TWO-WHEELED TREASURES: Impressive Motorcycles on Offer from the Larry Winkler Collection
March 1, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens
Wall of Harleys on display in the Larry Winkler Collection. Nearly 50 motorcycles will be selling as part of the collection at the 2021 Scottsdale Auction, all with No Reserve.
Among the many highlights of Barrett-Jackson’s upcoming 2021 Scottsdale Auction is the Larry Winkler Collection’s thrilling offering of some 35 collector cars, 49 motorcycles and more than 400 pieces of highly collectible automobilia – all to be sold with No Reserve. Here is a sampling of the motorcycles headed across the Scottsdale auction block on Tuesday, March 23; each of them fascinating in visual and engineering terms and extremely collectible to boot.
LOT #182 – 1947 HARLEY-DAVIDSON KNUCKLEHEAD MOTORCYCLE
Launched in 1936, the stylish new “EL” model heralded Harley-Davidson’s new 1,000cc (61ci) and became commonly known as the “Knucklehead,” thanks to the appearance of its new OHV cylinder heads. Featuring advanced engineering, great looks, four forward speeds, and the ability to top 100 miles per hour, it set new standards for Harley-Davidson. Records soon fell to the Knucklehead, including Joe Petrali’s new 136-mph world land speed mark in 1937. An instant success that remained in production for 12 years, the Knucklehead is considered the first modern Harley-Davidson and, more than 80 years later, it remains one of America’s most beloved “Big Twin” motorcycles. This late-production 1947 model from the Larry Winkler Collection is a prime example in Burgundy paint contrasted by a black saddle and complemented by classic spoked wire wheels and period-style whitewall tires. An awesome American classic bike, it conjures rich images of freedom and solitude on the open road.
LOT #183 – 1954 HARLEY-DAVIDSON PANHEAD MOTORCYCLE
As before with the celebrated Knucklehead, Harley’s Panhead successor debuted in 1948, again nicknamed after the shape of its cylinder heads. Two displacements were offered, 1,000cc (61ci) and 1,212cc (74ci). Additional Panhead features included lightweight aluminum cylinder heads and internal oil passages. Another Harley-Davidson mainstay, the Panhead was produced until the advent of the Shovelhead in 1965. High-profile movie use cemented the Panhead’s legend, especially Peter Fonda’s “Captain America” chopper and Dennis Hopper’s “Billy Bike” in 1969’s iconic “Easy Rider.” Marking Harley-Davidson’s Golden Anniversary year, this 1954 Panhead is the product of a cost-no-object restoration. The 1954 model year is also important in Harley-Davidson history for numerous engineering advancements and the new Hydra-Glide model name, inspired by new telescopic hydraulic front forks. Finished in yellow with a black seat and 1950s-style whitewall tires wrapped around wire wheels, this Panhead proudly displays an anniversary badge on the front-fender tip and mounts a factory chrome carrying rack at the rear.
LOT #179 – 1913 INDIAN TWIN MOTORCYCLE
Established by George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom in 1899, the Hendee Manufacturing Company’s Indian motorcycle brand grew out of the bicycle-racing craze of the 1890s and quickly earned a reputation for innovation and speed. Progress was swift, and after the first Indian motorcycle was built in 1901, work soon began on their first V-Twins displacing 38.61ci (633cc) and 60ci (988cc) that appeared in 1907. Reliable and featuring a sophisticated 2-speed chain drive, Indians scored a stunning 1-2-3 podium sweep at the 1913 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. One of Indian’s best years came in 1913, with the new Cradle Spring Frame design taming bumpy roads with a single leaf spring up front and two at the rear, plus an early rear swing-arm. Victories on the popular board tracks of the era were many. Unrestored and meticulously reassembled, this 1913 Indian Twin was reportedly found in a shed with pieces stored in milk cartons. Featuring Indian’s 64ci V-Twin engine and chain-drive transmission, it retains “Ford Service” livery suggestive of its early usage, along with a toolbox atop the gas tank. Featuring rich and irreplaceable patina, it marks Indian’s glory years.
LOT #174 – 2006 MV AGUSTA MOTORCYCLE
Established in February 1945, MV Agusta quickly earned a reputation for quality and performance and scored a long succession of victories at top venues over the ensuing years. Growing numbers of Japanese export bikes during the 1960s-70s only spurred MV Agusta’s continued drive for excellence and it unleashed the F4 in 1997, designed by famed engineer Massimo Tamburini and produced until 2018. This 2006 example from the Larry Winkler Collection is an F4 1000S, powered by a 998cc inline-4 engine with hemispherical 4-valve cylinder heads producing 166 horsepower at a screaming 12,000 rpm, in concert with a 6-speed manual gearbox, propelling this red and silver rocket through the quarter-mile in just 11.4 seconds with a 187-mph top speed.
