High Stakes and Heavy Hitters: The Top 10 Motorcycles from the Mecum Las Vegas Auction

When the desert sun sets over the South Point Hotel & Casino, the neon of the Las Vegas Strip usually takes center stage. But this past January 27–31, the real electricity was found inside the arena. Mecum Auctions returned for its 35th annual auction, and the numbers were staggering. What began as a four-day affair was forced into a fifth day due to an unprecedented consignment rate, with more than 1,800 motorcycles crossing the auction block.

The result? A record-breaking week that saw total sales surpass $20 million, including at least eight record-breaking bikes. Even if you weren’t in attendance, the action could be viewed on YouTube, as well as the debut of real-time commentary on Mecum TV via Roku.  Beyond the sheer volume, the diversity was the story—from a 1901 E.R. Thomas Auto-Bi to a 1994 Harley-Davidson VR1000, collectors proved that the appetite for two-wheeled history spans every era and engine configuration imaginable.  Here are the Top 10 Motorcycles from the Mecum Las Vegas 2026 Auction.

2004 Honda RC174 George Beale Replica

Topping the charts was a mechanical masterpiece that bridges the gap between history and modern craftsmanship. Built by British specialist George Beale with the cooperation of Honda's factory, this is the third of only ten replicas ever produced. It’s an exacting recreation of the legendary six-cylinder 297cc machine Mike Hailwood rode to the 1967 350cc World Championship. Featuring a 7-speed gearbox and a screaming 6-into-6 exhaust, it’s a symphony of mid-century racing engineering. Sold for $330,000

1968 Honda CB750 Prototype

Perhaps the most historically significant Japanese bike to ever cross the block, this "Sandcast" prototype was the very first CB750 sent to American Honda for testing in 1968. Restored by the renowned Vic World, it features hundreds of one-off details not found on production models, including "HONDA" cast into the valve cover and unique push-pull carburetor linkages. It isn't just a bike; it’s the blueprint for the modern superbike. Sold for $313,500

1938 Vincent-HRD Series A Rapide

Hailing from the racing stable of Maurice Candy, who owned it for over 46 years, this Series A Rapide is the definition of "Blue Chip" British iron. Known as the "plumber’s nightmare" due to its external oil lines, it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world upon its release. This example, with its stainless steel tank and Brampton forks, remains a pinnacle of pre-war performance. Sold for $236,500

1924 BMW R32

The bike that started it all for the Bavarians. Designed by Max Friz, the R32 introduced the longitudinal Boxer Twin and shaft drive layout that remains the brand’s hallmark today. This example emerged from a private Swiss collection after 30 years, boasting a sympathetic 1990s restoration that preserved its century-old dignity. Sold for $209,000

1934 Harley-Davidson CAC

A rare "Class A" speedway racer built specifically for the clay and cinder tracks of the 1930s. Powered by a 30.5 CI overhead-valve single running on alcohol, the CAC is a brutalist machine with no brakes and no clutch—just raw, high-compression power designed to go sideways. Sold for $203,500

1935 Indian Chief

The Art Deco era of the American V-twin was perfectly represented by this 74 CI Chief. Finished in a striking two-tone Orange and Black with Gold pinstriping, it underwent a concours-level restoration in 2020. With nickel-plated cylinders and the iconic Indian headdress horn, it’s a rolling work of art. Sold for $187,000

1974 Ducati 750SS "Green Frame."

The "Green Frame" is the holy grail for Ducatisti. One of only 401 produced to commemorate Paul Smart’s Imola 200 victory, this specific machine has a documented racing history in the Spanish Formula 750 Championship. Restored over seven years by Mike Kron, it features a handcrafted aluminum fuel tank and its original fiberglass cell as a spare. Sold for $187,000

1901 E.R. Thomas Auto-Bi

One of the earliest examples of an American motorized bicycle, the Auto-Bi utilized a Pierce bicycle chassis and a belt-driven single-cylinder engine. A primitive but charming reminder of the dawn of the industry, this restored example features leaf-spring front suspension and iconic white rubber tires. Sold for $159,500

1921 Ace Four

Founded by the legendary William Henderson, Ace produced some of the most luxurious and smooth inline-fours of the 1920s. This early 1921 model is identical to the one Henderson was riding when he tragically died during a test run. Its longitudinal 1262cc engine was the precursor to the famous Indian Four. Sold for $140,250

1949 Vincent Black Shadow Series C

Known as the "Saigon Shadow," this Series C began life as a crate-racing engine before being developed into a complete motorcycle. Featured in the documentary Speed is Expensive, it’s a high-performance icon finished in the quintessential Black and Gold, complete with Vincent’s Girdraulic forks and a massive Smiths chronometric speedometer. Sold for $132,000

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