Motorcycle auction shows diversity exists in the two-wheeled world
Hear the words “motorcycle auction” and you may conjure up images of big, burly, two-wheeled brutes rumbling down the block.
Many such machines could be found at last week's Mecum Auctions event at the Schaumburg Convention Center. However, that was not all.
Scattered throughout the hundreds of well-known makes were all kinds of off-the-wall finds: from the wild to wonderful, the petite to peculiar. Here are some of my favorites.
1947 Doodle Bug Scooter with sidecar
One ride as cute as a bug's ear was this 1947 Doodle Bug Scooter with sidecar. The Doodle Bug debuted during World War II and was made by Beam Manufacturing out of Webster City, Iowa. Production only lasted two years (1946-48). It was a cheap runabout and helped many get around during a time of decreased automotive production. The Bugs were powered by a 1½ horsepower gas engine sold at auto supply stores. Someone was bitten by a love for this fully restored example and paid $4,000 for it.
1965 Harley-Davidson FL (pink) & '59 H-D FLH (blue)
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are certainly no stranger to collector events such as this, but what struck me about this pair was how dang adorable they looked park side by side. Both were from the same vintage, sported whitewall tires and, on top of that, matching sidecars. The best part was their sunny pastel paint hues, one sporting coral and the other robin's egg blue. It wasn't enough to win buyers over as bidding stalled at $25,000 and $22,000, respectively.
1952 Maico Mobil 175
German company Maico wanted to revolutionize 1950s travel. Its Mobil 175 wasn't to be seen as a mere touring motorcycle but a “car on two wheels.” Underneath the futuristic, land-speeder-like bodywork was a tubular steel frame. Tucked in the lower body panels was a glove box and space for a car radio. It packed some nifty suspension tricks, too, making for a machine that looked like a scooter but handled like a motorcycle. The 1952 example was restored in Germany and left with a new owner who paid $24,000 for it.
1953 NSU scale model
At just a tad over 24 inches, this 1953 NSU had to have been the smallest bike up for sale. Despite the diminutive dimension, it packed some big-time fun. The minute machine was a factory cutaway scale model and featured a moving piston, illumined lights and flashing spark plug. This particular piece had been preserved by a former NSU worker in Germany. Its charisma and charm weren't enough to garner a new home. Bidding stopped at $5,000.
Simplex Servi-Cycle
Just as every car has a story, rest assured every bike has one, too. I'd love to hear the full tale behind this 1940s-era Simplex Servi-Cycle. All that was displayed is info alluding to a very crafty farmer. Apparently, during the 1950s, he took his bare-bones Servi-Cycle and fabricated a Ford Model A-like cowl for it, complete with headlamps and horn. The bike packed loads of character and patina but lacked one major thing: desirability. The bidding stalled at $3,000.
1965 Sears Compact
In its heyday, the printed Sears catalog was the tangible equivalent of Amazon.com, containing nearly any product consumers could dream of. During the 1960s, buyers could order cool modes of getting around, such as this 1965 Sears Compact. It retailed for $279 and packed a 3.9-horsepower engine, capable of around 100 miles per gallon. This cherry example was recently restored and attracted a new owner, who paid $1,800 for it.
1912 Flying Merkel Board Tracker
Taking the title of the top seller was this 1912 Flying Merkel Board Tracker. It sold for $65,000.