Two superbly restored early 1970s Honda Mini Bikes will be the small sensations of Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction on Monday June 2.
The bikes – a 1971 Honda SL70 KO and a 1973 Honda XR75 KO – have both been rebuilt by the same vendor to an exceptionally high standard that would make them the centerpiece of any motorcycle collection.
Although Mini Bikes had been around for years by the time Honda introduced the SL70 in 1971, it was the first of its type to resemble a real motorcycle, with a proper tube frame and four-speed gearbox.
Available in just three colours – Summer Yellow, Aquarius Blue and Light Ruby Red, with black or white stripes on the tank – the SL70 was fitted with a 72cc OHC single-cylinder engine and four-speed manual gearbox. A speedometer was optional.
Powered by the same engine and transmission, the XR75 KO Introduced in 1973 was similarly the most popular Mini Bike of its era, but was offered in just one colour – Rubber Grey Metallic with red stripes.
With impressive off-road abilities, both Hondas were the ideal way to teach young kids motorcycling skills and many dirt riders began their careers on these machines. However given their hard lives, few of these Honda Mini Bikes survive today and good examples have already become highly sought after by collectors.
Both bikes offered by Shannons were completely dismantled and restored using genuine Hondas parts where possible. Even the tank badges are (expensive) three-dimensional metal reproductions rather than flat plastic stickers to keep the bikes as close to the original as possible.
Since their restoration was completed, neither bike has been ridden other than for testing purposes and they are effectively back in showroom condition.
Shannons expects the 1971 Honda to sell for $3,000-$6,000 and the XR75 to sell for $4,000-$7,000.
Two interesting classic motorcycles are also going under the hammer at the June 2 Shannons auction.
One is a 1938 Rudge ‘Special’ Motorcycle with Dusting Sidecar that was originally purchased as a solo motorcycle by the current owner some 30 years ago in near complete condition.
The bike was restored to a very high standard over a 10-year period and was back on the road by 2004, fitted with a locally made replica Dustings sidecar. It has since been used regularly on Vintage Motorcycle Club of Victoria outings. Shannons expect it to sell in the $18-$24,000 range.
The 1944 Indian Scout motorcycle being auctioned is an older restoration that has been converted to 12-volt electrics and now features an enlarged 600cc V-twin engine. Shannons estimate it will sell in the $16-$20,000 range. www.shannons.com.au