A 1914 Indian Model F motorbike once owned by Steve McQueen is due to go under the hammer at a Bonhams auction at the end of the month.

The sale will take place as part of the International Classic Motorcycle Show in Stafford.

Expected to sell for between £22,000 and £28,000, the motorcycle is an example of a board-track racer. Such bikes were designed without clutches, throttles or brakes, and were push started to run continuously. They could often surpass the 100mph mark, until the race was over or the rider wanted to stop, in which case he would short the magneto in order to stall the bike.

The McQueen bike was purchased by its present owner at an American auction three years ago.

The Hollywood legend was famed for his hands-on approach to roles such as The Great Escape and Bullit, in which he would carry out stunt scenes in person. But his love of fast motorbikes and race cars extended far beyond moviemaking, since he regularly took part in races himself. He was not known as a careful rider, however, and was the kind of person who may have regularly called on his motorbike breakdown cover – if he had any.

His collection of classic bikes was thought to number over 100 when he died in 1980.

Head of the Bonhams Motorcycle Department, Ben Walker, said: “This machine was part of McQueen’s collection rather than one he would have raced.

“He would have wanted this rare find purely for his pleasure and enjoyment as a collector.”

In total 242 motorbikes will go on sale at Staffordshire County Showground on April 28, but McQueen’s Indian Model F looks set to be star of the show.