Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

It's pretty complicated.

Here are some of the factors I think are in play.

One, no offense to most of you, but I've suspected that the current owners of these bikes are "aging out" and collections are being sold off, thus flooding the market. Some/most who may inherit these bikes don't care about them or don't know what to do with them.

The economy is pulling back greatly all over. High interest rates mean that some collectors aren't going to put their money into hard goods when you can make way more in other ways. Layoffs are rampant. Plus there is a great unsettling as the US comes into an election year.

All to say the prices did surprise me but as I stepped back they made some sense.
 
Yes, there seemed to be an unusual number of collections going over. Couldn't help but think these are older collectors who are thinking there is s decline coming and decided to stike while the Post Covid iron is hot.
I'm still having an issue with the H2 prices. A bike that the dealer could hardly give away, it wasn't a great M/C, its also wasn't as bad as reviewed.
Must be the Mystic of 'The Widowmaker.' Being bought with no intention of being ridden.
 
Mecum bikes, high price and many have a suspect history. Yes, we get the queries here post auction about the bikes.
 
There wasn't enough Capt. America tribute bikes (and at $30k????)
 
The generational "wave" that lifts and drops prices is so true. A beautiful 1970 Datsun 240Z going for 60K? Someone my age would say you should have bought a late '70's 911. But then again, I remember my older brother telling me what a rube I was to purchase "Bridge of Sighs" when I could have bought "Are You Experienced?" He did end up borrowing Robin's triumphant LP from me though...memories!
 
seanalex said:
wow $8k for a rocket gold star. and 25k for the Manx. The sky is falling. https://www.mecum.com/lots/1108934/1963-bsa-rocket-gold-star/?aa_id=533308-0

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas
Click to expand...
Dam! Love that Goldie and affordable.
 
I know people interested in Norton/Triumph/BSA who were not yet born in 1976 and even more that were under 10 in 1976. Several of them got their first bikes in their early 40s and the bikes were older than them. So, I'm wondering how many Norton lovers on this site are old enough to have ridden a Commando when they were available for sale new.

Logically, those of us in the late 60s or older will die off soon and those with a lot of bikes may well have them auctioned off. In my case, my stepson would fight his sons (all in their 20s) for my bikes if I died now - no auction as they all have//want Nortons and Triumphs with a smattering of BSA dirt bikes.

So, the market may shrink, but then the supply is shrinking (bikes being destroyed/parted out) so I think there's a future, just like there are people who collect bikes that weren't available when I was born.

That said, it will likely never be profitable to restore and sell old bikes except for auctions where things are way overpriced for the non-auction market.
 
I was 11 in 1976. I sort of remember Commandos.

In my view there will always be a market for these bikes, until it gets too difficult to find fuel.

At the moment, I have 2 mid '70s bikes, for fun riding and projects in my garage. I have one modern for long trips and bad weather. I really fancy a 1930s sprung saddle, hardtail British single. As my workshop skills develop, that may be a possibility. Obviously, they weren't what I rode when I was a kid, nor what I lusted after then. My interest has developed over time and exposure to influences.

The continuing availability of spares and fuel will determine whether these old bikes remain practical. If they're practical, they will be wanted by the next generation. There's always enough dreamers and misfits. :)
 
ILLF8ED said:
Greg,

”Logically, those of us in the late 60s or older will die off soon”
I was planning on another 18 to 20 years based on my grandfather making 93 years.….I was a ‘53 baby ;)
Click to expand...
Close to my thoughts. My grandfather married his third wife when he was 70 and she was 17. He slowly gave her five children. His first two wives died in childbirth but all three combined gave him 23 his last was born when he was 84 and he lived to 90. My great grandfather had 21 children and all three wives died in childbirth. He made it to 90 as well. My great great grandfather (slacker) only had 19 children and his three wives all died in childbirth - don't know how long he lived. So good genes. However, my mother's father died at 45, her brother at 59, my father at 64, and my mother at 68 - there went my good genes!

Oue source for US males:
  • Asian males: 81.2 years
  • Hispanic males: 74.4 years
  • White males: 73.7 years
  • Black males: 66.7 years
  • American Indian/Alaskan Native males: 61.5 years
Here's a CDC summary: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220831.htm

In the past 11 years, I've been admitted to the hospital 8 times (died once, nearly died twice). Have had three major surgeries as an outpatient, smoked a LOT until 1993 when I quit cold turkey, and so on - listening to doctors I'm on borrowed time already - I don't believe it, but I'm hoping for 80 because I think if I get there in not much worse shape I might make 85.

