HARLEY OUTFIT MAKES $41K AT US AUCTION

Top seller amongst the motorcycles was a 1923 Harley-Davidson Model JS v-twin, which went for US$41,250. A sidecar-specific version of the Model J (hence the 's' addition to the name), the lot on offer featured a rare 'Royal Tourist' sidecar and was painted in period-correct 'Brewster Green' with gold striping, the same colour scheme applied to all Harleys from that year. Well-equipped, this 60ci f-head engine example also had a Corbin speedometer, electric lighting, rare factory amp gauge mounted on the tool box and a rear-mounted spare on the sidecar.

When this particular motorcycle was new, Harley-Davidson dominated the US motorcycle landscape. Other brands were still in existence, but sold only a fraction of the colossus from Milwaukee. By the mid-'20s, Harley-Davidson's sales figures nearly doubled Indian's, and the company has held its position as the number-one American motorcycle company ever since. The RM Auctions catalogue noted that this motorcycle had been on static display for a number of years, so was only offered on a bill of sale, meaning it was not road registerable.The selling price was within the pre-auction estimate of US$40,000 - $60,000.

Behind the '23 Model JS, the next-best selling Harley was a 1941 EL 'Knucklehead', which made US$34,100. Fully restored, interesting features on this example included period-correct 'superior' twin exhausts, and unusual 'Flanders' bar risers. Immaculately finished in Skyway Blue paint, this was a high quality restoration of one of the most popular Harley-Davidson pre-War models.

Other Harleys from this auction included a1912 single and a pair of VLD v-twins from 1934 and 1936. The 1912 single had been restored for static display only, and had previously been part of a large US collection. Often referred to as the "Silent Gray Fellow" Harley, this early example was one of four different single cylinder models available in 1912, all of which were 30ci in capacity, with iron pistons as standard. This particular bike featured magneto ignition and a single-speed belt-drive with pulley adjustment, meaning there was no clutch or transmission. All 1912 models, including v-twins, also featured a new frame design which lowered the riding position and allowed for a sprung saddle. The 1912 single's unknown mechanical condition may have been a factor in it only making US$27,500 against a pre-auction estimate of US$40,000 - US$60,000.

Of the two VLD examples from this auction, the 1936 model was the most "striking", with its maroon and Nile Green paint. A generator-equipped version of the VL 74ci v-twins, the VLD also featured high compression pistons. The restored example consigned for the RM Auctions' event also featured period-correct saddlebags and solo seat. This VLD sold for US$24,750, while its 1934 companion made US$27,500, in the higher end of its pre-auction US$20,000 - US$30,000 estimate. Arguably more aesthetically pleasing than its companion, the restored 1934 VLD was finished in Teak Red and black, and featured a period-correct horn and Corbin speedometer.

Other motorcycle lots of interest from this auction included a 1913 Excelsior Autocycle model 7C, which sold for US$38,500. Like the rest of the bikes on offer, the Excelsior was also fully restored, strikingly finished in red and grey paint, with white rubber tyres. The 7C was the biggest Excelsior offering for 1913, a time when the Illinois-based company was the USA's third largest motorcycle manufacturer behind Harley and Indian. The '7' indicated an 819cc V-twin engine, while the 'C' suffix indicated a chain final drive instead of belt. Like the Harleys and Indians, the Excelsior was restored and fitted with period accessories, including acetylene head and tail lights (fed by a Prest-O-Lite gas bottle) and large, claxon-style horn.

A 1911 Wagner was the oldest motorcycle on offer, and made $22,000. Apart from the bold red paint finish, what was interesting about the Wagner was its unusual frame design. The additional downtube not only added strength to the machine, but also served as part of the exhaust, aft of the engine.

A pair of Indians completed the offerings from the RM Auctions Amelia Island event. A restored 1939 Sport Scout in stock spec just exceeded its pre-auction estimate to sell for US$35,750, while a 1947 Chief, restored five years ago, made US$30,800. Like all the other motorcycles from this auction, the Indians were offered at No Reserve, which goes partway to explaining the seemingly low prices these machines attracted.

Compared to some of the car lots on offer, the bikes were an absolute bargain. Top seller amongst the cars from this auction was a 1929 Cord, which sold for US$2.42 million, followed by a 1934 Packard, which made US$2.2 million. A trio of Ferraris all made over US$1 million, as did a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 and 1930 Bugatti, while a 1941 Chrysler Newport parade car scraped into the six-figure sales bracket, but failed to meet its US$1.5 million reserve. Total sell-through rate was 88-percent, which equated to round US$23 million in sales.

For full results and more details from this auction, go to www.rmauctions.com