Description
This motorcycle is Lot 171 of Bonhams Motorcycles Online – The Summer Sale; open for bidding 5-15th June 2026. This Lot is available for public view and eventual collection from Bonhams Motorcycle Department, Milton Keynes.
Please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Bidding on all Lots commences Friday 5 June, 12:00 noon.
Bidding closes Monday 15 June, 12:00 noon, starting with Lot 1
Each subsequent Lot will then close one minute apart unless bidding remains active.
Public Viewing (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY):
All Lots:
Wednesday 10 June, 9am - 5pm
Thursday 11 June, 9am - 5pm
Please email using the button below with your availability to schedule an appointment.
Lot 171
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
1968 Greeves 344cc Oulton Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 35RFS105
Engine no. 24 / 68-CCB 637
This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must complete all post-sale customs clearance administration, for import or export, on behalf of the purchaser. A compulsory fee of £195 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this service. This Lot may not be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any third-party transporter until Shippio Ltd has confirmed that this Lot has cleared customs.
If this Lot is to remain in the UK, or is not exported within 90 days of the sale, Import VAT at 5% of the hammer price will be payable.
Greeves' unorthodox trademarks of a cast aluminium beam 'downtube' and rubber-in-torsion leading-link fork proved adaptable to almost all forms of motorcycle from humble commuter, via a succession of highly successful off-roaders, to clubman's road-racer. Greeves' first road racer, the Silverstone, was introduced for the 1963 season following the success of Reg Everett's converted scrambler. The production bike used a modified 24MDS scrambler frame, narrowed at the rear, and was powered by a Villiers 36A engine fitted with Greeves' own alloy cylinder barrel and head. An Amal GP carburettor and expansion chamber exhaust were standard equipment and the motor produced 31bhp at 7, 400rpm. Progressively developed through versions RAS to RFS until 1968, the Silverstone provided many an aspiring star with their first taste of road racing and today remains a popular mount in classic/ historic racing's 250 class.
A '350' version of the road racer – the Oulton – commenced production in June 1968. This was basically the Silverstone fitted with a down-sized version of the MX4 Challenger scrambler's engine. A pair of expansion chambers running from the twin exhaust ports was a standout feature, as was the tried and tested Albion five-speed cam-barrel gearbox, developed in the Silverstone. The Oulton's extra power exposed the limitations of the frame and front brake, but by this time the factory was putting all of its limited resources into developing the scramblers and the road racer's cycle parts would remain unchanged. Only 21 Oultons had been produced when production ended.
One of Greeves' rarest competition machines, the Oulton offered here is an older restoration (the engine turns over). It should be noted that the carburettor float chamber mount is broken.
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, 800 - 3, 600
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.
