The grand prix racing machines include bikes ridden by World Champions Barry Sheene, Kevin Schwantz, Scott Russell and Kenny Roberts Jr.

A former Suzuki Racing Team mechanic, Wilf Needham (49), was arrested and charged with handling stolen property. Needham pleaded guilty at a preliminary hearing, and has been remanded in custody. He will be sentenced at a time to be determined at Maidstone Crown Court.

The arrest came after four years of investigative work by Kent police, and by Garry Taylor, Suzuki team manager until the end of 2004.

The police have so far recovered four of the five 500cc grand prix machines stolen from the team’s Edenbridge, Kent workshop during September, 2002.

Ever since the theft, Taylor has been following leads with a network of “collectors and friends” in motorcycling, including several trips abroad. He was able to pass information on to the police.

“I took this theft very personally,” said Taylor. “The machines were in my custody, and were very valuable. I felt I had let the factory down. I wasn’t going to give up trying to get them back.”

“I’d like to thank the Kent Police, particularly DS Gavin Griffith and CI John Biggadike; also Crescent Suzuki, and the motorcycle racing and collecting fraternity. People have been very helpful and supportive,” he said. “It’s nice to know there are so many honest people in motorcycling.”