Mecum Auction Results

Here are a few results from the Mecum auction in Vegas this week. The first four bikes had no celebrity attachment, just bikes owned by typical lunch box joes.

In this bunch of bikes is one owned by Malcolm Smith.

Apart from the celebrity owned bikes it’s hard to see the sellers making much profit on these bikes. Quality restorations are not cheap - especially if you pay for the labour. We do it for love and fun don’t we!

What is the commission? At least 10 % I would guess. Is there a buyers premium as well so those prices are not the real out the door price. Sales tax in Nevada?

One cable network has those auctions a certain channel. I only have seen it once for motorcycles, like most auctions way at the end there are some unrealistic low prices. There were some toaster tank BMW going for 5-600. I think they had some motox Suzuki ridden by a big name and it was in the thirty thousands.

How about Wood auctions they used to specialize in motorcycles it seemed. Do they still do the Daytona bike week auction?

Are these really lunch box joe's bikes or someone's collection getting liquidated in order to settle their estate?

I think its 10% so yeah add another 10% to the price.

Check out this over priced 450WR. Its missing the following stock components; tank, controls, inner fender carburetor, intake manifold, fork seal dust caps and clamps. The frame has been modified with the addition of home made swingarm gussets. The chrome chain guard is damaged.

I'd say the seller really made out well on this.

Did Malcom Smith sell his bike? Or did someone else own it? Wondering.

Almost two decades ago I sold a ‘72/250wr that needed paint, the motor was rebuilt for $750 with a parts bike.

Not sure why the 72' 250 wr went so low, it costs about $1K to run one across the block so that owner only got $2K, maybe the wrong fenders had to do with it.

That's a good point, something I hadn't considered. I view this particular bike as a refurbish job than a true restoration. Evidently the bidders thought so as well.

I wonder what the sellers obligation is to mention any mechanical problems with the auctioned bike. Bummer to get your $12,000 dirt bike home and find it doesn't have a transmission.

I sold a clean unrestored 1970 DT1 enduro at that auction a couple years back, as I remember you fill out details on the bike, there is no starting after you turn the bike over to them, just looking. I'm sure there are repercussions of some kind if you misrepresent the bike. There seems to be a lot more off road and enduro bikes there now. My DT1 sold for $4K, by the time I paid Mecum and paid for the trip I about broke even on the deal, had fun tinkering with it though. You have to be well informed about prices if you are going to win at their game.

Each used bike we purchased has a unique story. Does that count when they auction it.?

Example. My ‘77 Husqvarna 360wr I purchased from the Adams Family. It’s true Lurch owned it, you can’t make this stuff up. You had to be there.

#2 Husqvarna 83/250wr I purchased from the wife who divorced her husband. It was his.

Same thing when we buy used parts. If a ignition is for sale I ask did you check it to see if it works? If they did I make a decent offer. If they didn’t see if it worked then I low ball the offer. I ask about returning it too.

Don’t forget if your bike runs, it’s all orginal your sitting on gold. Where will the prices be in ten years?

What stops the seller from lying about the ignition working? Some sellers are completely clueless about what they are selling. Best to do is to know how to test it yourself with a multi tester

How do I test SEM and Motoplat ignitions?

http://www.uk-motoplat.com/testing.html This link has some info for you Bill, I have several unchecked old Moto Splatt that start easily, I have several repaired by Bradford Ignitions and a new system from Andy at HVA, I also have a box of SEM and Moto Splatt that are only good for fishing weights!

I could be wrong, but.............in searching my favorite Craigslist cities for vintage Huskys, there seems to be fewer posted than before the auction. Maybe people are going to hoard more than before.

I’m seeing used parts climbing. Used ignitions for $200+. I might as well buy new.

Stormer254, thanks.

Jeff Ward's last SR250 works bike was sold at the Mecum Auction for $49K. I was surprised that Kawasaki put it up for auction. They seemed so serious about honoring the works history by preserving the works bikes that brought them to where they are today.

It’s all about the money right? There cashing in on the fame to get the fortune. Forget history.