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Highly Anticipated 2023 Mecum Auction Report

by Bandit with photos from Mecum and Micah McCloskey Are We Doomed or Kickin’ Ass? Some feel the Las Vegas Mecum Motorcycle Auction is the Devil Incarnate. The money-making desire to flood the market with almost 2000 Vintage motorcycles in an unpredictable inflationary period could destroy the motorcycle industry and return us to where we started—grubby bikers. Others were excited to find bits and pieces to complete vintage projects. Some wanted to sniff the action for clues to future sales. The Bikernet investigative team, which we can’t name included builders, brokers, collectors, racers and celebrities. Click to Read the full photo feature report only on Bikernet.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Support the Bikernet.com fraternity – Join the Cantina – click to know more

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Extremely Rare 1908 Harley Strap Tank Auctioned for $850,000

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com It’s one of the finest examples of this model known to still exist in 2023. When you’re talking about highly collectible motorcycles, there are a few makes that consistently come up. Vincent. Brough Superior. Henderson. Occasionally, a rarity among rarities makes its way to the auction block, such as a Crocker Big Twin, or, if you’re really lucky, a Harley-Davidson Strap Tank. The latter extremely rare machine is what just took the honor of the top-selling bike at the 2023 Mecum Las Vegas auction, and one of the coolest things about it is that it’s lived in Wisconsin for its entire life. As you can see in the video, as the bid amount quickly increased into the high six figure range, it still hadn’t met reserve. When it got to $850,000, the seller decided to lift the reserve—and indeed, that’s the selling price at which this pristine, beautifully restored, 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank crossed the stage. Under Mecum’s listing of its top ten bikes from this auction, it gives the total price (including all applicable fees) as $935,000. For those unfamiliar, the Strap Tank is most definitely one of the most important models in Harley history—if not the most important. This model is what evolved from William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson’s initial shed builds, and was the first model to roll out of the Chestnut Street—later Juneau Avenue—factory. It quickly established a reputation for the brand’s builds that endured through the decades. As the story goes, 150 Strap Tanks rolled out of the factory in 1907, increasing to 450 in 1908. Of those 450 bikes produced in 1908, fewer than a dozen are thought to still exist in 2023—and far fewer in as correct a condition as this one. What makes this particular example

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The Punishment Bikernet Weekly News for January 26, 2023

Click Here to Read the Weekly News only on Bikernet.com We sold out of my second book “OUTLAW JUSTICE.” I’m in the process of having it set up on Kindle, so I can print more. But I do have some posters of the cover art by Eric Herrmann. The next two-year Cantina Member gets a poster as part of his or hers bling package. The poster is signed by me and Eric. In the meantime, keep building oily motorcycles and riding free. –Bandit The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Support Bikernet.com Content and Get Free Bling along with 25+ years of Online Archive of Custom Culture. Click to View Cantina Membership Options

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Revised Edition: Estate Planning for Motorcycle Collectors

by John Stein with edits from Bandit and John Martinisko Or what might happen to your beloved bikes when you’re not around Note: I’m not pretending that this is the definitive work on winding down your collection or living your life. But if it gets you to at least consider what steps should be taken, and how, the article will have done its job. As motorcycle fanatics, we’ve all laid awake nights wondering how we could add to our collections. At some point in our lives, doing exactly the opposite probably makes more sense. The reason, of course, is advancing age while hanging onto a deeply misguided belief that our family shares our passions. Click Here to Read the revised article on Bikernet.com P.S. The previous version of this ‘priceless’ article was published on Bikernet.com dated March 2022. To view the same, click here. For more ‘valuable’ information and news, follow Bikernet Free Weekly Newsletter, referred below. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Stay updated, stay ahead of the curve. Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter from Bikernet Blog for free. Click and Get Going….

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Harley-Davidson Kicks Off 120th Anniversary

HARLEY-DAVIDSON KICKS OFF 120TH ANNIVERSARY WITH REVEAL OF 2023 MOTORCYCLES Limited-Edition Anniversary Models Plus Four New Motorcycles MILWAUKEE (January 18, 2023) – A year-long celebration of 120 years of Harley-Davidson pride and craftsmanship was launched today with the introduction of the first release of new models in the 2023 Harley-Davidson® motorcycle lineup, including the CVO™ Road Glide® Limited Anniversary model and six additional limited-edition motorcycles featuring exclusive 120th Anniversary commemorative paint, finishes and details. The 2023 offering from the world’s most desirable motorcycle brand includes a refreshed Harley-Davidson Breakout® performance cruiser model, the exciting Road Glide® 3 trike model, the new Nightster® Special middleweight sport motorcycle, and a restyled and blacked-out Freewheeler® trike model. The complete line of 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Genuine Harley-Davidson® Accessories and Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® gear and apparel are now available at authorized Harley-Davidson® dealerships and can be viewed at H-D.com. “Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has pioneered American motorcycle design, technology, and performance, and today marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “We’re excited to share the first release of 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, with more to come later in the year. 2023 is going to be an unforgettable milestone for the Company, celebrating the history, culture and community of Harley-Davidson – we hope you can join us.” 120th Anniversary Models The very limited-edition, super-premium CVO™ Road Glide® Limited Anniversary model celebrates 120 years of craftsmanship with one of the most intricate paint schemes ever offered by Harley-Davidson. Panels of Heirloom Red are applied over a base coat of Anniversary Black, each outlined with a bright red pinstripe and a hand-applied gold paint scallop. Subtle details added within the panels portray the head and wings of a soaring eagle. The gold-plated tank medallion depicts an Art Deco

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