Few motorcycle events draw larger crowds or attract more actual motorcycles than the annual Mecum Motorcycle Auction, which ran its course over five days in Las Vegas, January 27-31.
By Richard T. Haight
The Mecum “Motorcycles Only” auction attracts thousands of bikes from around the world for sale. Want a 1915 Cyclone V-Twin in perfect condition? No problem, bring $1.2 million. On the other hand, any day can present serious bargains. But you’re likely to find almost whatever you’re searching for at the Mecum auction. Looking for that 1960s Triumph Bonneville your dad owned? No fewer than two dozen Triumphs of various models and years crossed the block; some were bargains, and others were show winners.
In 2004, Honda authorized and assisted Britain’s George Beale to manufacture 10 exact copies of Mike Hailwood’s 1967 350cc World Championship six-cylinder RC174. Made from the actual factory blueprints and some original parts, each one cost $250,000. None have ever surfaced for resale, until last Saturday, when number three crossed the block at the South Pointe Hotel in Las Vegas, the venue for the Mecum auction. And cross the block it did, at $330,000. The highest sale of the five-day event. It was followed closely by the actual 1968 prototype of the 1969 Honda CB750 at $313,500!
Some people are looking for a bargain, but more of the buyers were there to find the Honda CT70 they had as a kid, or a Mustang they rode to high school, bringing back old memories.
You name it, it was at Mecum’s: Ariels, Harleys of all types, and bikes from Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Maico, KTM, Sunbeam, Triumphs, Excelsior, and more. There were bikes representing practically every OEM, era and style, from choppers to trikes, including a Husqvarna three-wheeler.
If you are looking for something, go! You are likely to find it. If you have something to sell, it’s the place!
Regardless, it is a hoot to watch, and the auctioneers put on quite a show.CN
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