Three incredible motorcycles you can’t ignore at Bonhams’ Las Vegas sale

We have well and truly fallen down the rabbit hole, into the boiling pot of pre-war and competition machines, an exhaustive list comprising more than 100 motorcycles, alongside assorted memorabilia.

Among the exclusive bikes are a 1941 Indian Big Base Scout Factory Racing Prototype and a pair of twin-cylinder board track racers – a 1916 Harley-Davidson and 1916 Excelsior. From the other side of the pond come two incredibly rare twin-cylinder Newcastle-upon-Tyne (NUT) examples dating from 1913 and 1925, and a beautiful 1938 AJS Model 2. And it wouldn’t be a Bonham’s auction without a Vincent or two, and this year the iconic British brand will be represented by a 1948 Rapide and a 1949 Black Shadow C.

From the more modern end of the motorcycling spectrum, meanwhile, is a zero-mile, still-crated 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE, billed to sell for less than £25,000. Talk about a bargain?

But while we wish we could take them all home, we’ve narrowed it down to our three favourites – the weird, the wonderful and the absolute want.

The weird: 1980 Kawasaki 1,015cc Mystery Ship

It’s in the name, but why anyone ever thought this would be a good idea is a mystery to us. Created by American designer Craig Vetter, this is one of only 10 such Mystery Ships ever built and one of just two built with turbocharged engines.

Better known for his 1970s Windjammer fibreglass touring fairings, for which he earned a place in the AMA Hall of Fame, Vetter was in fact an accomplished motorcycle designer, with a handful of innovative machines to his name, including the Triumph X-75 Hurricane cruiser and this, the 1980 Kawasaki Mystery Ship, which was based on a KZ1000 from that same year.

The all-encompassing bodywork was a progenitor to the sportsbike fairing, while a superbike-level reinforced frame set the bike’s tone. It retailed from $9,995 – about three times the price of a KZ1000.

This example, bike number six, is perhaps the most unique and collectible, for its high level of specification. Negating the lower four levels of Yoshimura R&D engine tune, the original owner opted for the $1,700 RC Engineering turbocharger, which increased horsepower by 40 per cent. Finished in Dino Red, and featuring spun-aluminium wheels, the eye-catching model has just two miles on the odometer.

Of course, with just only 3,200 metres ridden in 40 years it’ll need a little fettling to get it running, but if you can afford the time to do so, plus the £19,000 to £27,000 estimated price, you’ll be rewarded with a truly unique early sportsbike.

The wonderful: 1918 Harley-Davidson Twin Model J

This was a tough one. Contending against that zero-mile 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE, it was this 1918 Harley-Davidson Twin Model J that has caught our imagination, despite having very little in the way of history with it.

At 102-years-old, the fully-functioning, unrestored machine has to be one of the finest in existence. While it certainly shows signs of its age – with an incomplete battery box, and replacement kick starter pedal and ignition – the majority of the motorcycle is in a remarkable condition, with the original factory paint, and H-D decal on the steering head. The headlamp, taillight, horn, luggage rack and stamped leather saddle are also all the real deal.

Arriving less than a decade after Harley-Davidson’s debut V-Twin, the Model 18 featured an air-cooled, 45-degree, 989cc Vee, which made about 15 horsepower at 3,200rpm.

The base model featured cast iron pistons, a three-speed gearbox and just a rear brake.

Meanwhile, the top-of-the-range Model J boasted a generator (rather than magneto) ignition (which was often troublesome and was later replaced on this model), and the optional 'Special Motors' denotation, which included lightweight aluminium pistons for more power and reliability, plus a number of other improvements.

Our mystery machine also features the following original factory options: a Stewart 75mph speedometer and drive gear, tank-mounted toolbox and frame-mounted tyre pump.

While the seller has never tried to start it, the Model J, which is estimated to sell for between £61,000 and £69,000, reportedly ‘responds with proper compression’ when kicked.

Absolute want: 1940 Crocker Big Tank V-Twin

Now, if you date from the latter half of the 20^th century, you may be wondering what a Crocker is, and what exactly this motorcycle has done to command such a price. While it has been almost 80 years since the last V-twin roadster left Al Crocker's factory on Venice Blvd., East LA, the name has only grown among classic American enthusiasts. And such is the brand devotion that of the 100 highest selling motorcycles sold at auction in recent years, Crockers feature frequently with 15 bikes on the list.
This example is one of fewer than 30 Big Tanks built, and as such is destined to fetch a high price. But what makes it even more unique is its incredible history, which encompasses everything from time in a scrapyard during to a full engine and transmission overhaul by Mike Lange.

When it was built, the Big Tank V-Twin was reportedly the largest capacity motorcycle in existence, and put out a then-unheard-of 60bhp. This model was originally owned by Crocker employee and skilled machinist Elmo Looper, who inherited the remaining parts inventory after Crocker himself lost interest following factory requisitioning during the war. A member of the 13 Rebels Motorcycle Club, Looper rode and raced his own Crocker, while also fixing and fettling those belonging to others in the SoCal circle.

When a more lucrative career in printing presses called, he sold the Big Tank V-Twin to a relatively new rider, who promptly crashed it in the rain, and sold it on to the L.A. salvage yard Jungle Jim's.

After passing through various hands, in 2004 the bike found itself in Maryland, where its current owner began a rebuild that would continue until last year, implementing only the most authentic of parts. And now, 200-miles later, it’s time for this exquisite machine to find a new home, for an estimated £350,000 to £420,000…