, and his business grew to one of the world’s largest suppliers. While his business was thriving, he began collecting, with the bulk amount of motorcycles largely from the 1960s.
Michael Buttinger says: “I first became interested in mopeds at the age of 10, thanks to a friend who used to work on them, and bought my first – a ‘restoration project’ Honda C310 – at the age of 11. I remember my mother was horrified that I had spent all my money on a ‘wreck’. But no matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t see this wreck that she mentioned. What I saw was beautiful design and a moped with potential.
“I was on holiday with my mum in Crete and had rented a Honda C50 to take on a road trip for the day. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw another C50 in a ravine. I risked my life and made the descent to where the bike was. Miraculously, I got it out in bits and pieces, and was able to take it home to sell the parts.
“I have been driven by a passion for Japanese motorcycles – for their design and for the philosophy behind the design, which I find fascinating. It has been a difficult decision to sell these machines, which have formed a large part of my life, but I do not have the time to dedicate to using and riding the newer machines, or to completing the restoration projects, and I feel the time is now right to let other enthusiasts bring these wonderful machines back to life.”
Ben Walker (Head of the Bonhams Motorcycle Department) says: “We are delighted to have been asked to offer Mr Buttinger’s amazing and eclectic collection of Japanese classics for sale at our Autumn Stafford Sale. Mike’s attention to detail with the those machines he has restored – or those he has purchased due to their high level of originality – is superb.
“The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is the perfect venue at which to offer these machines, and we hope to achieve a good result.”
Particular highlights of the collection, a large part of which will be sold at no reserve, are (with estimates in British pounds):
– Honda NR750 (£50,000 – £70,000)
– Honda CR93 (£26,000 – £32,000)
– Honda CBR1000RR7, ex-Steve Brogan (£16,000 – £20,000)
– Honda Juno M85 (£7,000 – £10,000)
– Honda GB500 (£6,000 – £8,000)
– Honda GL1000 (£6,000 – £8,000)
– Honda CB450 K0 (£5,000 – £6,000)
– Kawasaki Z900 (£8,000 – £12,000)
– Suzuki RE5 (£10,000 – £15,000)
– Yamaha TA125 Racer (£5,000 – £7,000)
Items in the auction will be available to view between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, and from 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 with s, and continue at noon with Motorcycles. To register to bid call +44 20 7447 7448 or email bids@bonhams.com.