The auctions of Catawiki are meticulously composed by our specialist auctioneers. One of them is John Searle. He is a classic motorcycle auctioneer with more than 25 years of experience. We went over to his motorcycle walhalla and asked him in person if he could share a few great tips on how to determine whether your classic motorcycle is an original or not. Check out the video for what he had to say!
Meet John: our classic motorcycle auctioneer
For John, his love of motorcycles started when he was around 16 years old. He bought his first motorcycle when he was 18 years old: a BMW R60. He has been collecting, repairing, restoring and racing them ever since. He has taken part in a couple of classic motorcycle races throughout Europe, sometimes taking his wife with him in the sidecar. He loves motorcycles so much, he even filmed and directed a couple of TV shows about the newest models.
How to determine if a motorcycle is original
John has his own workshop, where he maintains his motorcycles and carries out his work for Catawiki. The first and most important thing to look at, he tells us, is to look at the engine and the frame numbers. If the frame numbers correlate with the year, then we’re speaking of a ‘matching numbers motorcycle’. This is an important factor to note when valuing a motorcycle.
Do some research on the motorcycle before you buy it, so you know what the motorcycle should look like. Take a close look at the brakes, the mudguards and the tank, to see if they have the original shape. And don’t forget to check the exhaust system! The shape and the engraved numbers should reveal if it is an original or not.
Last but not least, check the paintwork. Unrestored original motorcycles are very popular at the moment. A motorcycle can be restored until the end of time, but an authentic bike is unique and will always remain special. These are just a few tips, check out the whole video for more insider knowledge from John!
If you are interested in buying or selling classic motorcycles, you’re in the right place at Catawiki! Every week our specialist auctioneers put together a varied and high quality selection of lot listings.