Description
This motorcycle is Lot 47 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
** c. 1958 Rikuo RQ750**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 58-T-9030
Engine no. R-9030
** The Lot is from outside the UK. 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.**
Harley-Davidson's hugely successful v-twins were copied by rival manufacturers in both Europe and Japan, the example offered here being the work of the Japanese Sankyo factory. The first Harley-Davidson motorcycles had been imported into Japan by the Army around 1912, and after The Great War's end distribution was initially handled by the Nippon Jidosha company. Dissatisfied with Nippon Jidosha's sales results, Harley-Davidson concluded a deal with the pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Sankyo, resulting in the formation of the 'H-D Motorcycle Sales Company of Japan' in 1924. By 1929, though, the yen's value had plunged against that of the US dollar, making all imports from the United States prohibitively expensive. Harley's representative in Japan was Albert Rich, and he organised a deal whereby Sankyo purchased rights and the necessary tooling for the manufacture of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, with the proviso that none be exported.
Situated in Tokyo, Sankyo's Shinagawa works was almost certainly the first purpose-built motorcycle factory in Japan and thus, arguably, the birthplace of the Japanese industry. Harley-Davidson continued to export to Japan until the Shinagawa factory came on stream early in 1935. Known as the 'Rikuo' ('King of the Road') and built entirely of Japanese-made components, Sankyo's version was a copy of the 1, 200cc Model VL sidevalve 'Big Twin' that had first been introduced in the USA in 1929. There was also a military version, the Sankyo Type 97, which was used for sidecar duty and featured a three-speeds-plus-reverse gearbox with shaft drive to the 'chair'. In addition, there was 750cc variant built for solo use, as seen here. Production of the civilian Rikuo resumed after WW2, finally ceasing in the early 1960s.
This example of an early Japanese motorcycle rarely seen in the West displays a total of only 4 kilometres on the odometer (presumably since its restoration) and is presented in restored condition (the engine turns over).
Offered unregistered and without documents. 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.
Offered with key
All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
