Description
This motorcycle is Lot 402 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 402
Built by 1976 Speedway World Champion, Peter Collins
2009 Weslake Speedway Racing Motorcycle
Registration no.
Frame no. -N-2387-
Engine no. 1722. U L. P. S B. 85. 8 S. 85. 9
"It took Peter Collins only five years to progress from British Grass Track Champion to 1976 World Speedway Champion. " - On Two Wheels.
This Weslake speedway machine was built for our private vendor in 2009 by Peter Collins as an exact replica of his 1976 World Final winner. During his career, Collins won ten World Championships in speedway competition (one individual, four pairs and five World Team Cups), making him one of the most successful British riders in history. He retired in 1986 after a successful domestic career with Belle Vue Aces. At retirement, he had earned 118 international caps for the England national speedway team (a record) and nine caps for Great Britain.
Collins' mount during his 1976 World Championship-winning season was the British-made Weslake. Just as it had displaced the ageing JAP, the Jawa speedway motor eventually gave best to a more modern design, this time one from specialist engine manufacturer Weslake. Founder Harry Weslake had been a long-time proponent of the four-valves-per-cylinder layout for racing engines, and incorporated this technology into the new pushrod speedway motor. Introduced in 1975, the four-valve Weslake outclassed the two-valve Jawa, the result being wholesale switchover to the British engine and a rash of after-market four-valve conversions for the Czech motor, even Weslake climbing on the latter bandwagon. Weslake soon turned to manufacturing complete speedway machines, and the Rye-based firm's dominance of the sport would not be challenged until the decade's end and Jawa's introduction of a twin-overhead-camshaft engine, a move that would eventually force Weslake down the same road.
Since its acquisition by our vendor the machine has not been run. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the track and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, originality, authenticity, mechanical condition, usage and completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding. There are no documents offered with this Lot.
£4, 000 - 6, 000
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.
