The Vegas Auction
"Batter Up!"
By AMCA Staff

Every dog must have its day and from the results of this year's MidAmerica Las Vegas auction that lucky dog would have to be British bikes with an unprecedented 74 Triumphs this year. Even the home team, Harley-Davidson, couldn't field more players with a starting line up of only 63. In total stats, Triumph, BSA, Norton and Ariel put more runs on the board with an overall average of 99% machines sold to Harley's 79%.

Thursday evening started off a bit slow, but after the $50-a-plate dinner, which benefits the Clark County Museum, it soon picked up. Bidders were pacing themselves for the two frantic days ahead. By Friday morning's 10:00 a.m. start it was becoming clear that there would be winners and losers in this game, and the old guard, mid to high-dollar American machinery might not fare too well. Early on, a freshly restored 1970 Triumph Bonneville saw the gavel hammered down to the tune of $13,250. Not a high water mark but an indication that last year's record prices for Bonnevilles was no flash in the pan. This Meriden twin was soon followed by a tidy '68 Matchless G80CS which fetched $10,000. Milwaukee wasn't about to take this lying down and fought back with a $33,000 bid on a 1939 Knucklehead but headed back to the dugout, failing to reached its reserve. Next player up, a switch hitter. This 1941 Knucklehead Bobber knocked one out of the park at $34,000.

It's not all peaches and cream. Hot bidding drove this 1913 Pope into the mid $30s but it fell short of it's $40,000 reserve.

Team Vatican was in for some disappointment when their unrestored 1913 Pope racer ran out of steam in the mid 30s. Its reserve was 40 large. The Belgian farm club sent up a stunning 1913 FN that showed some promise but began to falter at $48,000. MidAmerica's coach, Ron Christensen, walked to the mound for a talk with the owner. Once the reserve was dropped the FN cleared the bases at $58,000! Through all this, other players were racking up impressive stats of their own. Charlie Finney's world-class, 1970 Yamaha XS650, which was featured on the Club's 2006 calendar, signed for $8,500, while a hard-driving agent netted $25,500 for a 1939 Indian Junior Scout. Top dollar you say for one of Springfield's minor league players? When we asked two scouts, no pun intended, we received two differing points of view. Blood, Sweat & Gears Editor, Steve Blancard, rolled his eyes and said it was crazy money, while long-time club member and Vegas auction veteran, Robert Diegal, said casually,"It was a right value for such a finely restored machine." After hearing these wildly differing opinions we, thought it was time to head up to the box seats and ask a few fans what was on their score cards.

Yet another Triumph Bonneville. Shiny bikes sold, original paint bikes had a tough time getting on base.

The "Commissioner" (AMCA President) Pete Gagan comment on this year's prices was, "British bikes are up a bit, especially Triumphs, while Harleys and Indians appear to have made a downward correction, or, are just static." Scott Chantland's comment was clear, "The big money stuff isn't selling but the Triumphs are holding their own and it looks like we're coming to the end of the custom bike craze. Prices are crashing... Yes!" Harsh words. Could the Teutuls be headed to the minors?

Harley guru David Monahan's take was, "Prices appear to be off on some bikes but the premier pieces are still bringing good money." He felt Triumph sales were strong but cautioned that by Saturday there would be more bikes than buyers. An opinion that wasn't borne out by the numbers. Back on the field an excellent restored 1972 Kawasaki H2 found a new home for twelve five! Was there no end to the American team's market correction? But just when all seemed lost a little known player from Ohio was set to knock one out of the park. Cleveland Four stepped up to the plate, drew a bead on the pitch and pounded it to the $71,000 mark. A record for Friday's game.


"Is it live or is it Memorex?" A few early Harleys and Indians, not necessarily from Milwaukee or Springfield, were in attendance. Once the reserve was dropped it sold.

Back in the crowd, Steve Slocombe, Mr. Harley VL, advised us to look in at the motorcycle corral (unsold machines). "It's full of American bikes. I'm thinking of getting out of Harleys and into Triumphs." He was just joking of course, at least his customers hope so. When we asked Dave Minerva for his thoughts he was concise. "The middle stuff, $20 to $50,000 is soft. You can't finance your purchase (with a 48 month loan) like you can at a Harley dealer." He also shared his Bigger Idiot theory with us. "Two guys, who are not that knowledgeable, start bidding on a bike. As they hammer away at each other they keep thinking, 'I'm only over paying by one bid,' and so they continue to go at each other and end up paying 23 grand for a 10 grand bike."

Finally, for a reality check on British bikes we approached Randy Baxter, of Baxter Cycle, www.baxtercycle.com, the man for England's finest. "Prices are real comparable to last year. Triumphs are holding steady. I brought 10 bikes to sell and they exceeded my expectations. They sold for more than I could get in my own shop. Just look at the number of Bonnevilles in the auction!"

In case you're getting the feeling that the American bikes just can't make the cut, put those fears aside. On Saturday, late in the day, a 1941 Crocker hit a grand slam, all $230,000 of it. Take that, jolly old England!

There you have it, sports fans. Just like action in the South Point Casino there were winners and losers. For a play by play visit the MidAmerica Auction web site: www.MidAmericaAuctions.com.

We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the AMCA's role in this show. Like first and third base coaches, 48 club members spent a good part of the weekend pushing bikes onto, and off of, the stage and staffing the club booth. No small task as some of these players were overweight. With a shortage of volunteers this year there was no time for a seventh inning stretch. If you attend the auction next year consider lending us a hand.

Triumphs ruled the day. If a reserve was picked correctly, or no reserve at all, they ran up good numbers and sold.


At $33,000 this 1939 Knucklehead hadn't met its reserve and ended up in the corral.


Gold Star indeed. This Jim Hiddleston assisted restoration stunned the crowd with a winning bid of $30,000.

Volunteers at 2007 Las Vegas Midamerica Auction
Motorcycle Wranglers & AMCA Booth Staff
Coordinated by Jim Moore

Bob Adair
Rick Bernard
Matt Blake
Sharon Blancard
Steve Blancard
Dennis Craig
Phil Cusmano
Kathy Dhue
Ray Dhue
Johnny Eagles
Pete Gagan
Terry Gambill
Jack Gormley
Tim Graber
Paul Greenwood
Scott Hall
Rocky Halter
Rich Hardmeyer
Red Fred Johansen
Paul Joswick
Jim Kirby
Guy MacEwan
Bob McClean
Ray Miller
Jeff Moore
Jim Moore
Marie Moore
Mike Moore
Jim Mosher
Rick Najera
Myron Pace
Jerry Richards
Trudi Johnson-Richards
Wanda Schumacher
Steve Slocombe
Gary Smalz
Bob Speer
Wayne Stormer
Kevin Valentine
Sue Valentine
Ed Van Rossen
Dale Walksler
Matt Walksler
Toney Watson
Steve White
Dick Winger
Wanda Winger
Sara Winter