A 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank, Mecum Auctions
WE LOVE CAFÉ racers, we love bobbers, and we love a killer scrambler. But we also love great classics, and sometimes they come from an unlikely manufacturer. This year at Mecum’s Las Vegas auction, a rare bike nearly sold for nearly $1 million, and it wasn?t a Henderson, or an MV Agusta, not even a Vincent or a rare Indian. Nope. It was a Harley-Davidson.
1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank, Mecum Auction
The most expensive motorcycle sold this year at the 2023 Mecum auction was a 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank. This rare bike has an interesting pedigree that makes it a one of a kind. Less than a dozen of these bikes exist, however this one could be the most original. This Strap Tank, so called because the gas tank and oil tank are held to the bicycle-like frame with nickel strap, is one of the oldest surviving HDs and predates panhead Harleys by decades. This Harley sold for $935,000 at auction, Mecum Auction
When the auction gavel fell, the bike went for $850,000. That works out to $935,000 after auction fees. Watch the gavel fall in Mecum’s video.
The seat cover is one of the original parts of this 1908 Harley, Mecum Auction
This particular Strap Tank was found by motorcycle collector David Uihlein in 1941, and he kept it for 66 years. Yes, it was restored, but it?s one of the most correct and original bikes from that era. It has the original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover and muffler sleeve.
The t...