LOT 114 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III c.1950 Fuji Bam-Bee 49cc Model 41 & Sekine Bicycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. G 2 4912 Engine no. F9 746

Sold for £460 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 114^*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1950 Fuji Bam-Bee 49cc Model 41 & Sekine Bicycle

Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale|15 June 2026, 13:53 BST|Online, Milton Keynes

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1950 Fuji Bam-Bee 49cc Model 41 & Sekine Bicycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. G 2 4912
Engine no. F9 746

This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must complete all post-sale customs clearance administration, for import or export, on behalf of the purchaser. A compulsory fee of £195 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this service. This Lot may not be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any third-party transporter until Shippio Ltd has confirmed that this Lot has cleared customs.

If this Lot is to remain in the UK, or is not exported within 90 days of the sale, Import VAT at 5% of the hammer price will be payable.

The 'Bam-Bee' engine was commissioned by Bridestone, a one-time motorcycle manufacturer now more famous for its tyres. What is now the Bridgestone company first began trading in the mid-1920s as a manufacturer of rubber products, principally tyres. Recognising the need for cheap transportation in the aftermath of WW2, company founder Shojiro Ishibashi founded the Bridgestone Bicycle Manufacturing Company in 1945, changing the name to Bridgestone Cycle Company in 1949.

In 1950 Bridgestone contracted the Fuji Precision Machinery Co to manufacture and supply small clip-on engines for attachment to Bridgestone bicycles. Initially these cyclemotor engine kits were sold separately, but in 1952 the first complete Bridgestone motorised bicycle was launched. Its 'Bam-Bee' engine was a 26cc two-stroke unit fitted alongside the rear wheel of the bicycle on the left-hand side, with fuel tank on the right and friction drive to the rear tyre. Engine capacity was later increased to 38.5cc for the model BS-31 and then to 49cc for the model BS-41.

This Bam-Bee auxiliary bicycle engine was manufactured by the Fuji Precision Machinery Company in Japan and is attached to a Sekine gent's bicycle. Founded in Arakawa, Japan in 1912, Sekine built high-quality bicycles until relatively recently, only ceasing its operations in 2008. The machine is presented in restored condition and features a 'National' lighting set by the Sanyo Electrical Co.

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.
Key not required

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 15%+VAT on the first £500k of the Hammer Price, and 12%+VAT on the balance thereafter.

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.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE
To request a UK or European Motorcycle shipping quote visit Moving Motorcycles.
To request an International Motorcycle shipping quote visit Shippio.
To request a Memorabilia and Spares shipping quote visit Mail Boxes Etc - Milton Keynes.

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 License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation 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 catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences 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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*	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.

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1950 Fuji Bam-Bee 49cc Model 41 & Sekine Bicycle

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part IIIc.1950 Fuji Bam-Bee 49cc Model 41 & Sekine BicycleRegistration no. not registeredFrame no. G 2 4912Engine no. F9 746

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The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1950 Fuji Bam-Bee 49cc Model 41 & Sekine Bicycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. G 2 4912
Engine no. F9 746