This weekend, Mecum is coming back to Vegas to sell some motorcycles. There are 402 lots, so let’s see what’s in store. This time around, I’m just going to feature a few weird ones, and a few aren’t even really motorcycles:
1. 2008 Propeller-Powered Trike – several bikes in this auction are from the collection of Jim Lattin, the “former president of the Southern California Timing Association…and former chairman of the Bonneville Nationals Board”. He has some interesting bikes in this auction, and most of my features today are from his collection. Jim built this himself in 2008, and whoever wrote the description for Mecum is a king or queen of understatement as the listing says “not good on hills” – though this oddball has carried a 300 pound rider before.
2. 1887 High Wheel Bicycle – another bike from Lattin’s collection, this is an older restoration and Mecum’s reminds you that it’s not for highway use!
3. 2004 Arlen Ness Luxury Liner – originally built for Otis Chandler (the publisher of the LA Times from 1960 to 1980), this was painted to emulate the Sunoco Porsche livery. It’s been displayed at the former Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife, the Petersen Museum, and in the ‘Art of The Motorcycle‘ exhibition at the Guggenhein Museum. It was also featured in Michael Lichter’s book, Arlen Ness: The King of Choppers, a copy of which is included in the sale.
4. – The “Salt Shaker” – built by California Fritz, this bike held a world land speed record for 5 years straight. Per Mecum, the fastest it clocked was 215 miles per hour in the 2,000cc SPG full body class. The current motor is “not race ready” as it is “incomplete”. Fritz’s website says he is “still holding two [records] at Bonneville Salt Flats over 228 MPH with a single engine Shovel Head on pump gas.”
5. 2017 Ducati Scrambler Icon Custom by GRIME – this is the first of a Ducati in-house customization called “Maverick”, in which the Italian firm asks “maverick artists” to customize the Scrambler. This was done by GRIME, who is apparently a celebrity tattoo artist that has a waiting list of three years. There’s obvious cosmetic work done but there’s also mechanical upgrades like Andreani fork cartridges, Ohlins rear shock, custom Termi exhaust, and more. Get ready for PR speak: “it successfully merges the world of motorcycling with that of tattooing, bringing together titans of separate industries for creative expression.” Ugh.
Still, I think it looks cool and the auction proceeds are being donated to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, which is great!
For more details on the auction, click here. For the full listing of bikes, head on over to Mecum! What’s your favorite lot?