A 1975 Suzuki 750cc race bike that was ridden by two AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers and later won the famed Isle of Man TT is up for auction in August, as well as a 1976 Morbidelli 250cc machine raced by AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Giacomo Agostini.
The bikes are among more than 580 lots of motorcycles and memorabilia that will be auctioned at Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire, in England Aug. 14-16.
“Bicester Heritage is a fitting backdrop for what is set to be a truly memorable sale with a brand new live and online auction format,” said Bonham Motorcycle Department Director Ben Walker. “Bonhams inaugural Live & Online Motoring Auction on Saturday 30 May at Bicester Heritage clearly demonstrated the appeal and appetite for this auction format and we saw a significant increase in bidder registrations.”
Texaco Heron Team Suzuki works rider John Williams piloted the 1975 Suzuki XR11 Formula 750 machine (above) to victory in the 1976 Isle of Man Classic TT. Before making its way to the UK, future AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers David Aldana and Pat Hennen rode it as part of Suzuki’s American racing effort.
Bonhams says the bike represents the final development of the Suzuki XR11 Formula 750 racer, which was also known as the TR750. The bike had a spindly frame that couldn’t handle the machine’s 116 horsepower, earning the bike the nickname the “Flexi-flyer.”
The 1976 Morbidelli 250cc grand prix racing motorcycle is one of two specially built for Agostini. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer finished 6th in the World Grand Prix 500cc class in 1977 and then retired from racing. During his racing career he earned 15 world championships in the 350 and 500 classes.
Bonhams says that in 1976 Agostini reportedly was offered more than $6,000 to compete one day in 500cc, 350cc and 250cc races at the Misano World Circuit in Italy. Morbidelli built two bikes for him to use in the 250cc competition. Agostini won the 500cc race on a Suzuki, finished 2nd in the 350cc race on an MV, and placed second in the 250 race. The bike being auctioned was his spare.
To learn more about the auction, go to bonhams.com/auctions/26111.