Beschreibung
This motorcycle is Lot 203 * N to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on October 10th – 11th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 201 - 407 are to be sold from 11AM local time on Sunday 11th October 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 10th & 11th October 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 203
The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV
1960 Yamaha 125cc YA3
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 51400
Engine no. 51400
This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.
Diversifying from its traditional role as a manufacturer of high quality musical instruments, Yamaha introduced its first motorcycle in 1955. This was the YA1, a 123cc single-cylinder two-stroke strongly influenced (like BSA's Bantam) by the pre-war DKW RT125. The foundations of Yamaha's sporting tradition were soon established when YA1s won prestigious races at Mt Fuji and Asama that same year. Introduced in for 1956, the successor YA2 departed considerably from the DKW design, boasting a pressed steel spine frame, leading link front fork, swinging arm suspension and an electric starter, all features that were carried over to the mildly revised YA-3 model in 1957. Produced until the end of 1960, the YA3 was the first Yamaha motorcycle, together with the twin-cylinder YD2, to be sold in the USA.
Believed one of only a tiny handful of YA3s in the UK, this rare early Yamaha is an older restoration and currently displays a total of 9, 645 kilometres on the odometer (the engine turns over).
Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
£2, 500 - 3, 500
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness, mileage, engine capacity and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
