Classic Bike Memorabilia Under the Hammer

A unique selection of motorcycle memorabilia is going under the hammer at Bonhams online auction in February.

Offered by Mike Jackson, who will be familiar to many riders as President of the Norton Owners Club, the items are all from his personal collection, built up during a career spanning five decades working in the British motorcycle industry.

Mike competed in Trials and Scrambles in the UK and Europe between 1954 – 1970, having ridden (and worked) for Greeves. Subsequently joining Norton Villiers, he went off to California to sell Norton Commandos during the week, and to race in Desert events at the weekend,  astride AJS Stormers. This was a career opportunity that The Motorcycle’s Peter Fraser once described as “arguably the most plum job within the UK British motorcycle industry!”

Having returned to the UK, Mike bought Andover Norton International Ltd in 1981 and, 10 years later, became co-owner of BSA Group Ltd.

Three lots are up for sale:

1. A cinefilm by Outrider titled ‘King Kenny’, English version, running time 30 minutes. Copy #37, with protective box.
2. A selection of posters, including a Triumph Bandit (French) poster (with foxing and loss to the top of the poster, 60 cm x 74 cm); a BSA ‘Leave it to your BSA’ (77 cm x 52 cm); AJS Stormer Stamina (mounted on board, 58 cm x 73 cm); NVT ‘Have fun with Easy-Riders’ (mounted on board 50 cm x 75 cm); a picture of former ISDT riders at Goodwood (59 cm x 42 cm); a reprint 1958 Triumph model poster (MFG 63 cm x 48 cm); a MFG cartoon by John Mockett (95 cm x 19 cm) and a picture of Phil Read riding a JPN Norton (48 cm x 39 cm MFG).
3. A quantity of Goodwood and motorcycle-related marketing items, including a folder of stickers; a box of branded pens and keyrings; a Norton Authentic Dealer sticker; a Norton enamel sign with thermometer; a PGO scooters watch; a Norton Rotary casting; assorted t-shirts; Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival posters, programmes and press related material.

Bonhams’ February Online Sale takes place from the 13th-23rd February, a ten day timed online auction from their Milton Keynes storage facility.

The viewing days will be Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th February 2026.

John Draper won the 1955 European MX Championship astride his 500cc BSA Gold Star, on a machine that, in production, achieved countless successes during the 1950s, whether by the factory’s own team members, or in the hands of so many private owners throughout the UK, Europe, and USA.  It should also be remembered that the Gold Star’s domination extended equally to road racing and to Trials in the 350 and 500 cc category.

To find out more, visit the Bonhams website at https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/32058/motorcycles-online-the-spring-sale/

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