Mecum Auctions

Don’t all motorcycles have partially ground off s/n’s on the headstock ?
Who “ discovered “ the problem?
Oh boy ….
 
concours said:
Powder coating over the VIN, then sanded off, creating more skullduggery.
Click to expand...
Beyond the tampering with the serial number what’s up with powder coating ? Doesn’t sound like the restoration of an original finish…
 
Richard Tool said:
Beyond the tampering with the serial number what’s up with powder coating ? Doesn’t sound like the restoration of an original finish…
Click to expand...
That topic is a sacred cow.....

The "polish and shine restorers" seem to favor it.

This auction was an example of the potential to go poorly.
 
Isn't the auction house supposed to preview and establish credibility of goods sold before presenting it for auction?
Deceptive sales never get in the way of cash flow at such events.

Off topic.
I had a riding buddy in 1974 who bought the Kawasaki 900 Z1.
He let me ride it. The acceleration/power/response of that motorcycle was terrifying.
That fall he scared himself so badly riding it that he put it in under a tarp in the back of his garage and bought a VW bug.
I wish I knew where that bike was now.
 
Lineslinger said:
Isn't the auction house supposed to preview and establish credibility of goods sold before presenting it for auction?
Deceptive sales never get in the way of cash flow at such events.

Off topic.
I had a riding buddy in 1974 who bought the Kawasaki 900 Z1.
He let me ride it. The acceleration/power/response of that motorcycle was terrifying.
That fall he scared himself so badly riding it that he put it in under a tarp in the back of his garage and bought a VW bug.
I wish I knew where that bike was now.
Click to expand...
My Uncle Reggie, explained to me as I transitioned from a 60cc to a 175cc bike: "just turn on what you need, don't need to always use it all"
Veteran Sea-Bee, and full tilt speed addict.
Stayed with me.
 
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concours said:
Usually, there is more to the story.

Another example of children left unattended in the workshop.

www.hagerty.com

Questions Raised, and Answered, About Kawasaki Sold at Mecum Auction - Hagerty Media

Questions were raised about a highly collectible Kawasaki Z2 sold at a Mecum auction. Mecum shared their answers with us.
www.hagerty.com www.hagerty.com
Click to expand...
“Miss Jones -“
“ Yes sir Mr . Mecum ? “
“ Get me damage control right away - tell them we need a story about altered serial numbers- “
 
Written by a collector and a regular at the Mecums auction-

"Mecums auction action. By your poorer editor.
Well folks, it has arrived. The trickle of bikes offered for sale has been steadily increasing as the hue and cry of the grey brigade becomes “I need to down size”. While writing this I am listening to Deep Purple’s “Lazy” a song I thought was written especially for me WHEN I WAS A TEEN. Alas we have all been riding the crest of youth well past what our parents were able for which I am grateful, my father was trailered by my current age and I just pushed all 100 of my motorcycles out into the California sunshine, a matter of 14,900 steps my Apple 11 tells me (oh that phone is soooo 2012 gramps).
Which brings me to the auction. Sitting next to my friend Bob in his mobility cart (a man who 3 years ago built a 2 story house by himself) I was reminded where the 2000 bikes on offer at this auction came from. We who recall when the new BSA’s were announced every December or who went to see Dick Mann at Daytona are rapidly approaching the end of our riding (or pushing) bike days.
When I see a “No reserve” on a bike it tells me the owner is now beyond caring and the next of kin are eager to get the cash, whatever that may be. There is faint love of these old chariots of freedom among our kids (or grandkids). For many of us the freedom of youth has become the stone around the neck of age.
And so it was inevitable that prices would reflect the decreased audience for these lovely old ladies. As the collectors begin to release their treasures through choice or other reasons, no room at Shady Acres for a motor Bike sir, the law of supply and demand takes charge. The prices at Mecums reflect this perfectly. In short the prices were a fraction of 5 years ago and off even from last years event.
It is not however all bad news. In reality I am one of the greedy SOB’s who have hoarded these bikes along with hundreds of my fellow enthusiasts. But now bikes are dropping to prices that a younger rider might even be willing to spend to teach an old dog new tricks. They do what we did. They cut the fenders and toss the mufflers. We old folks disparage the sacrilege of which we were all once guilty. Like a deacon at church we project our disdain while having been guilty of the very same sins. We wring our hands and wonder who will take over these old bikes when the Born Free motorcycle event attracts 10,000 plus attendees.
So I applaud the drop in prices and see it as a way to indeed keep these bikes in circulation. I am personally tired of inflating 200 tires every February when the BSA club comes to see my dragons hoard. It is time to stop seeing these bikes as an investment. This auction certainly demonstrated that! Time to revisit our youth when the bikes represented freedom and our individualism. And don’t disparage a young person when they do the same.
As to pricing, you will need to have an account with Mecums to access the sale prices, but here are a few.
All BSA: 69 Victor $3850, 69 Royal Star $3850, 57 Gold Star flat tracker $7700, 56 Gold Star scrambler $5500, 39 M24 Gold Star $14,000 69 Rocket 3 $8,800, 57 Gold Star flat track with history $ 6600 (your editor bought this one), 1959 DBD34 $6600, 63 Rocket Gold Star $8800, 1960 DBD34GS $11550, 1960 Spitfire Scrambler $14300, 1929 500 $9900, 65 BSA A65T $3300, 66 Spitfire $5500, 69 Rocket 3 $11500, 1950 M20 w/sidecar $9900, 1970 Lightning $8800, 1934 Blue Star $24200, 1936 Empire Star $18500, 62 Golden Flash $7700, 65 Royal Star $4400, 59 DBD34GS $7700, 67 Spitfire Mk3 $7150, 62 Super Rocket $9900
Similar prices for most British brands. The Japanese bikes were in their glory as are the people who rode them, being younger and now with more disposable income and time. Fancy a Kawasaki H2? I had a brand new one in 1973. It will set you back $30K+ now.
2000+ Harley dressers were the biggest looser though. Fancy a nice touring twin cam 1200. $3500 will buy a perfect example. Or how about an older Indian? Bidding averaged around $25000 although many went unsold.
It was a grand time watching my collection halved in value but it does enforce the thought that these never were investments. They are and always have been consumables produced by factories to be ridden until they could no longer go and be replaced. These were never intended to be objects of worship or hoarding. This auction was a stark reminder. So enjoy your bikes. Take a ride while the sun still shines. And when you can’t ride anymore then give them away or sell them cheap to a kid who will be just like you were in 1969."
 
