LOT 214

The Bob Howard Collection 1927 Zenith-JAP 680 Registration no. BF 6065 Frame no. 10754 Engine no. GTI/73005

Sold for £16,100 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

Lot 214

The Bob Howard Collection, 1927 Zenith-JAP 680

The Autumn Stafford Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|12 October 2025, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Bob Howard Collection
1927 Zenith-JAP 680
Registration no. BF 6065
Frame no. 10754
Engine no. GTI/73005

Zenith motorcycles were manufactured from 1904 until 1950 in a variety of factories in and around London. From the early days proprietary engines were used, such as Fafnir, Precision, JAP, Bradshaw and Villiers. Zenith failed to weather the financial storms of the early 1930s, and after a succession of closures and changes of ownership re-emerged after WW2 with a solitary model: a 750cc JAP-powered sidevalve v-twin, which lasted only a few more years.

Dating from Zenith's Vintage-era heyday, this sidevalve-engined Zenith-JAP ('the six which pulls like an eighty') was acquired by Bob Howard on 14th May 2012. Notable features include a magdyno; Miller acetylene headlamp and generator; Lucas 'King of the Road' bulb horn; and a large battery housed in one of the rear ammunition boxes/carriers. The old-style continuation logbook on file, issued in 1950, lists various owners, while the registration recorded is 'TO 5817', a Nottingham mark. The history file is substantial, containing correspondence, old MoTs, instruction manual and parts book; photocopied JAP instruction book; Gov.uk MoT history: a V5C document, etc, etc. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent and thus is sold strictly as viewed (inspection highly recommended).
Key not required

Footnotes

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.
Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Autumn Stafford Sale

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 12 October, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.

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