From outside came the sounds of motorcycles, their vroom! vroom! blasting the Sunday morning air like thunder. It was motorcyle auction day and the guys were out.
Inside, about 50 to 75 men by themselves, men with buddies, men with girlfriends and just the curious crowded around about a dozen motorcycles, mounting them and chatting about them. Many of the bikes were just gorgeous: Shiny black with chrome accents. Black with red and gold accents. Burgundy with gold and black accents. Alongside were dirt bikes, jet skis and accessories.
The atmosphere was like static electricity, buzzing, cacophonous. I’m not much of a motorcycle person but I was curious. I also have to admit that even though I’m afraid to ride the things, I just can’t walk past a beautiful bike without giving it the once-over and admiring its power. I have a friend Robert who bought a motorcycle this year and would’ve fit in here quite well.
The star of the auction was a 1975 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide. 1340 cc Cruiser. #1601 of 2000 produced. 45,000 miles. 30th anniversary edition. Chrome accessories, side bags, custom grips, front fairing, accent lights, driving lights. All of this is according to the auction house.
“Great bike, folks,” the auctioneer intoned. “It’s a first edition. … You won’t find it anymore. It drives beautifully, folks. Look at all that chrome.”
It sold for $8,000. From the looks of it, it was worth the money. The buyers at this sale couldn’t just ride off into the blue yonder with their purchases. They had to wait until the titles could be changed over to them.
The other sales:
– 2005 Yamaha Road Star Silverado. 1600 cc Cruiser. 7,345 miles. After the auction, I saw a buyer load this bike and another onto his truck, imprinted on the side with his company’s name and logo. He obviously wasn’t here to buy for himself. $5,250.
– Honda Shadow. 2,104 miles. “I rode this thing and it rides really well,” the auctioneer said. $3,500.
– 2000 Confederate Hellcat. 1744 cc Sport Cruiser. $5,000.
– 2007 Kawasaki KLR650. 650 cc Dual Sport. 276 miles. “Runs and drives like new,” according to the auctioneer. $2,750.
– 2002 Triumph Daytona 955i Sportbike. 100-year anniversary edition. 955 cc. 5,340 miles. “It’s an anniversary issue, folks,” the auctioneer reminded. $2,000.
– 1998 Honda Dirt Bike. 200 cc. $1,200.
– 1978 Honda CB550 Four-K. 550 cc Old School Cruiser. $500.
– 1978 Yamaha X5400. 400 cc. 917 miles. Not running. “It could be a ’75,” the auctioneer said. What you see is what you get. $120.
– 1971 Honda Mini-Trail. 50 cc Child Dirt Bike. A collectible, vintage, according to the auctioneer. “Great condition. I haven’t tried to start it,” he said. $75.
– 1984 Elite. Tan color. “It sat in a woman’s garage. She used to take it out in the afternoon, to church and back,” joked an auctioneer. Amazingly, it did remind me of the stereotypical car that sat in a garage, barely driven, but kept clean and mechanically sound. It was in very good cosmetic condition. Later, I chatted with the man who bought it as he checked it out. He didn’t come to the auction to buy a motorcycle, he said, but bought this one on a whim. He mentioned that he had a fused spine. He was likely thinking that he could ride this one without aggravating his back. $375.
– Large cargo trailer (name on side: Chicago South Trailer) with side doors. $4,250.
– 2004 Harley Fat Boy, Customized. The auctioneer really talked this one up: 2,526 miles, security system. Retail $32,000. No, a man shouted from the crowd, adding that it was worth only $12,000 to $16,000. For a few minutes, the man and the auctioneer went back and forth on the retail cost. Finally, the head auctioneer stopped the sale. Cold. I’m not sure whatever happened to that cycle. It’s the one at the top right of this post.
Also for sale were: two jet skis ($175 each), several helmets ($10-$55), child shin guards ($7), goggles ($16), along with shoes and Harley Davidson books (Read the history of Harley Davidson).
After the auction, buyers began paying for their new bikes and leaving. The curious drifted off to the other auctions. The room slowly quieted down. And outside again were the sounds of motorcycles as riders revved up and vroomed away.
