Author Topic: Motorcycle Auction "Bettencourt Collection" Bridgewater MA, this Saturday. (Read 9192 times)

Terry in Australia · « **on:** November 16, 2009, 02:55:14 PM »

Geez, there are 220 bikes on auction with no reserve, including a heap of Honda's. I spotted 3 "mint" CB750's, a CB500 and many more. I personally would like the Laverda SF1 750 like mine with only 200 (yep, two hundred) miles on the odometer, but I reckon that will go for mega bucks!

If any of you guys live in the area I reckon you'd be mad not to go take a look! Cheers, Terry.

http://www.jwoodandcompany.com/2009/bettencourt_collection/Bettencourt.htm

azuredesign · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2009, 03:17:53 PM »

I'm pretty sure a group of us local SOHC guys are heading over there. It'll be fun to see what sells for what, and who knows, I just might be able to squeeze another bike into my garage.

kslrr · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2009, 04:06:42 PM »

Wow, I wouldn't mind one of those Yamaha RD's and one of the CBX's

mick750F · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2009, 03:02:03 AM »

Terry if you need a proxy bidder for the Laverda let me know.

Mike

MRieck · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2009, 08:28:06 AM »

Quote from: azuredesign on November 16, 2009, 03:17:53 PM

I'm pretty sure a group of us local SOHC guys are heading over there. It'll be fun to see what sells for what, and who knows, I just might be able to squeeze another bike into my garage.

Ben...I'll attend that with you. There is a 75F on that list....who knows?

bwaller · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2009, 09:35:26 AM »

I suppose this is the late John Bettencourts family business?

azuredesign · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2009, 09:51:38 AM »

Quote from: MRieck on November 17, 2009, 08:28:06 AM

Quote from: azuredesign on November 16, 2009, 03:17:53 PM
I'm pretty sure a group of us local SOHC guys are heading over there. It'll be fun to see what sells for what, and who knows, I just might be able to squeeze another bike into my garage.
Ben...I'll attend that with you. There is a 75F on that list....who knows?

Great Mike, Let's go from my place. I'd be into going early as the preview starts at 8am.
Let me know what works for you.

azuredesign · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2009, 09:57:22 AM »

Quote from: bwaller on November 17, 2009, 09:35:26 AM

I suppose this is the late John Bettencourts family business?

Yes, from what I understand John's brother David has cancer, and the auction is a byproduct of that problem.

simon#42 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2009, 10:04:56 AM »

thank god that lot is on the other side of the world ! , that rickman looks nice there was also a norton and a cz scrambler that i could probably have found room for

Alan F. · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2009, 10:05:35 AM »

I'm not sure if I'll be riding down but I've got a few local sohc4'ers and a few racers I know that'll be attending.
Should be a good time.
-Alan

chips1953 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2009, 10:28:45 AM »

Amazing......
I spotted a Wankel engined DKW, I've only ever seen one of those before, and that was new. Some ways I'm glad it's not in this country, save a stack of cash.
Have fun!

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2009, 01:35:12 PM »

Quote from: 736cc on November 17, 2009, 10:58:34 AM

I know for a fact the REALLY good stuff has been cherry-picked for a couple of years now, including a once in a lifetime bike thats so far off the charts collectable-wise, and bought for the proverbial song. We can all stop looking for the holy grail, somebody stepped in it and didn't even know it at the time, thought it was just an old basketcase cb750 in Bettencourts barn. How collectable? I don't think there's even a category for this one, its so far outa left field, totally defies precedent.

What's the latest news with that bike? Is it getting worked on at all?

j-conn · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2009, 01:50:12 PM »

why is that one so holy??? (other than its sandcast)
enlighten me

btw what is so special about the sandcast too...
is there anything more than it being the earliest 750s?

andy750 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2009, 02:04:32 PM »

Quote from: azuredesign on November 17, 2009, 09:51:38 AM

Quote from: MRieck on November 17, 2009, 08:28:06 AM
Quote from: azuredesign on November 16, 2009, 03:17:53 PM
I'm pretty sure a group of us local SOHC guys are heading over there. It'll be fun to see what sells for what, and who knows, I just might be able to squeeze another bike into my garage.
Ben...I'll attend that with you. There is a 75F on that list....who knows?
Great Mike, Let's go from my place. I'd be into going early as the preview starts at 8am.
Let me know what works for you.

]

Ben count me in

. Let me know time of departure.

cheers
Andy

azuredesign · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2009, 02:17:22 PM »

That'll be good Andy. I'll ask Martha if we can take her car as it'll be much more roomy than mine.
I'd say if we left here at 8:30, we'd get there at 9:15, and have an hour to check out the things that are most interesting. If you want to look at everything, we can go earlier, as long as Mike can hoof it over in time.

andy750 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2009, 02:27:39 PM »

Ok but I might ride if its going to be good weather. Ill let you know Friday, forecast pending....

cheers
Andy

azuredesign · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2009, 03:00:37 PM »

I'd be into riding too, if it's not raining, but I don't know about Mike.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2009, 04:30:32 PM »

Quote from: mick750F on November 17, 2009, 03:02:03 AM

Terry if you need a proxy bidder for the Laverda let me know.

