1977 MV Agusta 850SS – $100,000 CDN (Sold)
INTERNATIONAL SALE – Canada
SELLER SAYS: This 1977 MV Agusta 850SS was initially manufactured as a 750S America during the final year of production at the company’s Samarate factory and it is one of approximately 40 that were modified into the 850SS. The bike was purchased by its current owner at a California bike show in 2011 and imported to Canada, after which it was featured in a Motorcycle Classics article in December 2012. Power comes from a 837cc DOHC inline-four mated to a five-speed transmission and an enclosed driveshaft, and features include a black suede seat, clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot controls, 18″ alloy wheels, triple disc brakes, a Ceriani fork, adjustable Sebac shocks, four Dell’Orto VHB carburetors, and a four-into-four exhaust system. Work in preparation for the sale included rebuilding the brake calipers, replacing the head gaskets, changing the fluids, and replacing the starter/dynamo belts. This 850SS “Monza” is now offered by the seller on behalf of its owner with manufacturer’s literature, a removed fairing and hardware, original sales documentation, and British Columbia registration. The fairing can be mounted for shipping. Note that I do have the the centre lower fairing piece, missing in the photos. The tyres are old and will need replacing. Contact Kevin at xxxxxx@xxxx.ca SOLD (Chilliwack, British Columbia Canada).
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: Cripes. Where to start? Back in the 1970s, when Japanese manufacturers turned the motoring world upside down with the CB750 and others, the motorcycling establishment scrambled to come up with a reaction to survive. The Japanese bikes were beautifully made, which made anything that vibrated or leaked oil simply unacceptable in the ‘new world’. They were exotic, smooth, dripping with new tech — and cheap! They weren’t especially faster or better handling than the other bikes of the time, but they sold like hot cakes. MV Agusta made a decision that was incredibly brave — to compete with Japan on performance, quality and sex appeal — and not on price. When the 750S America hit the market, it had a price tag of $US6,000. It doesn’t sound like a lot of money today, but in 1975 such a price was astronomical. A Honda CB750 — then the most popular machine in the world — could be purchased brand new for less than $US2,000. History shows the top-shelf gamble did not pay off for MV Agusta. In 1977, the company surrendered. No more motorcycles. Magnificent as they were, the market just wasn’t prepared to pay the price of three Honda Fours for one 750S. The only good news is that some of the bikes were manufactured and, partly because they were so darned expensive, most have survived in top condition. A wonderful legacy.
A couple of years back we listed a 750S America from New Caledonia, with an asking price of $US100k. It was in stunning condition and sold quickly to an Australian buyer, with several other buyers queued up and ready to pay the price but too slow off the mark. This bike of Kevin’s is more rare and up-spec from the already amazingly rare and up-spec 750S and appears to also be in wonderful fettle. A rare opportunity indeed. (As a side note, the seller of this bike is one of our regular customers and has sold several bikes into Australia in recent years.)