The real question is not how old but how old while still viable.
 
marshg246 said:
Close to my thoughts. My grandfather married his third wife when he was 70 and she was 17. He slowly gave her five children. His first two wives died in childbirth but all three combined gave him 23 his last was born when he was 84 and he lived to 90. My great grandfather had 21 children and all three wives died in childbirth. He made it to 90 as well. My great great grandfather (slacker) only had 19 children and his three wives all died in childbirth - don't know how long he lived. So good genes. However, my mother's father died at 45, her brother at 59, my father at 64, and my mother at 68 - there went my good genes!

Oue source for US males:
  • Asian males: 81.2 years
  • Hispanic males: 74.4 years
  • White males: 73.7 years
  • Black males: 66.7 years
  • American Indian/Alaskan Native males: 61.5 years
Here's a CDC summary: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220831.htm

In the past 11 years, I've been admitted to the hospital 8 times (died once, nearly died twice). Have had three major surgeries as an outpatient, smoked a LOT until 1993 when I quit cold turkey, and so on - listening to doctors I'm on borrowed time already - I don't believe it, but I'm hoping for 80 because I think if I get there in not much worse shape I might make 85.

The real question is not how old but how old while still viable.
Click to expand...
Mart UK said:
I was 11 in 1976. I sort of remember Commandos.

In my view there will always be a market for these bikes, until it gets too difficult to find fuel.

At the moment, I have 2 mid '70s bikes, for fun riding and projects in my garage. I have one modern for long trips and bad weather. I really fancy a 1930s sprung saddle, hardtail British single. As my workshop skills develop, that may be a possibility. Obviously, they weren't what I rode when I was a kid, nor what I lusted after then. My interest has developed over time and exposure to influences.

The continuing availability of spares and fuel will determine whether these old bikes remain practical. If they're practical, they will be wanted by the next generation. There's always enough dreamers and misfits. :)
Click to expand...
Just today I saw a blurb about Mecum selling a bike for a lot of money and having to give the buyer their money back because of possibly altered/missing numbers.
 
All of those televised motor vehicle auctions with the babes jiggling around and the screaming dummies in the audience with the glaring stage lighting and the TV cameras pointed at you sure does build up a real level of excitement.
Even with all that glitz and distraction, they all still have one basic element to consider and remember...these auctions are established, managed and manipulated by used car salesmen.
The lipstick on a pig scenario.

My dad took me to a used car dealer one time when I was 17 to look at some car I was in love with. That one visit with my dad as a consultant saved me a lot of money then, and now.
Once again, thanks dad.
 
Last edited:
One of the guys who showed up at our last club meeting picked up this Commando at the auction. I didn't think it was a horrible price, there's a $500 auction fee and then shipping. Apparently it takes a while for them to ship all the bikes out.

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

1970 Norton Commando for Sale at Auction - Mecum Auctions

View the 1970 Norton Commando for sale at Las Vegas Motorcycles 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada as F271.
www.mecum.com www.mecum.com

Winning bid was $6,050. A little high but it's an S.
 
swooshdave said:
One of the guys who showed up at our last club meeting picked up this Commando at the auction. I didn't think it was a horrible price, there's a $500 auction fee and then shipping. Apparently it takes a while for them to ship all the bikes out.

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

1970 Norton Commando for Sale at Auction - Mecum Auctions

View the 1970 Norton Commando for sale at Las Vegas Motorcycles 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada as F271.
www.mecum.com www.mecum.com

Winning bid was $6,050. A little high but it's an S.
Click to expand...
What is an "S"?
 
swooshdave said:
One of the guys who showed up at our last club meeting picked up this Commando at the auction. I didn't think it was a horrible price, there's a $500 auction fee and then shipping. Apparently it takes a while for them to ship all the bikes out.

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

Mecum Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas

1970 Norton Commando for Sale at Auction - Mecum Auctions

View the 1970 Norton Commando for sale at Las Vegas Motorcycles 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada as F271.
www.mecum.com www.mecum.com

Winning bid was $6,050. A little high but it's an S.
Click to expand...
Not sure about it being an 'S', but it does have what appears to be original, angled in head pipes as they exit the head.
This is how the 750's were done. These would have been on the 'Roadster.' Could have been changed out.
Not till the 850 with the cross over did they exit straight out.
 

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