LOT #175 – 1995 DUCATI 916 BIPOSTO MOTORCYCLE
Established in 1926, Ducati helped motorize postwar Italy with its Cucciolo T1 bicycle engine, and by 1950 the company’s first Touring and Sport motorcycles debuted. Technical innovation set Ducati apart from competitors and its competition success is legendary, including four straight TT Formula 2 wins from 1981 to 1984. In 1990, the Ducati legend was solidified with the first of 16 World Superbike Championships, making Ducati’s race-inspired road models the object of two-wheeled desire for legions of superbike buyers. One of the most coveted modern Ducati superbikes is the 916, designed by Massimo Taburini, Sergio Robbiano and designers at the Cagiva Research Centre in San Marino, Italy. Power is delivered to lightweight 3-spoke wheels by a 916cc, 4-stroke V-Twin engine developing 114 horsepower mated to a 6-speed gearbox, yielding a blistering 162-mph top end. Supporting features include a Brembo brake system, including dual front discs and a single rear disc, a 43-mm adjustable Showa upside-down fork and adjustable mono-shock rear suspension with progressive linkage. A sleek full fairing features dual headlights and a wind-cheating, low-profile windscreen.
While there are so many more great offerings from the Larry Winkler Collection, these landmark motorcycles are just a few two-wheeled teasers to give you a taste of the depth and breadth of this fabulous collection. From American pioneers to European two-wheeled icons and Japanese game-changers, they collectively form an unforgettable virtual trip throughout the rich history of motorcycling.
If you’re not bidding in the auction arena, be sure to watch via the live stream on Barrett-Jackson.com Tuesday, March 23, when this collection of motorcycles crosses the auction block in Scottsdale! In the meantime, check out the gallery below to see what’s in store:
Lot #134 – 1954 CUSHMAN PACEMAKER SCOOTER
Lot #135 – 1972 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MC-65 SHORTSTER MINICYCLE
Lot #136 – 1958 MAICO BLIZZARD MOTORCYCLE
Lot #137 – 1958 ALLSTATE SCOOTER
Lot #138 – 1953 SIMPLEX SERVI-CYCLE MOTORCYCLE
Lot #139 – 1957 CUSHMAN EAGLE TRUCKSTER
Lot #140 – 1958 CUSHMAN PACEMAKER SCOOTER
Lot #141 – 1964 CUSHMAN SILVER EAGLE SCOOTER
Lot #142 – 1964 ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET 350 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #143 – 1960 CEZETA 501 SCOOTER
Lot #144 – 1962 JAMES SUPERSWIFT 250 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #145 – 1967 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SS 350 SPRINT MOTORCYCLE
Lot #146 – 1975 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH MOTORCYCLE
Lot #147 – 1912 INDIAN CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #148 – 1970 BSA 441 VICTOR SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE
Lot #149 – 1957 CUSHMAN PACEMAKER SCOOTER
Lot #150 – 1971 RICKMAN TRIUMPH METISSE MOTORCYCLE
Lot #151 – 1959 CUSHMAN EAGLE SCOOTER
Lot #152 – 1973 HONDA CB750 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #153 – 1968 BSA 650 A65 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE
Lot #155 – 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE
Lot #156 – 1973 ROKON TRAIL-BREAKER MK4 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #157 – 1976 TRIUMPH 750 BONNEVILLE MOTORCYCLE
Lot #158 – 1952 ADLER M200 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #159 – 1990 MOTO GUZZI MILLE 1000 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #160 – 1957 CUSHMAN GOLF CART
Lot #161 – 1973 NORTON COMMANDO 750 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #162 – 1974 BMW R90S CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #163 – 1976 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #164 – 2003 DINO PRO STREET CUSTOM CHOPPER
Lot #165 – 1990 BMW K1 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #166 – 1978 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLCR CAFE RACER
Lot #167 – 1968 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLH ELECTRA GLIDE SHOVELHEAD MOTORCYCLE
Lot #168 – 2004 CUSTOM CHOPPER
Lot #169 – 1979 HONDA CBX MOTORCYCLE
Lot #170 – 2004 HONDA VALKYRIE RUNE MOTORCYCLE
Lot #171 – 1959 HARLEY-DAVIDSON PANHEAD MOTORCYCLE
Lot #172 – 1955 ARIEL SQUARE FOUR MK II MOTORCYCLE
Lot #173 – 2000 BOSS HOSS MOTORCYCLE
Lot #174 – 2006 MV AGUSTA MOTORCYCLE
Lot #175 – 1995 DUCATI 916 BIPOSTO MOTORCYCLE
Lot #176 – 2002 LIBERATOR CUSTOM CHOPPER
Lot #177 – 1979 FLATHEAD V8 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #178 – 1962 HARLEY-DAVIDSON PANHEAD CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #179 – 1913 INDIAN TWIN MOTORCYCLE
Lot #180 – 1951 INDIAN CHIEF CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Lot #181 – 1934 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RL 45 MOTORCYCLE
Lot #182 – 1947 HARLEY-DAVIDSON KNUCKLEHEAD MOTORCYCLE
Lot #183 – 1954 HARLEY-DAVIDSON PANHEAD MOTORCYCLE