The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auctions Part 2: The Mecum Extravaganza

Feb 1, 2017

The Mecum Auction audience in Las Vegas at the South Point Resort

Thousands of motorcycle lovers watched as rare bikes were auctioned at the Mecum Auction

The famous motorcycle auctions held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, are a chance for any motorcycle enthusiast to view, study, and even purchase some of the rarest and coolest bikes in the world. In part 1 of this mini-series, we looked at the stately British auction presented by the historic Bonhams Auction Company.

Kenny Roberts' flat tracker at the Mecum Auction in Las Vegas at the South Point Resort

Kenny Roberts' flat tracker was a star of the auction

Held at the same time, just eight miles away in Sin City’s South Point Resort and Casino was the decidedly American Mecum Auction. The Mecum Auction is a much larger event that spans a full four days, and features more than four times the motorcycles offered up at the Bonhams Auction.

The Mecum auctioneers are louder and more aggressive, the bikes are peddled in rapid-fire fashion, and the motorcycles are as diverse as you could imagine. There were ultra rare, unrestored pieces of historical rolling art auctioned off for north of $100,000, as well as more recent and more common bikes that fetched winning bids well below $1,000.

King Kenny's Yamaha wears a K&N performance filter

A notable percentage of the bikes featured at the Mecum Auction were offered on the block wearing K&N filters. With the Bonhams Auction, we focused on over-the-top customs. Now let’s take a quick look at a spectrum of race bikes that were offered at the Mecum Auction. Each of these racers trust their protection and performance to K&N filters.

1976 Yamaha OW 72 Flat Track Racer

This 750cc racer was ridden by Kenny Roberts. How’s that for a legendary ride? The bike is in original, as-raced condition. The Shell 750cc Yamaha racing engine features flatslide carbs that breathe through K&N pod filters. It’s a legendary racer protected by legendary filters.

A K&N filter helps this 1991 Harley-Davidson® XRTTpump out 120 HP

1991 Harley-Davidson® XRTT

This one-of-a-kind, hand-built street racer features a 120 horsepower S&S V-twin featuring a 45mm Mikuni carburetor. That carb breathes through a K&N performance filter. That performance is transferred to the ground through a Zipper’s 5-speed transmission. The exhaust is handled with a stainless SuperTrapp system.

1967 Greeves Scottish Trials

This 1967 Greeves Scottish Trials is an original classic and runs a K&N filter

This very cool vintage European competition racer is most recognized by it leading link front suspension. The Greeves was a fixture on the racing podiums of the 1960s and early 1970s. This original condition beauty wears a K&N pod filter to protect that vintage power plant.

1971 Honda SL350 Racer

Classic lines, a Sonic Weld frame, and K&N protection on a SL350 racer

This beautiful little dirt racer is built around a Sonic Weld frame. The classic Honda 350 runs through a 5-speed transmission. Of course that iconic parallel twin gets its clean air through free-flowing K&N filters.

1997 Harley XR750 Dirt Track Racer

Arguably the most famous of the Harley racers, the XR750 is the stuff of flat track legend. This example features a custom C&J frame and side-mount Penske racing shock. The power-built V-twin breathes through two large K&N filters that offer the Harley loads of air and reliable protection.