Sounds crazy, right? But it’s true. The Mecum Motorcycle Auction that takes place in Lost Wages, Nevada, in January of each year sells more motorcycles in its 5 days of operation than most motorcycle shops sell all year. Bikes are rolled up to the auction block and, on average, sell within the next 2 minutes. Buyers can attend the show in person or bid online (a very risky proposition unless you have an expert in the arena to give your dream machine a 50-point inspection). Dreams come true and memories are passed on to a new owner. And it all happens at a break-neck speed.
Is a Mecum Auction the best way to buy the bike of your dreams? Not really. The bikes can’t be started or ridden. You will be up against bidders who may share the same passion for a certain model as you, but have far deeper pockets. And if you want to ride your dream bike, you are better off meeting the seller to uncover the bike’s history and, of course, fire it up and ride it.
Should you go the a Mecum Auction? Absolutely. I have yet to find a private collection that boasts as many interesting bikes as the Mecum Auction. The auction makes sense to collectors buying bikes for display purposes or to fill a hole in their collection. And finally, if you keep your eyes peeled, you may see a former National Supercross champ or a guy who won the Carlsbad GP 5 times. I’m sure there were some rock stars and movie stars in attendance too, but I wouldn’t recognize them like I’d recognize Steve Stackable or Gerrit Wolsink. Both true rock stars to me.
Here are just a tiny percentage of the bikes that caught my attention. Click on any image to enlarge.
Realistic Replica: A replica of a 1967 Honda Factory race bike built by British extraordinaire George Beale exceeded its reserve (the minimum amount the seller will accept) and rolled off the block for $330,000.
Pretty Patina: Many bikes are restored to better-than-showroom condition although a dirt-encrusted beauty like the Don-Vesco-ridden 1955 Triumph T100R is a true beauty. $24,200 took it home.
Salty Dogs: Here are two very different ways to attack the Bonneville Salt Flats. And there is that Vesco name again. Don was synonymous with building and tuning the fastest motorcycle engines on the planet.
If I Had Known Then: My job at Husqvarna was to convert a bunch of left-over automatic enduro models into 3 wheelers. I failed miserably. Had I known of this kit, things may have turned out very different. Bidding went up to $8,000 but didn’t hit its reserve. This could still be yours.
Give It To Mitch: The only dude who made tricker Huskies than this amazing Pro-Fab Works CR400 was Mitch Payton at Anaheim Husqvarna. $27,000 wasn’t enough to break the reserve.
Sting Like A Bee: I forgot just how beautiful the 1969 Suzuki T125 Stinger was. This parallel-twin 124cc motorcycle has aged so well, Suzuki could release it with a “replica” or “tribute” tag and sell containers of them. Sold for $5,500.
Soft Sell: This 1967 Electra Glide didn’t look impressive online or in the auction catalog. In person, fuhgeddaboudit! It sold for $14,300 and unless it was missing the transmission, that was the steal of the week.
Salsbury Streak: If you think you’d look cool rolling down Main Street on this Salsbury 85 Scooter, think how the original owner felt riding it in 1947! It was way ahead of its time. Went for $4,950.
Remembering Marty: The late Marty Smith is remembered by this very-accurate metal sculpture. Marty went from number 522 to 1 after winning his first 125 National Motocross Championship. The art sold for $2,280.
Two-Stroke Perfection: The Suzuki GT750 water buffalo got all the attention (and rightfully so). Its smaller siblings like this ’72 GT550 lived in the 750’s shadow until now. This 550 fetched an impressive $23,100.
Missed Opportunity: This super-clean 1967 Harley-Davidson SS 250 went for a ridiculously-low price. What is this bike worth? Only what somebody will pay for it. In this case, that’s $3,300.
Start Them Young: Evel-Knievel-branded products seem to increase in desirability and value every year. Evel still appeals to younger generations. Drop a dime for a ride or get the whole thing for $2,400.
Have A Pinball: Another Evel-branded product fetched $4,800 for the pinball wizard collector. The AMF Harley-Davidson sign will grace somebody’s man cave for $4,200. There is usually a nice offering of “road art” at Mecum.
