This Harley gas tank was signed by Sting, Don Henley and Sir Elton John and sold for $1,495.
Meat Loaf-signed Harley gas tank, $690.
Bonhams & Butterfields sold rare and collectible motorcycles and motorized bikes recently during its first-ever motorcycle auction featuring Harley-Davidson, Indian, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Triumph, Norton and models by other makers.
Nearly 150 celebrity-signed Harley gas tanks kick-started the auction with autographs of AC/DC, Johnny Cash, Peter Fonda and Meat Loaf of interest to collectors and enthusiasts.
Bidding was international, according to the auctioneer, with many clients participating on the crowded auction room floor as well as via telephone from the United Kingdom and Europe, from throughout California, New York and the Southeastern United States. The sale totaled nearly $700,000 and included multiple strong prices realized for rare and immaculately restored vintage bikes.
Bonhams & Butterfields motor car department director Mark Osborne said, “We were delighted with the turnout, many clients riding their bikes to the sale and rows of motorcycles taking parking spots outside of the showroom. It was a thrilling sight that attracted much attention from the Sunset Boulevard traffic.
Three Harleys consigned by Los Angeles Lakers Karl Malone each found new owners: his 1999 Road King bringing $16,100, “the Mailman’s” 2002 anodized silver VRSCA V-Rod selling for $15,813 and his 1996 FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Guide sold for $13,800.
Other top motorcycle and prices realized include: a 1948 Moto Guzzi Gambalunga racing motorcycle formerly owned by racing legend Enrico Lorenzetti, presented in concours condition, sold to a private US collector for $50,600; a circa 1949 Moto Guzzi Dondolino racing motorcycle presented in excellent condition, $39,675; a 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead from the first year of the model’s production, sold to a private US collector for $29,325; and a fire red 1938 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead from the Collection of James Pflueger, which also sold for $29,325.
The auction also included property from the Harley-Davidson Café, a Manhattan hangout for celebrities, sports figures and VIPs prior to closing its doors. Many rock, pop, rap and country and western stars, comedians, actors and actresses and others signed and inscribed colorful Harley gas tanks, which were then exhibited throughout the restaurant. These gas tanks, now considered celebrity memorabilia by collectors, were sold Saturday; they stemmed from the Gotta Have It! Collection.
Popular with the Harley-loving crowd were gas tanks bearing the autographs of Meat Loaf ($748) and Wolfman Jack ($633). The Rolling Stones gas tank gave a bidder much satisfaction ($690), and gas tanks signed (separately) by Winona Judd, Jacqueline Bisset, Brooke Shields and Microsoft founder Bill Gates saw frenzied bidding battles. A delighted client paid $748 for a gas tank autographed by members of AC/DC while another bidder paid $546 and took home a gas tank signed by hip-hop record producer and performer Sean Combs, now known as “P. Diddy,” who inked his autograph in 1998 with his former stage name “Puff Daddy.” A working Harley-Davidson-themed pinball machine sold for twice its estimate, bringing $2,875.
The high revving sale concluded after 7 pm with as much as 85 percent of the lots sold.
