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LOT 136 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III c.1952 Asahi 250cc Golden Beam FA Registration no. not registered Frame no. 5FA-2-2523 Engine no. FA. 14800.

Sold for £2,070 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 136*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1952 Asahi 250cc Golden Beam FA

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1952 Asahi 250cc Golden Beam FA
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 5FA-2-2523
Engine no. FA. 14800.

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.


Asahi motorcycles were manufactured by Miyata, originally a general engineering company that could trace its roots back to the early 19th Century. Miyata produced weapons for the Japanese Army and built its first prototype bicycle in 1890. Forced out of the armaments business by cheap imports, Miyata concentrated on bicycle manufacture exclusively from 1900 under the Asahi brand name. The company began experimenting with powered transport around 1907 before launching the Asahi car in 1910. In 1913 Miyata produced the first all-Japanese motorcycle. That first Asahi was based on a British Triumph design, but it was not a success and production was discontinued in 1916.

Miyata returned to motorcycle production in 1933 with the Asahi AA, Japan's first mass-produced motorcycle. Asahi motorcycle production was discontinued during WW2. Through the 1950s the company released the HA (OHV) and Golden Beam FA (sidevalve) models, both with 250cc single-cylinder engines, as well as a 344cc single and various twin-cylinder two-strokes. Increasingly fierce domestic competition saw many Japanese motorcycle enterprises fail in the 1960s, Miyata's being one of them. The last Asahi motorcycles were manufactured in 1964. Production of bicycles, though, continues to this day, albeit under the Miyata brand name rather than Asahi.

This example of a Japanese motorcycle rarely seen in the UK is presented in restored condition (the engine turns over). The odometer reading is 24 kilometres, which may well be the distance covered since the rebuild.

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 without key

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.

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To request an International Motorcycle shipping quote visit Shippio.
To request a Memorabilia and Spares shipping quote visit Mail Boxes Etc - Milton Keynes.

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  • 10 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 11 June 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.
NNOVA 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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