Huge Harley collection to be auctioned by Manshed Auctions this November

Off the back of their very successful auction of a major Harley-Davidson collection in June, Manshed Auctions are hosting another huge Harley collector’s auction on 8-9 November, 2025. With almost 800 lots on offer, this single vendor auction is even bigger than the last one, with pre-bidding open now. 

Along with literally thousands of parts, mostly from the pre-Evo era, this auction includes Harley-Davidson collectables and ephemera, like owner’s manuals, brochures, accessory catalogues and periodicals, plus historic issues of the AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America) newsletter.

There are six complete Harleys in this auction, including a very desirable 1938 Model EL knucklehead, ’46 F knucklehead, an ex-police 1952 FL Hydra-Glide panhead, FLH Electra-Glides from the 1960s and a 1983 FLH Electra-Glide full dresser tourer.

The vendor, who wishes to remain anonymous, is not directly connected to the motorcycle industry, but is widely regarded as one of Australia’s best and most innovative practitioners in his field. A long-term interest in bikes, and Harleys in particular, saw him spend decades building a collection, acquiring bikes and parts from all over the USA, as well as here in Australia. As with the June Harley Collection auction, it’s only the vendor’s need to downsize that has led to this clearance.

Assisting with the cataloguing and reserve guides for the 793 lots on offer is Mark Austin, who many will remember as the head of Pacific HD Trading Co. Seeing the results that Manshed Auctions achieved with the June Harley Collection auction, Mark recommended the vendor choose Manshed to handle his sale. Mark oversaw the refurbishment and servicing of some of the bikes in the collection, so knows them intimately.

It’s also worth noting that Manshed Auctions conducted the successful clearance auctions for Pacific HD and Redfern Motor Parts back in 2019, along with the auction at the annual Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend.

Special Six

Of the six complete bikes in the 8-9 November auction, the oldest is a 1938 EL knucklehead (Lot 610). With its overhead valve 61ci (989cc) v-twin, the Model E represented the next evolution of Harley-Davidson engineering when it launched 1936. This 1938 example benefitted from what had been learned from the knucklehead’s first two years on the market, so things like the oil sealing, clutch operation, gearing and brakes were all improved. Available as a standard compression Model E for sidecar use, or the high compression Model EL for solo riding, the auction bike is one of the latter. Restored in the US using an OEM frame and tinware, subsequent work on this EL was done by Pacific HD. Rare parts on this bike include a 6-inch air cleaner, genuine 1937 saddlebags and a restored 1939 saddle.

Expected to be the top selling bike in this auction, pre-bidding on this ’38 EL knucklehead was already up to $70,000 at time of writing.

A later knucklehead is also on offer in the form of a 1946 Model F (Lot 580). Added to the range in 1941, the Model F was a big brother to the Model E, running the same OHV v-twin, but with a larger 74ci (1207cc) capacity.

Coming from the knucklehead’s penultimate year on the market (the panhead replaced it from 1948), this example has the correct hand-shift 4-speed transmission, bullneck frame and revised steering head angle for a’46 Model F, along with rebuilt wheels, OEM tinware, a rebuilt speedo and genuine badging. The fitted fender extensions are rare accessories, with the seat an equally rare Milco item.

One of the more interesting bikes in the collection is the 1952 FL Hydra-Glide panhead (Lot 192) that was formerly a police bike in Ohio and has been restored in that livery. The restoration, by AMCA member Mark Masa in the USA, retains a lot of the C1950s patina, along with the police lights and sirens, 2-way radio, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and other equipment.

This bike was imported into Australia by the vendor 16 years ago, and remains largely as it arrived here.

Of the pair of early Electra-Glides in this auction, the oldest comes from 1965, the model’s first year on the market, with the other from 1968. The debut year for the Electra-Glide also marked the last year for the panhead engine, with the shovelhead introduced in 1966 – still of 74ci capacity, but completely redesigned. Along with electric starting, the FL big twins also sported a new carburettor (from 1966), more durable fuel lines and other minor improvements.

The ’65 Electra-Glide (Lot 202) is finished in attractive Black and Birch White, with complementary period panniers and a touring windscreen with the accessory bag and distinctive tinted lower section. All mechanical parts are ’65 correct, with a centre stand and dash-mounted choke control amongst the fitted factory options.

Repainted, but otherwise original, this first-year Electra-Glide was sitting at $20,500 in pre-bids at time of writing.

The 1968 FLH Electra-Glide (Lot 430) is arguably the most visually arresting bike in this auction, with its striking metallic blue paint, white touring accessories and whitewall tyres. Being a 1968 model, this FLH is largely unchanged from the previous three years, with a revised clutch, new instrument panel and lighter oil pump the only notable changes. It’s all the add-ons that make this bike look so different from the ’65 model, like the ‘Batwing’ fork-mounted faring (which was actually introduced for 1969 models), buddy seat with backrest, and Tour-Pak luggage. The oval air cleaner is period correct, but likely a reproduction.

Sold new in Minneapolis, this bike came to the vendor via a friend of the original owner, and has only 7,500 miles on the odometer. Pre-bidding was up to $30,000 at time of writing.

The sixth bike in this auction is a 1983 FLH Electra-Glide (Lot 41). While big twin production for 1983 was almost half that of the previous year, there were still some new features, like a rubber-mounted version of the 80ci v-twin, and a five-speed transmission for the FLH that had been introduced on the FL-based Tour Glide in 1980. While the four-speed transmission, as fitted to this bike, continued to be available, a toothed final drive belt was introduced and remained standard until the introduction of the Evo engine.

Finished in Indigo Blue, and fitted with a ton of touring accessories, this Electra-Glide is described as an ex-police parade bike, with low (3,094) mileage, service history and abundant paperwork included.

Parts Cornucopia

The Harley parts in this auction are too extensive to list, covering everything from exhaust flanges to seat pans, instrument covers to tail light brackets, and triple trees to centre stands.

There aren’t any complete engines, like in the June auction, but plenty of engine parts, like primary covers, genny covers, fuel lines, oil tanks, pan and knuckle cylinders, carburettors, valves, pushrods and cam followers, to name a few. A big selection of cosmetic parts, like tank badges, fender guards, ‘Glo Brite’ bolts and shift lever knobs, are also on offer.

Buyers are advised to check the lot listings for the parts, as some consist of a single item. This means you’re potentially saving money by not having to buy a job lot of springs, for example, when you only need one.

Harley collectables for the man cave include brochures, accessory catalogues, paint tins, AMF-era radios in the shape of oil tins, spare parts in period packaging, cast iron models, a Milwaukee factory security guard’s badge and even Harley-branded coffee! There are also a number of tools available for the Harley enthusiast to use in their home workshop, like a chain breaker, gudgeon bush press, chain oiler, shock adjuster, engine stand, wheel cleaner and more.

Pre-Bidding Open Now, Auction on 8-9 November

The Manshed Auctions sale of this huge Harley-Davidson collection is open for pre-bidding ahead of the auction, which will be held on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November. Bidding will get underway from 9:00am each day - online and on-site at Manshed’s premises in Seven Hills, Greater Western Sydney. Day 1 will include lots 1 to 399 and Day 2 lots 400 to 793.

Inspections are available by appointment – contact Manshed for details.

For further details, call: 0499 099 906, email: [email protected], or go to: manshedauctions.com.au