Mike

Hey thanks Mike, I'd love to buy it, but I was first alerted to it's existence by some very interested Laverda folk on another site, so there'll be some competition I reckon, ha ha!

The last few that I've seen have gone for well over $10K (although there's a very interesting 1970 Laverda "American Eagle" 750 on EBay presently for around 3500, a bargain, I'd think) so a virtually new SF1 may go for as much as 15-20K. If you do go, let me know what it goes for? Cheers, Terry.

Quote from: j-conn on November 17, 2009, 01:50:12 PM

why is that one so holy??? (other than its sandcast)
enlighten me

btw what is so special about the sandcast too...
is there anything more than it being the earliest 750s?

I can't see the pic (Bloody defence firewall!) but I presume it's a pic that Andy previously posted in a thread he started about a friend of his who bought one of the factory prototypes for the CB750.

It's not just "rare", it's virtually a "one off" (although I believe a couple were built) that no-one knew still existed. Not too many interchangeable parts though, so unless Honda can help, it'll probably never be a going concern again soon.

Apart from this prototype, the limited production early "Sandcast" CB750K0's are the most collectable, hence the most valuable. Cheers, Terry.

754 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2009, 06:47:08 PM »

That bike is rare and the only one.. but realistically, I would be surpised to see it bring over 200 K, if that..

In time it will be more valuable..

But I would not put it in the class of a Cyclone boardtracker or even a Rolly Free bike..or the Monro streamliner...... as far as desireability goes.

I was a bit unhappy that a collection that size, had no early iron.

IF you guys really want to see the stuff, go earlier to preview if possible.. trying to see even a 1/4 of 200 bikes through a crowd will be a very frustrating experience..

chips1953 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:25:19 AM »

I was a bit unhappy that a collection that size, had no early iron.
754

This lot was a barn find in NZ I believe.
http://www.webbs.co.nz/auction/important-and-vintage-motorcycles

74cb750 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2009, 09:14:12 AM »

The NZ auction is nice if you like really old bikes.
Only one I would be interested in is the Triumph X75,
as I am not enamoured w anything older than 1960.
peace,
michel

754 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2009, 10:07:19 AM »

Yup, its different strokes for different folks..

In the Bettencourt auction, I found little that interested me, a few bicycles, the early Z 50s were sorta cool, and maybe an early 350 & the Laverda........ that is what I saw off the list, did not view the pics.

I love the sohc 750s, love riding them, but ones newer than that, I just dont find interesting..

but early iron, I can look at that for weeks on end..

Alan F. · « **Reply #22 on:** November 21, 2009, 02:36:13 PM »

There was a ton of old iron there, it was a warm day almost 60* and the turnout was HUGE. It was hard to see the bikes inside, but the bikes outside were pretty interesting too. We had a pretty good turnout of SOHC4 members, I counted 6 or 7. SamCB750A's American tour is in town and I was able to finally meet the man himself. A couple rocker types from www.rockersct.com were REALLY enjoying meeting him too.
Andy750 and I even met Doug Wothke of ADVrider fame who is in the area doing his usual thing and being cool as ever.
All in all a pretty decent day.
-Alan

andy750 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 21, 2009, 04:32:24 PM »

Very interesting day....started off very well when we met RTWDoug - from ADVrider forum who this summer went RTW on his panhead (and previous RTW on his 48 Indian - more here - http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462017&highlight=africa+twin) - really nice guy and was with a couple of friends from Alabama and his Bulgarian g/f.

Here are some of the bikes...

The red K1 went for $8500....1100 miles on the clock...

The Laverda went for $12,500....sorry for the bad pic...

The Rickmann for ~$9000

The CB400s were in demand - this one for $2600

And some other bikes...

$1700 for the 78...

$2100 for the 75...

Other bikes....

and outside on the street a nice Ducati...

And as we were leaving Sam and Mike R turned up.....what a day! Will catch up with those 2 tomorrow

cheers
Andy

754 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 21, 2009, 09:36:31 PM »

Cool pics..
love that red Triumph period chopper, should lightly restore that one..

the touring Sporty is nice..

That dash on the Columbia bicycle is probably worth 700 - 1000 bux..

Zaipai · « **Reply #25 on:** November 21, 2009, 10:25:51 PM »

Nice account of the day.. In a way I am glad I did not go, I would have mortgaged the house to get that one K1! ;-)

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #26 on:** November 21, 2009, 11:02:13 PM »

Thanks for that Andy, geez there were some bargains there! I would have expected all of those bikes to go for up to 50% more, and $1700 for that F3 was a bloody steal! And even at $12,500 that Laverda with only 200 miles just shows how badly the recession has hit US buyers, that bike would have gone for $20K a year or two ago! Cheers, Terry.

