1947 Vincent HRD Series B Rapide (courtesy of Mortons Archives)
1947 Vincent HRD Series B Rapide
1947 Vincent HRD Series B Rapide (courtesy of Mortons Archives)
1947 Vincent HRD Series B Rapide (courtesy of Mortons Archives)
1972 Butler & Smith BMW F750
1972 Butler & Smith BMW F750
2014 Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction BMW & VincentThe Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction Jan. 9, 2014, at Bally’s Hotel & Casino will feature two very special racing motorcycles from what is perhaps the most impressive collection of motorcycles offered at auction in years.
First is the ex-1973 Daytona 200 1972 Butler & Smith BMW F750 – one of only two such factory-supplied, purpose-built machines modified by tuner Udo Geitl of Butler & Smith, the BMW importers for America.The surprisingly fast and powerful R75/5s Geitl uprated for Team Butler & Smith stunned the world and were to help forever change the image of BMW in America from that of a stuffy tourer to a sporting machine, as these were the precursors to the history-making Butler & Smith BMW R90S – also prepped by Geitl – that Reg Pridmore would soon ride to victory and clinch the first-ever Superbike championship title.This particular F750 was an official entrant in the 1973 Daytona 200 with BMW rider Kurt Leibmann alongside its twin ridden by Reg Pridmore, and is the focus of a feature article written by renowned motorcycle journalist Alan Cathcart and his test ride on this rare, beautiful beast at the Barber Motorsports Park in October 2013.Next is the 1950 Isle of Man Clubman TT-winning 1947 Vincent HRD Series B Rapide ridden to victory by Alex Phillip and subsequently owned by larger-than-life British war hero “Mad Jack” Churchill. Soon after the Isle of Man win, the Rapide was uprated to full Black Lightning specifications and performed, in the words of Phillip, “like a rocketship” before being sold to the daring and eccentric Lt. Colonel Churchill of WWII commando fame.Nick Smith (Head of Motorcycles for Bonhams Motoring Department) says: “We are very pleased to be to have been selected to represent these historic motorcycles at auction.“Both machines are quite significant for different reasons and both represent the ultimate in motorcycling: racing at its highest level.”These historically significant motorcycles will join the Silverman Museum Racing Collection of Ducatis and the Pierce Family Museum Collection of Harley-Davidsons – along with many other diverse and important motorcycles – on January 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.To order a catalog and register to bid, in person or remotely, please visit bonhams.com/vegas.
This week, Senior Editor Nic de Sena rides the all new Ducati Monster. Big changes have been made by Ducati–has the company ruined the considerable heritage of the iconic Monster–or are the changes worth it? In the second part of the show, we chat with Nick Ienatsch, Founder and Head Instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riding School. He says: “We aim to change your riding life by introducing you to Champions Habits: The techniques, approaches, skills, and the mindsets of the best riders in the world. These Champions Habits are the foundation of safety and consistency to whatever speed you ride, in any venue on any bike. Street riders, this is just as much for you as track riders. The best way to make safe riders is to make good riders.“ We hope you enjoy this episode!
