On Sunday, auctioneer William Bunch held a much anticipated sale of classic motorbikes.

The sale was quite wide-ranging, including on the one hand a Hindall Triumph 500 Desert sled, based upon a frame kit produced by Harry Hindall, and on the other a 1944 M-72 Soviet wartime military motorcycle with side car.

The latter came with the original Russian paperwork and was turned up after 28 years storage in the countryside of Brest by the auctioneer's agent.

Indian Chief motorbike 1948

Another highlight we didn't look at however was a 1948 Indian Chief. After a nine year slumber, this bike was recently started after being checked over, and was found to be running fine.

Experts have confirmed that this is a 1948 engine with a 1946 frame. It is in very nice overall condition but the new owners will need to do a little bit of work to bring it back to its former glory.

The beautiful blue machine sold for $14,000, which seems quite reasonable for what must count as an investment-grade piece.