1914 two speed American X

[JFerg]

Just dragged out of a garage after 40 plus years in hiding.  Needs tyres and a wipe over with the oily rag before it's ready to use.  Shannon's Auctions, Melbourne, on-line auction starting 11 November.  When will you see another one?

[john.k]

Same remarks as Stanger.......Wonder if the Oz govt would ever put an export order on a bike?

[Rex]

They're too sensible for that, surely?

[33d6]

Well technically you do have to ask permission to take an old machine out of the country but I don't know if they ever refuse permission.

Some time ago I wanted to ride my '51 James around the Alps. Because of its age I had to apply for a permit to do so. It was no drama just bureacratic bumf but it was a necessary step in freighting it out.

Cheers,

[Rex]

I would have thought the Antipodeans would have been far too sensible for such bureaucratic shite. Even the "we love form-filling" Germans don't go that far!

[33d6]

Every country has its share of bumf loving bureaucrats. The trick lies in how you deal with them. Unfortunately sometimes you can’t avoid them.

The classic example is the English DVLA. Just look at all the rubbish that they generate. The rest of the world isn’t interested but every bike forum gets stuck with their rubbish sooner or later. English insurance runs a close second.

[Rex]

Some people like to moan when things don't go their way for whatever reason. I've had dealings with the DVLA since the 1990's and I've had no problems, but it's usually when people don't follow the guide, hope to shortcut the process or even pull a flanker that things go awry.
Compared to continental Europe, some US states etc the DVLA is a breeze.

[R]

Nice bike John, I'll bet that'll go for a few $$

but it's usually when people don't follow the guide, hope to shortcut the process or even pull a flanker that things go awry.

Indeed. Bureaucracy these days has a whole lot of boxes that the computer needs to see filled in to say 'done'.

I transferred a bike to another state, and a young lass came out with a clipboard and several pages flapping on it.
I thought here we go.
She said 'seat' and I pointed to seat (!)(she did look).
Mufflers, horn, good tyres, brakes, mirror, blinkers, blah de blah.
All done, that was easy, collect some $$, here is your certificate.

I'm sure if I'd taken say in an Aardvark, and it had never been registered, it may have been different...

[john.k]

I seem to recall the Excelsior came from the Milledge collection.....when it was auctioned ,there was some surprise at the prices some machines fetched at that time .

[cardan]

Some good prices there, jferg!

https://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/2020-shannons-spring-timed-online-auction/

Perhaps the Excelsior was the under-performer - I suspect that if a reserve were set it would be higher than the selling price.

Number plate prices always amaze me.

Cheers

Leon

[TGR90B]

Interesting selection, thanks for posting. Remember, Aus. dollars are about 1.8 to the pound.

[R]

Perhaps the Excelsior was the under-performer - I suspect that if a reserve were set it would be higher than the selling price.

Someone got a bargain there.


(Reserve not met)
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/143852037812