Thumping good times ahead

Few sounds will do more to get a British motorcycle enthusiast’s heart thumping than the hearty throb of a BSA single.

And that’s the delight awaiting the next owner of a 1965 BSA B40 Star 350 (guide £2,500-£3,000) in the catalogue for our sale on March 21^st at Henstridge Airfield, midway between Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

The BSA was originally purchased by the Home Office, the pannier rack it still wears along with its “official” green paint that’s still in good condition pointing to its use by messengers. Its old MoT certificates suggest it was in private hands by the 1980s before the vendor’s late husband acquired it 10 years ago. With a light recommissioning the 350 cc single should burst into life to give its new owner some thumping good summer rides out.

Transporting its next owner even further back in time will be the 1955 James Cadet 150 cc (£600-£700) which, like many 64 year olds, will be looking forward to some genteel excursions on the promised summer days ahead.

More spectacular will be the performance of the 1976 Kawasaki Z750 Twin (£1,500-£2,500), a bike with a growing following among the many enthusiasts for big twin cylinder engines, but rather less Easy Rider for speed if not simplicity of control is the 1978 Honda 50 moped (no reserve), a machine that helped begin the steady march of Japanese bikes into the British motorcycling psyche in the early 60s. This Honda is a probably a non-runner but could make an interesting and not-too-heavy project for an enthusiast.

A more exhilarating ride will be delivered by the 1979 Honda XL 185 (£600-£1,200), a dual sport machine which looks all set to hit the trail again this summer to add to its 10,000 recorded miles.

The sale marks the return of our auctions to Henstridge, where a new clubhouse promises excellent facilities. Access is easy and keen bidders can even fly in to secure their dreams!