It’s not just about the machines. Spending time perusing the list of motorcycles up for bidding at the upcoming 35th annual Antique & Vintage Motorcycle Auction by Mecum Auctions (scheduled for January 27-31 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) is an opportunity to reflect on the artistry and engineering of old race bikes. It’s not just a trip down memory lane for old times’ sake, but an opportunity to reflect on how those builders, engineers and innovators thought, how they solved issues, how with their limited knowledge and technology they sought to make their race bikes quicker, lighter and better handling. And it’s an opportunity to reflect on the skills of those riders, who did breathtaking things on machines with the limitations of the day. I mean, seriously, the tires alone from the 1950s would scare you senseless on a racetrack today!
So, a few more of the amazing race bikes that are going to be up for sale:
An original NCR factory race bike now owned by Bob Robbins has a Daspa frame and is powered by a 905cc air-cooled square-case V-Twin engine featuring bevel-driven camshafts and desmodromic valve actuation. The machine is equipped with race-modified Dell’Orto PHM 40 carburetors, a white-dial Veglia tachometer with an 8,500 rpm redline, magnesium Campagnolo wheels fitted with original Michelin S41 front and rear TV4 race tires, a hand-laid fiberglass fairing, and Marzocchi 320mm shocks. It has only ever been ridden for parade laps in 2011 in New Zealand by Paul Smart and is a sister machine to the 1978 Ducati that Mike Hailwood rode to a win at the Isle of Man. And, once again, fair warning of an impending time sink: The Falloon Report written specifically for current bike owner (and serious supporter of U.S. road racing) Robbins that accompanies the racebike is mesmerizing and you will find yourself reading the entire report, from beginning to end.
A 1967 factory replica built by British builder George Beale represents the third of 10 replicas, finished in period-correct 1967 factory Honda livery. Built with the cooperation and assistance of Honda and using the original Honda blueprints for the chassis and engine, and with reference to existing originals, the motorcycle features a 297cc inline six-cylinder four-stroke engine with Keihin carburetors, a seven-speed gearbox, and a 6-into-6 exhaust system housed in a twin-loop steel frame. This single-owner machine is equipped with full-fairing bodywork, an alloy gas tank, a road race solo seat, telescopic front forks, dual rear shocks, dual-leading-shoe drum front brakes, spoked wheels with vintage road racing tires, chain final drive, and carries Frame No. RC174GB03 and Engine No. RC174GB03. Owned by the late Bob MacLean (founder of World Championship Motorsports), it is believed to be the only one of the 10 that are located in the United States.
Another of MacLean’s bikes is this single-owner 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix racer restored by Alan Cathcart. It features a 249cc air-cooled single-cylinder DOHC four-stroke engine, a five-speed transmission, and a tubular steel frame with chain final drive, carrying matching Engine and Frame No. 0504. Finished in factory Silver and White Mondial race livery, it is equipped with a steel gas tank, road race solo seat, low-mount single exhaust, telescopic external-spring front forks, dual rear shocks, front and rear drum brakes, and spoked wheels with vintage road racing tires. Known as the “Bialbero” for its gear-driven dual overhead camshafts with bevel-gear timing, the model helped Mondial secure four of six 250cc Grand Prix wins in 1957 and is regarded as one of the last great four-stroke Grand Prix machines of the post-World War II era.
The interview below is with Bob MacLean’s son Ian, who provides some insight into the bikes up for auction.
