Blue-Chip Bikes

BLUE-CHIP BIKES

Motorcycles You Should Have Bought: Motorcycles You (And We) Should Be Buying:

IF THERE’S ONE TOPIC WHICH INflames desire more effectively than classic motorcycles, it is searching out, buying, riding and making money on classic motorcycles come resale time. This is something a growing number of people now are doing, using the motorcycles you’ll find listed below.

This list was derived through discussions with classic and vintage motorcycle experts across the United States. It represents an informal consensus not only of what you might have bought a few years ago that’s worth a fortune today, but what you might buy cheaply now that’ll be worth a ton in a few years.

Most experts feel that with rare exception, the mass-produced Japanese motorcycle has yet to reach the point where it will appreciate greatly as a collector’s item. That’s not to say there isn’t collector interest in some Japanese motorcycles, it’s just that right now, they won’t increase in value as quickly as the more-desirable motorcycles from England, Italy, Germany and the U.S.

And note this when eyeballing classic bikes, especially classic racers. Counterfeits of these bikes exist, because, especially in England, many of these machines still are raced regularly. So wide is the availability of replacement parts for even very rare bikes, that it’s possible to build one from the ground up using all-new bits and pieces. Such a motorcycle is worth only a fraction of the value of the real McCoy.

And finally, there’s this: According to Dick Miles, whose Pennsylvania shop specializes in classic bikes, “You can’t pay too much for something. It’ll catch up to its price sooner or later.”

Here, then, is Cycle World's NoGuarantees-To-Greatness Guide To Blue-Chip Motorcycles.

BROUGH SUPERIOR SS100:

Known in its day as “The Rolls-Royce among motorcycles,” examples of this 998cc, V-Twin beauty have been known to sell for more than $50,000. George Brough, who built motorcycles from 1921 to 1940, spared no expense in their construction and that attitude toward the value of these motorcycles has lived on.

VINCENT BLACK SHADOW:

Really, any Vincent (1928-1956) V-Twin is highly collectible, but the legendary Black Shadow may be the most collectible of all, with examples currently selling for $25,000. Lamented one old-bike expert, “Just a few years ago you could buy all you wanted for a couple of grand each.” They’re still available, but these days you may have to mortgage your house to get one.

NORTON MANX:

This all-out racebike, named for the Isle of Man TT where it achieved much glory, was built from 1946 through 1961 in both 350 and 500cc forms, and today a pristine version with a verifiable set of engine and frame numbers and a traceable race history sells for about $25,000. Not for beginners, not if you actually expect to start the thing and run it.

AJS 7R/MATCHLESS G50:

Sort of two bikes in one, the AJS 7R, built from 1948 through 1963 and known as the “Boy Racer,” was a 350cc version of the overhead-cam, 500cc Matchless G50 Single, built from 1953 to 1963 and the machine which still rules vintage roadracing here and in England. Like its archrival the Manx Norton, these bikes also sell for approximately $25,000, providing their frame and engine numbers can be verified as authentic.

BSA GOLD STAR:

Built from 1938 through 1963, these much-cursed-at, but much-beloved production bikes, with their single-cylinder, 350 or 500cc pushrod engines, must be the most-raced motorcycles of all time, in roadrace, scrambles and flat-track forms. Available dirt-cheap just a few years ago, most “Goldies” have been snapped up and now sell for up to $10,000.

Investing in precious metal

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, 1970 AND EARLIER:

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, 1970 AND EARLIER:A classic and you can still get one for a couple thousand bucks. But to make the most of your investment, and to get the best bike, it’s important to look for the early versions that carry their oil in a remote tank under the seat, not in their frame tubing. One thing especially nice about these is that parts are widely available and they’re stone-simple to work on.

MOTO GUZZI LEMANS MK. I:

MOTO GUZZI LEMANS MK. I:Never mind their rough edges; the raucous, visceral feel of these bikes, plus the fact that they can be had for less than $2000, make them a good bet, our experts told us. We're instructed to expect these Series I bikes, built from 1974 through 1978, to appreciate just as Ferraris have appreciated. We’re skeptical about that, but we’re not stupid. We’re looking for a few good Moto Guzzi LeMans Mk. Is.

BSA/TRIUMPH TRIPLES:

BSA/TRIUMPH TRIPLES:Built during the last gasp of the British motorcycle industry as it felt the hot breath of the Japanese bike makers on its proper old neck, these 750cc Triples are thirsty and maintenance-intensive. But they’re equipped with one of this world’s most-wonderful exhaust notes. These bikes shared designers and thus were different only in detail. They were built from 1968 through 1976 and rough versions now change hands for as little as $800.

NORTON COMMANDO:

NORTON COMMANDO:This vertical-Twin hot rod built from 1967 through 1980 is probably as charismatic a motorcycle as ever has been built. Available now for less than $3000 with engines of 750 or 850cc, these came in several flavors, including the Fastback and the Interstate. If it was our money, we’d spring for an 850 Interstate, make sure the rubber engine-mounting bushings were properly adjusted, then spend our time alternately riding it and waxing it.

BMW R60 AND R60/2:

BMW R60 AND R60/2:This one is a contender, experts tell us, partly because of BMW’s legendary quality, but mostly because it eschewed telescopic forks and used instead the quirky, leading-link Earles forks. Pristine, restored examples of this Boxer-engined bike, built from 1956 through 1969, can sell for $5000 and up, but less-perfect ones can be had for considerably less.