A motorcycle from the 1920s would be the pride and joy for a lot of motorcycle collectors. But getting your hands on the fastest motorcycle of the 1920s, well, that would be like catching a white whale.
Moby Dick, which was hailed in its day as the "fastest privately owned machine in the world suitable for road use," is going to be auctioned off at a Bonhams' Sale in Staffordshir.
The International Motorcycle Show in Staffordshire on 16th October 2011 will feature the 1929 Brough Superior SS100, which is also known as Moby Dick.
The bike is expected to bring in around 260,000 pounds ($425,000).
According to Bonhams, the motorcycle was tested in 1931 by Motor Cycling magazine. The test riders brought Moby Dick up to 106 mph. In 1929, three figure speeds were practically unheard of, but the Moby Dick continued to clock incredible speeds.
The motorcycle was fine tuned and was eventually able to reach 115 mph in top (third) gear and 109 mph in second.
The International Motorcycle Show in Straffordshire will also have a 1924 Brough Superior 980cc SS80, which is one of the earliest surviving SS80s, and a Maudes Trophy up for auction.
Ben Walker, Head of Motorcycles at Bonhams, comments,
"The second Bonhams Stafford sale of 2011 will offer one of our most eclectic selection of significant collectors' motorcycles ever, with everything from one of the earliest Brough Superior SS80s to a concours condition Kawasaki Z1, and aims to build on the incredible success of our April auction and its £2 million result. With in excess of 200 machines we aim to have something for everyone."
