Motorbikes don't come much more sought-after than a 1915 Cyclone – and if you have a spare £500,000, you can get hold of a very special example indeed.
The late Steve McQueen owned the canary yellow version that is up for auction in Las Vegas later this month – a much sought after item for antique motorbike enthusiasts and McQueen fans alike.
McQueen had built up a vast collection of motorbikes at the time of his death in 1980, when he lost a battle with cancer at the age of 50.
Aside from the bike’s striking design and paint-job, the Cyclone is interesting for a number of other reasons. Built for board track racing, the Cyclone had no brakes – which is rather surprising considering it could reach speeds of more than 110mph thanks to its meaty 45hp 996cc engine.
Only six Cyclones are thought to have survived the last hundred years, another factor that has influenced the large reserve price.
A number of motorbikes formerly owned by McQueen were sold off in 1984, one of which was the Cyclone. US collector EJ Cole picked up the bike all those years ago, but has decided to sell it – along with more than 220 vintage US bikes – at the Las Vegas auction. It took him five decades to build up the collection.
“It is by far the most interesting motorcycle owned by the King of Cool,” said a spokesperson for the auction house.
Cyclones were built by Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company,St. Paul, Minnesota between 1912 and 1917. The model made its mark on track racing circuits until the 1930s.
Any of our motorbike breakdown insurance customers with the inclination to buy the Cyclone – and who have a spare half-million – can place their bids on March 20.
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