worntorn said:
Written by a collector and a regular at the Mecums auction-

"Mecums auction action. By your poorer editor.
Well folks, it has arrived. The trickle of bikes offered for sale has been steadily increasing as the hue and cry of the grey brigade becomes “I need to down size”. While writing this I am listening to Deep Purple’s “Lazy” a song I thought was written especially for me WHEN I WAS A TEEN. Alas we have all been riding the crest of youth well past what our parents were able for which I am grateful, my father was trailered by my current age and I just pushed all 100 of my motorcycles out into the California sunshine, a matter of 14,900 steps my Apple 11 tells me (oh that phone is soooo 2012 gramps).
Which brings me to the auction. Sitting next to my friend Bob in his mobility cart (a man who 3 years ago built a 2 story house by himself) I was reminded where the 2000 bikes on offer at this auction came from. We who recall when the new BSA’s were announced every December or who went to see Dick Mann at Daytona are rapidly approaching the end of our riding (or pushing) bike days.
When I see a “No reserve” on a bike it tells me the owner is now beyond caring and the next of kin are eager to get the cash, whatever that may be. There is faint love of these old chariots of freedom among our kids (or grandkids). For many of us the freedom of youth has become the stone around the neck of age.
And so it was inevitable that prices would reflect the decreased audience for these lovely old ladies. As the collectors begin to release their treasures through choice or other reasons, no room at Shady Acres for a motor Bike sir, the law of supply and demand takes charge. The prices at Mecums reflect this perfectly. In short the prices were a fraction of 5 years ago and off even from last years event.
It is not however all bad news. In reality I am one of the greedy SOB’s who have hoarded these bikes along with hundreds of my fellow enthusiasts. But now bikes are dropping to prices that a younger rider might even be willing to spend to teach an old dog new tricks. They do what we did. They cut the fenders and toss the mufflers. We old folks disparage the sacrilege of which we were all once guilty. Like a deacon at church we project our disdain while having been guilty of the very same sins. We wring our hands and wonder who will take over these old bikes when the Born Free motorcycle event attracts 10,000 plus attendees.
So I applaud the drop in prices and see it as a way to indeed keep these bikes in circulation. I am personally tired of inflating 200 tires every February when the BSA club comes to see my dragons hoard. It is time to stop seeing these bikes as an investment. This auction certainly demonstrated that! Time to revisit our youth when the bikes represented freedom and our individualism. And don’t disparage a young person when they do the same.
As to pricing, you will need to have an account with Mecums to access the sale prices, but here are a few.
All BSA: 69 Victor $3850, 69 Royal Star $3850, 57 Gold Star flat tracker $7700, 56 Gold Star scrambler $5500, 39 M24 Gold Star $14,000 69 Rocket 3 $8,800, 57 Gold Star flat track with history $ 6600 (your editor bought this one), 1959 DBD34 $6600, 63 Rocket Gold Star $8800, 1960 DBD34GS $11550, 1960 Spitfire Scrambler $14300, 1929 500 $9900, 65 BSA A65T $3300, 66 Spitfire $5500, 69 Rocket 3 $11500, 1950 M20 w/sidecar $9900, 1970 Lightning $8800, 1934 Blue Star $24200, 1936 Empire Star $18500, 62 Golden Flash $7700, 65 Royal Star $4400, 59 DBD34GS $7700, 67 Spitfire Mk3 $7150, 62 Super Rocket $9900
Similar prices for most British brands. The Japanese bikes were in their glory as are the people who rode them, being younger and now with more disposable income and time. Fancy a Kawasaki H2? I had a brand new one in 1973. It will set you back $30K+ now.
2000+ Harley dressers were the biggest looser though. Fancy a nice touring twin cam 1200. $3500 will buy a perfect example. Or how about an older Indian? Bidding averaged around $25000 although many went unsold.
It was a grand time watching my collection halved in value but it does enforce the thought that these never were investments. They are and always have been consumables produced by factories to be ridden until they could no longer go and be replaced. These were never intended to be objects of worship or hoarding. This auction was a stark reminder. So enjoy your bikes. Take a ride while the sun still shines. And when you can’t ride anymore then give them away or sell them cheap to a kid who will be just like you were in 1969."
Click to expand...
Somewhat reflects what has always been my renegade investment strategy- buy high , sell low .
Could be in my favor though - maybe soon I will be able to pick up an E type Jaguar for $ 10- $15 k … hope springs eternal.
 
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