Mecham Vintage Motorcycle Auction Jan. 21-26

[Mailman]

Yeah, there were several that sold for just crazy money relative to their worth. Probably someone that wanted one for a long time.
Here’s that rare Honda 450 I was curious about,

How about these prices? This is supposed to be a famous Knucklehead, completely original and untouched, the subject of a book and several articles.

Brough Superiors always bring big money.

 

[59Tebo]

Wow! Sorry, Mm. I can't count that high. It makes me wish I had a time machine, go back, and buy this stuff for a song. Back then, they were practically giving them away (certainly not six figures!)....

 

[motormike]

I've been ck'n in on the results.. wish I had ck'd them out before the auction.. I would have sign'd up.. there was a Mexican Police Cushman... when cheap... dang.
Most of the bike prices wasn't a surprise... a few where...the Cl450 Honda.... DANG ! … local fellow had one for $8000.oo... there's "Proxibid "....they sell everything..... somethings the buyers fee is.. 20%.. add shipping. Also Minnesota has found my wallet VIA Ebay purchases….

 

[member28833]

Mechum Auction Las Vegas 2017 story here. This was real funny. I flew myself alone to attend that auction for a birthday gift to myself. Stayed near the South Point Casino for 3 days of drooling over the Motorcycles and it was so good. movin along here..
About the middle of the auction early evening, Saturday I think, a flurry of beautiful British bikes were going by and one in particular caught my eye. An Orange trimmed Cream White Triumph 650, 1963. Being of 1963 myself I decided to get up and walk over to the "sold" line up to look that Triumph over one last time. When I approached it there in its place, there were two Gents, still drinking beers, and discussing the recent purchase bid win When I realized the new owner was right there of course I congratulated him. "Would you like to buy it?" Was his response? Not exactly what I expected. You see, as those two guys were in the stands goofing around one of them bid, he thought, on the next bike. A very beautiful Brit single of some sort I do not exactly remember. But his mistake in timing the bid bought him the 63 Triumph by accident ! Over $20 K that was on the wrong bike lol.. these two weren't really very concerned as it seems they were able to absorb this financially still smiling and having fun.
That experience was actually very positive and I'll not forget it.
The bike there that I wished I could have bid on was an old "Indian" (not) Royal Enfield 650 twin. Wasn't too expensive but a very appealing parallel twin.
-R

 

[MrBultaco]

Little Honda's brought some CRAZY money too.
These auctions are a reality of you wanting to sell your bike..mostly wanting big money. The XS2 you posted had a sale price of $6000. The buyer will have to pay $6600 which includes the buyer premium. The seller will net $5400 with his seller premium. The 2 guys should have gotten together long before the auction and worked out a deal. I would bet they would have agreed to a price of $6000, therefore saving each $600. Of course you have to figure out the price getting to the auction and shipping. I still watch them...thinking, well, I would buy that car/bike for that price.

 

[Mailman]

Barrett Jackson just wrapped up its big annual car auction in Scottsdale here a couple of weeks ago and you can see people here trying to circumvent all the fees associated with going to the auction itself. Collector car listings on Craigslist just explode here for about a month surrounding the auction. They’re fun to read through.

 

[Mailman]

Mechum Auction Las Vegas 2017 story here. This was real funny. I flew myself alone to attend that auction for a birthday gift to myself. Stayed near the South Point Casino for 3 days of drooling over the Motorcycles and it was so good. movin along here..
About the middle of the auction early evening, Saturday I think, a flurry of beautiful British bikes were going by and one in particular caught my eye. An Orange trimmed Cream White Triumph 650, 1963. Being of 1963 myself I decided to get up and walk over to the "sold" line up to look that Triumph over one last time. When I approached it there in its place, there were two Gents, still drinking beers, and discussing the recent purchase bid win When I realized the new owner was right there of course I congratulated him. "Would you like to buy it?" Was his response? Not exactly what I expected. You see, as those two guys were in the stands goofing around one of them bid, he thought, on the next bike. A very beautiful Brit single of some sort I do not exactly remember. But his mistake in timing the bid bought him the 63 Triumph by accident ! Over $20 K that was on the wrong bike lol.. these two weren't really very concerned as it seems they were able to absorb this financially still smiling and having fun.
That experience was actually very positive and I'll not forget it.
The bike there that I wished I could have bid on was an old "Indian" (not) Royal Enfield 650 twin. Wasn't too expensive but a very appealing parallel twin.
-R

Ive always thought that auction would be a blast to attend. I read an article in one of the motorcycle mags years ago, one of the writers went there with the intention of buying this BMW R90S that he always dreamed of. He got it, but was disappointed that it was not as ready to ride as advertised! After paying top dollar for it.