with auctioneers sounding like they came right out of old south speaking at an unending rate of delivery that makes your head hurt . Fortunately , both auctions use large screen projections of the bike on the block at the moment ( all are available for up close preview prior to the event ) and a large overhead digital display shows the bid amount as it changes and indicates if it has a reserve and when it has been reached this helps the sensory overloaded audience to actually follow the action .
The bikes that go to the block are staged in an unending line with runners to move them into position and then off . In all but the most complex bids , bikes are on the block , sold and then run off the stage in no more than 2-3 minutes . Such speediness was necessary ; Mecum ’ s processed more than seven hundred motorcycles in two-and-a-half days , compared to Bonhams presentation of just over two hundred in one full day of bidding .
If you are bidding and do not give your complete attention and focus to the auction because if you blink the auction will be over and that bike you had to have – your bike — will be gone .
In both events , bikes are listed in a printed catalog ( free from Mecum ’ s but $ 50 cost from Bonhams ) as well as posted free on their websites in advance so buyers have a chance to preview the offerings . In spite of the good prior presentation through print media and online , there is nothing like walking into a room the size of a football field and seeing over seven hundred awesome motorcycles at Mecum ’ s and just over two hundred at Bonhams--it really gets the blood flowing .
Perhaps the best part is that even if you are only just there to watch the action , seeing these bikes all in one place is like going to the National Motorcycle Museum or Barber ’ s to get to be up close and personal with such a huge catalog of marques and types . In fact , you have a very comprehensive collection from A ( Adler ) to Z ( Zundapp ) and bikes in-between . Some motorcycles have shown up that I have never even heard of before , or only know from motorcycle legend and folklore . I would say that it seems a good entertainment value at $ 25 / day viewer fee ( or 3 day /$ 60 ) for the Mecum Auction is reasonable .
Since the auction is a pretty random distribution of marques and types you are not endlessly bored with an array of similar bikes but experience American , British , Italian , German , French , Spanish and more in every flavor from street , Enduro , motocross , hill climb , TT Flat track , experimental and beyond . If you get bored here , you really should seek professional counseling .
Ok , down to the action now . Bonhams had some really nice rare bikes like turn of the century Harleys and Indians but it also included a lot more “ common ” content like 1960 – 1970 + era Triumphs , BSA ’ s and Italian marques . The most expensive bike sold in that auction was a rare 1951 Vincent White Shadow that sold for a premium price of $ 464,000 . To give you a point of reference many really clean nicely restored mid-60 + British bikes were going for anywhere from $ 4,500 to $ 9,000 which is pretty much market rate on the streets these days . Overall , Bonhams sold in excess of $ 5 million worth of motorcycles at this event !
Mecum ’ s on the other had some surprises for the buyers including a number of Vincent ’ s of various years and models were there as well as a couple of Brough Superiors . There were many old turn of the century ( 1900-1912 +) Harleys and Indians as well as a complete spectrum of more modern versions from the 1920 ’ s to late 1950 ’ s of these American marques to choose from .
Again , without any sense of reason or logic , it seems that bikes you expect to sell for $ 100,000 plus were going for only a few tens
14 Thunder Roads Magazine ® Colorado February 2016 www . thunderroadscolorado . com