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LOT 314 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection 1929 Brough Superior 995cc SS100 Pendine Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 972 Engine no. JTOR/C 13704/T (restamped) Gearbox no. HW111010B to body and A3599 to cover

Estimate: £120,000 - £160,000
Lot 314*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, 1929 Brough Superior 995cc SS100 Pendine Racing Motorcycle

How to bid

The Connoisseurs Collection
1929 Brough Superior 995cc SS100 Pendine Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 972
Engine no. JTOR/C 13704/T (restamped) Gearbox no. HW111010B to body and A3599 to cover

• Delivered new to Australia
• An older restoration
• Has copy Works Record Card
• Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity

Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', Brough Superior – 'The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' - was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior. Always the perfectionist, Brough bought only the best available components for his bikes, reasoning that if the product was right, a lofty price tag would be no handicap. And in the 'Roaring Twenties' there were sufficient wealthy connoisseurs around to prove him right.

Introduced in 1922, the JAP-powered SS80 achieved instant fame when a racing version ridden by George became the first sidevalve-engined machine to lap Brooklands at over 100mph. With the new SS80's performance threatening to put the overhead-valve MkI in the shade, it was decided to completely redesign the latter. The result was the legendary SS100. First shown to the public in 1924, the SS100 employed an entirely new overhead-valve 980cc JAP v-twin engine. A frame of duplex cradle type was devised for the newcomer, which soon after its launch became available with the distinctive, Harley-Davidson-influenced, Castle front fork patented by George Brough and Harold 'Oily' Karslake. And just in case prospective customers had any doubts about the SS100's performance, each machine came with a written guarantee that it had been timed at over 100mph for a quarter of a mile - a staggering achievement at a time when very few road vehicles of any sort were capable of reaching three-figure speeds.

For the racing man - or woman - there was the Pendine version of the SS100, named after the eponymous sands in Wales where Brough Superior motorcycles had won numerous races in the mid-1920s. New to the range for 1927, the Pendine was powered by the JAP KTOR 8/45hp engine, a four-cam racing unit with bevel-drive magneto, and incorporated numerous other modifications to make it more suitable for competition purposes. Every Pendine came with a guaranteed top speed of 110mph.

A magnificent looking machine with its straight-through exhaust pipes, this Pendine was supplied new to Whiteley in Melbourne, Australia on 28th February 1929 and used for dirt track racing. Chris J Harley (of South Australia) restored the Brough in the 1970s/1980s, using new crankcases we believe. By 1988 the machine was in the ownership of a Mr K Williams of Queensland before being sold at auction in September 1994 to the current owner in Japan. Notable features include a BTH TT magneto and a Corbin 6000rpm rev counter. Bonhams sold this Pendine's original engine as part of Lot 265 at Stafford in October 2017. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.
Key not required

Footnotes

Please note that this Lot is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, Shippio Ltd, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements.
If this Lot is to stay in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the standard rate of 5% on the hammer price. This Lot will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact Bonhams' Motorcycles Department [email protected] +44 (0) 20 8963 2817.


All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Spring Stafford Sale

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 27 April, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.

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Auction Viewings

  • 26 April 2025, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 27 April 2025, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

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*Import low rate
VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
NNOVA declaration
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

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