On Oct. 17, the eyes of the classic motorcycle world will be on Bonhams' annual sale in Staffordshire, U.K., as 60 vintage motorcycles from the Lonati collection cross the block at the two-day auction. The collection is essentially a private museum of mostly American motorcycles, and it contains a number of gems that will approach the $50,000 and $100,000 barrier.

The Lonati collection hails from Brescia, Italy, and was started by Francesco Lonati with the purchase of a 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA. The collection quickly grew in size, eventually gaining a permanent home at a Santoni textile machine factory.

"This is an incredibly rare find -- 60 fantastic collectors' motorcycles, all carefully stored in the Brescia-based private museum of entrepreneur and CEO of the Santoni Group, Tiberio Lonati," commented Ben Walker, international director at Bonhams Collectors' Motorcycles. "Mr. Lonati loved what motorcycles represent, 'complete freedom,' the open road, something highly synonymous with U.S. motorcycle marque Harley-Davidson, which is perhaps why he had so many!"

Here are a few highlights from the collection:

This 1910 Pierce 688cc Four will be up for auction this weekend. Bonhams

1910 Pierce 688cc Four

Built by the Pierce-Arrow Car Co., the Four is the first four-cylinder American motorcycle. This model was designed at a time when most motorcycles had single-cylinder engines and offered very modest performance. The Pierce changed all that by its ability to reach 60 mph -- in first gear. Early versions of the motorcycle had direct drive, but a two-speed gearbox arrived in 1910. Pierce would not stay in the motorcycle business long -- it started focusing on luxury cars, and with a price of $325 to $400, this bike cost almost as much as a Ford Model T.

This particular example is estimated to bring between $92,000 and $120,000.

This 1930 Indian Model 402 Four Motorcycle Combination is estimated to bring between $61,000 and $77,000. Bonhams

1930 Indian Model 402 Four Motorcycle Combination

The Indian 402 debuted in 1929 and was based on the Henderson Ace. The Four was considered a luxury motorcycle at the time, and with four cylinders and relatively overengineered construction, it really was "The Duesenberg of motorcycling." The Four would go through a number of mechanical changes throughout the 1930s, and despite its relatively high price sales remained strong.

This classic motorbike is estimated to bring between $61,000 and $77,000.

This 1911 Flying Merkel 498cc Bonhams

1911 Flying Merkel 498cc 'Racing' Motorcycle

The Lonati collection sale will also offer a 1911 Flying Merkel 498cc racing motorcycle, one of the best known motorcycles from the pre-war period. The company's motorcycles introduced a number of mechanical innovations at a time when motorcycle design and engineering were progressing rapidly, and the Merkels were known for success in early motorcycle racing events. "The celebrated Merkel Ball-Bearing Motor is our sure foundation; a motor which has never been equaled in its simplicity and durability; a motor which will develop more actual horsepower under accurate test than any other motor of its size in the world," advertising copy of the time boasted.

Any Merkel of the time is rare now, and this restored example is estimated to bring between $25,000 and $31,000 on auction day, making it a bit of a bargain among other vintage motorcycles in the auction catalog. But these are always in demand, and it's safe to say there won't be such a thing as a "steal" at this sale.

This 1905 Indian 2 1/4-hp Bonhams

1905 Indian 2 1/4-hp 'Camel Back'

The most valuable classic motorcycles are almost never the largest and most ornate ones. Case in point: the Indian "Camel Back" from 1905. More of a motorized bicycle than a motorcycle to most eyes, the "Camel Back" is named for the rear wheel-arch-mounted fuel tank, which feeds a single-cylinder engine producing 2 1/4 hp. This example is believed to be unrestored and carries the serial number 1818. It is said to be one of 1,182 examples built that year, with serial numbers for this model running from 1168 to 2349.

Bonhams estimates this example to fetch between $43,000 and $55,000 at auction.

This 1929 Harley-Davidson 1,200cc Model JDH Bonhams

1929 Harley-Davidson 1,200cc Model JDH 'Two Cam' Racing Motorcycle

A good chunk of the collection comprises Harley-Davidson motorcycles, all of them from the pre-war years, and it includes this 1,200cc Model JDH "Two Cam" racing model. A performance model added to the range in 1928, the "Two Cam" featured side-by-side direct acting tappets, peanut-shaped timing covers and magnesium alloy high-compression pistons. This model also boasted such features as a front brake, but it was the most expensive bike in the lineup with a price of $390. Nevertheless, these were popular with Harley-Davidson enthusiasts at the time and were essentially the hot-rod bikes of their day.

Bonhams estimates this example will bring between $31,000 and $46,000 on auction day.

Visit the auction website to view the full list of lots, as well as a detailed auction schedule.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io