Poor Investment: A faster way to lose money than playing the craps table. I don’t know where to sell a bike like this and not lose your shirt. The owner probably sunk $35,000 into this bike and bidding stalled at $12,000 (higher than I expected).
Hannah Replica: When I first saw a young kid named Bob Hannah at a CMC race at Saddleback Park, it was on a bike that looked just like this one. Except, it wasn’t this one. Think of this build as a tribute to Bob’s Husky. $5,000 didn’t break the reserve.
Night Train To Milwaukee: I’ve always had a soft spot for the Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide. Custom builders will replicate this model using current models as their base. That’s a better way to go if you want to ride it. This original went for $22,000.
Look But Don’t Kick: Not everyone is looking for a bike to ride. Many offerings were marked “Display Bike” meaning they are not sold as complete or running bikes. $11,000 snagged this rolling artwork that may end up in a hipster clothing store or bar.
God Save The McQueen: Steve McQueen owned a ton of motorcycles and they still fetch impressive amounts. The owner of this McQueen bike wouldn’t part with it for $24,000. If I was Brad Pitt, I’d buy a bike warehouse and sell a few every year at Mecum.
Sex On The Oval: The most seductive motorcycle ever made is a Harley-Davidson XR750 (and this one can actually still be raced). No show pony, this last-production-year XR750 went for $19,800. This bike can still win flat-track races under a rider who can get the power to the dirt.
Saved From The Chopper: So many of this era’s FLHs got sold cheap and turned into choppers in the late 60’s and early 70’s. This 1958 model survived and looked stunning while fetching $27,500 on the last day.
Bear Market For The Brits: Triumphs from the 60’s used to command big bucks until the baby-boomer herd started thinning out. There is just not the demand anymore and prices reflect that lack of interest.
Maico Road Racer: The German Maico brand is best known for their motocross bikes. They also made beautiful road racers like this RS125 that sold for a cool $26,400. I would assume this bike will go on display somewhere. It is too pretty to vintage race.
More Guide Line Than Rule: I have a rule never to buy another vintage bike but I’d break that rule for the right price on a Honda CB450 Black Bomber. Is that a sweet bike or what? There were a few on the block and sold in the $8,250-to-$9,900 range.
Dialed Suspension: Long-time friend, former pro motocrosser and owner of Noleens Racing, Clark Jones (right) was showing vintage-bike riders that he could get their suspension performing way better than the stock set-up.
Iconic Design: There are motorcycles that simply never age. The Harley-Davidson XR750 comes to mind and so does this Yamaha TZ250E. It performed as good as it looks. $14,850 took it home (and hopefully, to the track).
Mud Flaps: I’ve never warmed to the bodywork on these early Triumphs but I assume in rainy England, they were the rage. This is a 350cc model and it went for $4,400.
Bull Taco: Here is another bike that I wouldn’t mind riding up to Ojai on a Sunday morning even if makes a racket and spews white smoke. The ’69 Bultaco Metralla looks fast just sitting there. The seller wouldn’t take $6.000 for it so you can still bid on it.
New Model Blues: I don’t remember seeing this Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster before and in my humble opinion, it blows the 2026 Harley Sportsters off the showroom floors. The new owner got it for $13,500.
Giant Showroom: The Mecum Showroom is like no other motorcycle marketplace. This is the biggest motorcycle shop in America for 5 days every year. Mecum also offers finance and transportation services. Look close. There has to be a bike for you in there.
Schoolboy Crush: I was 11 years old when this bike rolled off the Harley-Davidson assembly line. That’s an impressionable age and I would love this bike in my garage. Went for $18,700. If it runs as good as it looks, that was a steal.
Hero Worship: So cool to run into the legendary Maico Factory rider out of Texas, Steve Stackable. Steve won the 1975 500cc Supercross Championship. He was the guest of SoCal Maico.
But Why?: I have at least 100 more lots I could show but you are just going to have to make plans to attend next year. Gonna leave you off with this…whatever it is. Went for $8,250.