Hush · « **Reply #27 on:** November 21, 2009, 11:29:45 PM »

Did I see at least 2 rotary Suzukis?

74cb750 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2009, 05:45:00 AM »

Was that an Ossa 250 Super Pioneer?
My brother had a few Ossa s, and IF I had the $ I would have bought it for him. $:-\$
Nice pics, thanks.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #29 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:44:17 AM »

Quote from: Alan F. on November 21, 2009, 02:36:13 PM

There was a ton of old iron there, it was a warm day almost 60* and the turnout was HUGE. It was hard to see the bikes inside, but the bikes outside were pretty interesting too. We had a pretty good turnout of SOHC4 members, I counted 6 or 7. SamCB750A's American tour is in town and I was able to finally meet the man himself. A couple rocker types from www.rockersct.com were REALLY enjoying meeting him too.
Andy750 and I even met Doug Wothke of ADVrider fame who is in the area doing his usual thing and being cool as ever.
All in all a pretty decent day.
-Alan

Hi Alan, I wish Mike had been a bit more specific when he introduced me to you, I was introduced to that many people with just first names, had he said Alan F, I would have realised who you were.
I guess we'll meet again before I depart, have a good day.

Sam.

754 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 22, 2009, 09:04:49 AM »

Terry that Laverda probably will sell for 16 K or better in the next 6 months..

Not everyone can attend, or see the bike in person.Later on when more folks know of the bike, there is a growing list of folks that want to own it..

If the dealers are buying, they are selling under market value..

Another thing at an auction, sometimes you bid softer on certain items, because what you came for has not yet been sold and you dont want to miss it.

Alan F. · « **Reply #31 on:** November 23, 2009, 06:39:54 PM »

Quote from: SamCB750A on November 22, 2009, 06:44:17 AM

Hi Alan, I wish Mike had been a bit more specific when he introduced me to you, I was introduced to that many people with just first names, had he said Alan F, I would have realised who you were.
I guess we'll meet again before I depart, have a good day.

Sam.

Well thank you, I don't quite know what to say.

I hope we'll meet again soon too, next saturday possibly?
-Alan F.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #32 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:35:17 AM »

Quote from: 754 on November 22, 2009, 09:04:49 AM

Terry that Laverda probably will sell for 16 K or better in the next 6 months..

Geez I hope so Frank, I've just put my Laverda SF1 on EBay, and while it's done a lot more miles that that green one it's very tight, and I want to buy the TTS Supercharger kit for my R3, so I'm hoping for some big bux! Cheers, Terry.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #33 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:43:23 AM »

The never ending search for power

...ain't you a bit old for all that

Sam.

ColinMc · « **Reply #34 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:17:39 AM »

Sorry I missed the auction...garr...had to paint the front nose of a customers car. I figured I could either make a few hundred dollars over the weekend, or spend well over a few hundred if I went to the auction lol.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #35 on:** November 24, 2009, 12:34:29 PM »

Quote from: ColinMc on November 24, 2009, 06:17:39 AM

Sorry I missed the auction...garr...had to paint the front nose of a customers car. I figured I could either make a few hundred dollars over the weekend, or spend well over a few hundred if I went to the auction lol.

If it was me, I'd go to the auction and spend the customers money in advance, then run back to your shop and earn it, ha ha! (which is why I don't have any money, but lots of bikes.........)

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #36 on:** November 24, 2009, 12:41:04 PM »

Quote from: SamCB750A on November 24, 2009, 04:43:23 AM

The never ending search for power ...ain't you a bit old for all that

Sam.

Ha ha, no Sammy, I've already explained it to the wife, the new Rocket III, being such a big heavy bike, is a little slow to accellerate, (you know, like a Harley) so for SAFETY sake, I need that Supercharger for safer overtaking, you can never be too safe Sammy, and I've just discovered that with the TTS blower, some cams from Nev in South Australia, a Power Commander III, Tuneboy, and a K&N filter I can expect around 300 BHP at the back wheel with around 200 ft lbs of torque, so my Rocket should be really, really, er, SAFE!

ColinMc · « **Reply #37 on:** November 24, 2009, 12:45:05 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on November 24, 2009, 12:34:29 PM

If it was me, I'd go to the auction and spend the customers money in advance, then run back to your shop and earn it, ha ha! (which is why I don't have any money, but lots of bikes.........)

Lol i'm already in that boat with ya...hence the VERY hard decision I made not to go lol.

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Author Topic: Motorcycle Auction "Bettencourt Collection" Bridgewater MA, this Saturday. (Read 9192 times)