Okay, it takes a moment to set up this story and explain the headline, but trust me, it is worth your time.
On top of being a versatile and fierce American professional motorcycle racer, Dick “Bugsy” Mann was a master fabricator and craftsman. He founded Dick Mann Specialties (DMS) in Richmond, California, in the early 70’s. One of his first customers was Bruce Brown of On Any Sunday and Endless Summer fame. Bruce heard that Dick was building BSA B50 Works Bikes. Dick crafted these bikes starting with his hand-made frame and then applied his magic to the BSA B50 motor and suspension.
“Hey Dick, this is Bruce and I need you to build me one of your B50 bikes before McQueen finds out,” is how the call came in to DMS. Dick agreed and Bruce got his 1974 DMS BSA B50 works bike before Steve could get an order in. I’m sure Bruce’s bike got ridden many hours in the hills above his ranch in Gaviota, California.
The bike remained dormant in the Bruce Brown Estate until it was purchased in 2022 by Motion Pro’s owner, Chris Carter. Chris massaged the bike back to life. “I probably overdid it a bit on the rebuild,” laughed Chris when I spoke to him about his passion project. Still, Chris had bigger plans for this historical motorcycle.
Chris secured letters of authenticity from both Richard’s wife Kay Mann (she always called him Richard, not Dick) and Bruce’s oldest son, Dana. Dana’s letter in part reads, “This bike is much more than just a motorcycle. To me, it’s the symbol of two men that were good friends, one-of-a-kind human beings. It represents an era in cycling that will never happen again. It represents laughter, adventure, innovation and friendship. It is beyond authentic, it’s one-of-a-kind.”
Letters of authenticity in hand, Chris put the bike on the block at the 2026 Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas. The bike was listed without a reserve but there was a catch. Chris would donate 100% of the proceeds to the Back On Track Racers Recovery organization. Back On Track provides financial assistance for injured motorcycle racers and their families. You can find out more about the charity by clicking here.
When the gavel dropped, Chris Carter had raised $38,500 for Back On Track Racers and the new owner, Taz Harvey, got an amazing piece of motorcycle history.
I’m sure Bugsy and Bruce were smiling down over the proceedings. McQueen? He is still probably a little sore that Dick built that bike for Bruce before he got one.
EPILOGUE
The new owner of this amazing motorcycle is Taz Harvey. His dad, Ken Harvey, grew up with Dick Mann in Richmond, California. Taz explains why the bike is so important to his family.
“My dad and Bugs friendship goes way back to when they were 14 years old and they had paper routes in Richmond. Bugs had the Chronicle and Ken had the Examiner. They switched from bicycles to scooters and that is when the fun began. Both joined the Richmond Ramblers and both had a drivers license when they were 15 as my grandma lied about Ken’s age so he could get it.”
“Both raced at Belmont and Bugs went on to two National Championships and dad started a motorcycle shop, JK Cycle Inn on San Pablo Avenue. Dad stopped racing after his brother Jimmy crashed and was in a coma for a month.”
“Dad, who is 91 years old, picked up the Honda motorcycle franchise in 1961 and cars in 1977. Ken still loves motorcycles and will be delighted to have this special BSA.”
