2010 MidAmerica Vintage Motorcycle Auction

By John Landstrom
Published on March 30, 2010
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The 2010 MidAmerica Vintage Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas.
The 2010 MidAmerica Vintage Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas.
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Lot 120: 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, Condition 2 — Sold for $11,000.
Lot 120: 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, Condition 2 — Sold for $11,000.
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Lot 389: 1914 Jefferson Twin, Condition 2 — Unsold at $70,000.
Lot 389: 1914 Jefferson Twin, Condition 2 — Unsold at $70,000.
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Lot 197: 1969 Triumph T150 Trident/Gene Romero Tribute, Condition 2 — Sold at $20,000. A faithful replica of Romero’s 1970 Daytona race bike (down to the Danny Macias frame), Romero raced this bike at the 2008 Sandia Classic.
Lot 197: 1969 Triumph T150 Trident/Gene Romero Tribute, Condition 2 — Sold at $20,000. A faithful replica of Romero’s 1970 Daytona race bike (down to the Danny Macias frame), Romero raced this bike at the 2008 Sandia Classic.
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Lot 342: 1953 Indian Chief Roadmaster, Condition 2 — Sold at $33,000. Restored by Indian specialist Bill Starklite for his own use.
Lot 342: 1953 Indian Chief Roadmaster, Condition 2 — Sold at $33,000. Restored by Indian specialist Bill Starklite for his own use.
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Lot NOON2: 1942 Sarolea Magmotor, Condition 5 — Sold for $7,000. Hustled by History Channel’s Pawn Stars.
Lot NOON2: 1942 Sarolea Magmotor, Condition 5 — Sold for $7,000. Hustled by History Channel’s Pawn Stars.
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Lot 125: 1969 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide, Condition 3 — Unsold at $19,000.
Lot 125: 1969 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide, Condition 3 — Unsold at $19,000.
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Lot 200: 1926 Harley-Davidson replica 8-valve FHAC board track racer, Condition 2 — Sold for $49,000.
Lot 200: 1926 Harley-Davidson replica 8-valve FHAC board track racer, Condition 2 — Sold for $49,000.
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Lot 175: 1968 Munch Mammut, Condition 2 — Sold for $78,000. Top bid four months ago was $56,000.
Lot 175: 1968 Munch Mammut, Condition 2 — Sold for $78,000. Top bid four months ago was $56,000.
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Lot 151: 1963 Harley-Davidson KRTT, Condition 3 — Sold for $23,500.
Lot 151: 1963 Harley-Davidson KRTT, Condition 3 — Sold for $23,500.
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Lot 376: 1913 Flying Merkel, Condition 2 — Unsold at $55,000.
Lot 376: 1913 Flying Merkel, Condition 2 — Unsold at $55,000.
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Lot 253: 1966 BMW R50/2, Condition 5 — Sold for $20,000. Daily rider, restored by BMW specialist Tim Stafford.
Lot 253: 1966 BMW R50/2, Condition 5 — Sold for $20,000. Daily rider, restored by BMW specialist Tim Stafford.

Interest in classic bikes remains strong, a fact amply proven at the annual MidAmerica Vintage Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas where 388 — 76 percent — of the 509 motorcycles that crossed the block Jan. 7-9, 2010, found new homes.

Although attendance was down slightly this year, it was pretty much business as usual in Vegas and, as usual, Triumph was the most prolific brand, underscoring the continued popularity of Fifties and particularly Sixties Triumphs.

Triumphs enjoyed a better than average sales ratio compared to other makes. Of the 82 Triumphs in the auction, only 12 failed to sell, a strong 85 percent sell through. Compare that to Indians, with 34 Indians in the auction but only 16 sold, giving a sales percentage of less than 50 percent for the Springfield twins and fours.

So in a down economy, do the Triumph sellers simply have more realistic expectations of what their bikes are worth? That might be part of it, although it doesn’t hurt that interest in Triumphs also remains high. Further, Indian prices are significantly weaker than three to five years ago, meaning many Indian owners are looking at taking a loss if they sell in today’s market, and most are trying hard not to lose any of their investment.

Harleys, on the other hand, fell between the two, with 47 of 64 offered, or 73 percent, finding new owners. Top price for a Harley-Davidson was $49,000 before buyer’s premium for a 1926 replica 8-valve FHAC board track racer.

Overall, European bikes appeared to hold their value better than their American counterparts. One little known but much revered European motorcycle is the peerless Munch Mammoth, or “Mammut” as it’s called in its creator’s mother tongue, German.

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