Rare Radial-Engined Megola Motorcycle to Be Auctioned

Following the recent success registered in Las Vegas, Bonhams is getting ready for its first sale at the Grand Palais, Paris on February 5, 2011. The centerpiece of the sale is a rare, radial-engined Megola motorcycle that has been described by motorcycling historian Erwin Tragatsch as "probably the most unorthodox motorcycle ever made on a commercial basis."

The machine is powered by a 640cc five-cylinder engine built into the front wheel, and is one of the only some 2,000-or-so ever produced between 1921 and 1925.

The example on offer was restored sometime in the 1990, and shown at the Salon Moto Legende. It is estimated to sell for EUR145,000-200,000.

Other highlights of the upcoming sale in Paris include three Vincent examples: a 1949 Rapide Series B (EUR26,000 – 30,000), 1950 Comet Series C (EUR7,500 – 9,000) and 1954 Black Knight Series D with fully enclosed bodywork (EUR33,000 – 37,000).

Early BMWs are among the most collectible of pre-war European motorcycles and the two in this sale – a cca 1928 R62 sidecar outfit 'barn find' (EUR32,000 – 35,000) and a fully restored 1928 R42 solo (EUR20,000 – 30,000) - represent opposite ends of the condition range.

Rendered increasingly rare by the passage of time, 'barn finds' have become more and more sought after in recent years and the cca 1923 Wanderer v-twin in the sale is a fine example, which is estimated at EUR17,000 – 20,000.

"It is wonderful to be offering such a fine selection of motorcycles at Paris' premier venue. It will be particularly interesting to see what price the rare Megola fetches," stated Ben Walker, Head of Motorcycles at Bonhams.