LOT 207 *N

The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV 1969 Yamaha 350cc R3 Registration no. not registered Frame no. R3-04708 Engine no. R3 (see text)

Sold for £3,450 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 207^*,N

The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV, 1969 Yamaha 350cc R3

The Autumn Stafford Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|11 October 2026, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV
1969 Yamaha 350cc R3
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. R3-04708
Engine no. R3 (see text)

This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.

The traditional British method of building a 350 - to sleeve down a 500 - usually resulted in an overweight sluggard with little more performance than a 250. The customary Japanese approach - over-boring a 250 - achieved exactly the opposite: a machine as light as its quarter-litre sibling yet with sufficient performance to see off most 500s. Following Honda's lead, Yamaha bored out their YDS3 250cc twin to 305cc to create the YM1 for 1965, before launching a full '350' in 1967 in the shape of the YR1. The latter was followed by the YR2 in 1968; the R3 in 1969; and the last of this particular family – the R5 – in 1970. The R3 weighed some 340lb; produced 36bhp from its piston-ported two-stroke engine; and was good for around 100mph.

This particular R3 currently displays a total of 5.5 kilometres on the odometer, which may well be the distance covered since restoration (It would appear that the unnumbered crankcases are either non-matching replacement units or, potentially, original Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cases, as engine cases supplied in Japan were reportedly sometimes left unnumbered.) The engine turns over.

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.
Offered with key

Saleroom notices

Please note that, regrettably, this motorcycle is offered without a key.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalogue.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

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10 October 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
11 October 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

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*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

£3,400 - £4,400

United Kingdom

A 56 inch Ordinary bicycle by Thomas Smith, circa 1885,

£3,500 - £4,500

The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV, 1969 Yamaha 350cc R3

The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV1969 Yamaha 350cc R3Registration no. not registeredFrame no. R3-04708Engine no. R3 (see text)

Saleroom notices

Additional information

Auction information

Lot Symbols

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Conditions of Sale

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The Connoisseurs' Collection, Part IV
1969 Yamaha 350cc R3
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. R3-04708
Engine no. R3 (see text)