Antique Motorcycle Club, Magazine Features: Roll The Dice! The 17th Annual MidAmerica Las Vegas Auction

Magazine Features

	Roll The Dice! The 17th Annual MidAmerica Las Vegas Auction By AMCA Staff "Built from the finest parts available," read the description. This is a tip-off. This 1906 Thor Racer was Thor in engine only. It sold for $37,500. Lot # 23 (Click image to see full gallery) With over 500 machines in this year's auction no one would contest Ron Christensen's claim, "World's Largest Vintage Motorcycle Auction." Some might question Ron's definition of the word "vintage" though. Regardless, this was perhaps the best organized motorcycle auction "sin city" has seen to date. Held again at the South Point, this hotel offers reasonable room rates (for a weekend in Vegas) and a number of fine restaurants wedged between the slot machines and crap tables. The auction takes place in a large, modern convention center directly behind the hotel. No need to even step outside, and we didn't for three entire days. This very nice, first series, 1959 Triumph Bonneville sold for $21,000, once the reserve came off. Lot #33 Once again the Club supplied volunteers to assist MidAmerica pushing the bikes from the display area to the auction block. Board member, Jim Moore, and his wife Marie, spearhead the recruitment of volunteers and did a fine job. They even convinced their two sons, Jeff and Mike, to lend a hand. In Jeff's case this didn't require much arm twisting as he had a BMW listed. The new owner of this 1938 Indian Four can start making a list of the parts needed to correct it. If you're not concerned about originality, it sure looks good. Lot #40 Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. things got rolling after food and drinks were served, perhaps intended to put the bidders in a "happy place." Seventy-five machines were listed for Thursday evening's start but one was a no-show. Of the 74 that went across the block, all but eight sold. A very impressive percentage. We're not sure how this stacks up against total sales on Friday and Saturday but an 88 percent success rate looked good to us. The auctioneers "worked" the bikes more this year, holding each one just a bit longer, reaching for those last few dollars. In many cases the bidders seemed only too willing to oblige. Quality machines, and ones that sparkled, went for top dollar. "Prices are strong, bikes are selling for retail," said Randy Baxter, of Baxter Cycle, in Marne, Iowa. "I haven't been able to buy any because there isn't any margin for me." Randy also mentioned that Ron Christensen had made some improvements this year: two big screen TVs, one showing the bike, the second displaying the current bid with a description of the machine. We also noticed a wall-size color backdrop behind the auctioneer's table which tidied things up. "Ron is doing a good job," were Randy's final comments before he dusting off his bidder's number and hit the floor. Looking like some Medievil warrior, this 1955 Vincent Black Prince brought what many would consider a king's ransom, $64,000. Lot #166 AMCA member, Somer Hooker, had a slightly different take on things. "Prices are a little soft this year. MidAmerica has changed things a bit to keep the lower priced machines out." We noticed that also. Somer continued, "I think the quality of the machines is higher this year. If you don't have a bike that can sell for at least four to five thousand, it's not worth your effort. " And his final thoughts? " Buy low and sell high!" he said with a smile. What could a small 200cc German bike be worth? To some collectors a lot! This 1952 Adler was restored by a former factory employee and topped out at $7,500. Lot #132 We counted 68 different brands at this year's auction. Almost the entire alphabet was covered. From ABC to Yamaha all that was missing was a Zundapp to round things out. Unlike last year, Harley was at the front of the line in terms of total bikes listed although Triumph ran a very close second. An AMCA 99-point bike this 1952 Panhead appeared worth every penny of the $29,000 required to take it home. There was a brief description with each bike, some informative, a few quite funny. One of the latter was a clean, garden-variety 1975 Honda CB 550. The first line read, "New battery." Jeff Moore said that's like trying to convince your buddy to date your sister by saying, "She's got a great personality." But a new battery must have struck a chord with some bidders because that 550cc Honda found a new home at $4,250. Panhead, Cyclemotor, Panhead, Cyclemotor, decisions, decisions. For another $3,500 the new owner of this 1913 Cyclemotor could have been riding a Panhead. Lot #133 Without at least some basic knowledge of the make and model you desire, an auction can be a dangerous place to buy a bike. This fact was driven home when what looked to us like a correct, 1938 Indian Four, sold for $50,000. Later we asked Indian expert, Rocky Halter, of Rocky's Antique Parts in Massillon, Ohio, what he thought of this classic American Four. "Just the big things? Wrong headlight, the rear fender has been cut off at the front, it should have distributor ignition instead of a magneto and, oh yeah, the horn is from a truck." Glad we didn't bid on it. The lesson here is, do your homework or think about hiring a professional to look it over. Like Sgt. Phil Esterhaus said on Hill Street Blues, "Let's be careful out there." Like most years, there were some standouts at the 2008 Vegas auction. Pictured here and on the club's website are a few notables. You can also match up the lot numbers to get the full machine description at MidAmerica's website: www.MidAmericaAuctions.com © 2008 AMCA