Sidecar no. 42155

• Unique Czech-built motorcycle
• The longest wheelbase of any production motorcycle
• Present ownership since 2006
• Required recommissioning/restoration

Czechoslovakia played an important role in the development of the European motorcycle industry from the earliest days of the 20th Century, being responsible for many innovative designs. Indeed, the Czech firm of Laurin & Klement was one of the first to introduce a four-cylinder motorcycle, in 1905.

One of Czechoslovakia's more celebrated motorcycles is the improbable Böhmerland, which was manufactured from 1925 until 1939. Designed by Albin Liebisch, the Böhmerland was powered by a single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine of 80x120mm bore/stroke for a capacity of 603cc. But whereas its overhead-valve motor was entirely conventional, the Böhmerland's advanced cycle parts were anything but, consisting of a lengthy, duplex-loop, tubular frame; coil-sprung, leading-link front fork; and - for the first time on a motorcycle - cast-alloy wheels, the latter not widely adopted until the 1970s.

Models of varying wheelbase lengths were built, the most celebrated of which is the three-seater langtouren (long touring), which is notable as having the longest wheelbase of any production motorcycle. All Böhmerlands were powered by Liebisch's 603cc four-stroke single, the exception being a 348cc two-stroke model introduced in 1938 just before production ceased following the outbreak of war. By then Leibisch's factory at Schönlinde in the Sudetenland had produced around 3,000 motorcycles of all types. It is believe that only some 30-or-so Böhmerlands exist worldwide today.

Acquired by the late owner in 2006, this Böhmerland is an older restoration (date and details unknown) that has since deteriorated (it should be noted that the front tyre is flat and there is damage to the wheel rim where someone has unsuccessfully tried to retrieve the tyre valve). The Böhmerland has clearly not been used for a considerable period of time and will require careful recommissioning, or potentially more extensive restoration, before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the condition, completeness, authenticity and compatibility of this Lot's component parts prior to bidding. Notable features include a Sturmey Archer gearbox; a later Bing carburettor; lighting set and horn; and a glassfibre luggage box to the rear. Accompanying the machine is a substantial file of German documentation including correspondence; TüV paperwork; and registration documents. The machine also comes with copies of two books: Motocykly Ceche-Bohmerlan aneb Nesmrtelna vize Albina Liebische (Miroslave Gomola) and Motorcycles Ceche-Bohmerlan or The Immortal Vision of Albina Liebische (Miroslav Gomola).