National Motorcycle Museum Sells Collection: The 5 Coolest Vintage Bikes
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
After a 22-year run, one of the finest motorcycle museums in the US is shutting down. The National Motorcycle Museum - opens in new window or tab. was once home to over 500 rare and collectible motorcycles, artwork, road signs, bicycles, mopeds, and other memorabilia. The museum in Anamosa, Iowa, will close its doors for good on September 5, 2023.
Jill and John Parham, a husband and wife team, founded J&P Cycles in 1979. The company specializes in aftermarket parts and accessories for the cruiser motorcycle crowd. They first opened the museum in Sturgis, South Dakota, which becomes the epicenter of motorcycling every August. In 2001, they moved the museum from Sturgis, where it had operated for 12 years, to Iowa.
Jill said:
We have struggled for years to cover wages and utilities, partly due to low visitation.
As part of the liquidation process, a portion of the John Parham Estate Collection is going up for sale September 6-9, 2023. The auction items will include more than 300 motorcycles and 1,000 road-art lots.
Mecum Auctions - opens in new window or tab., which is conducting the sale, will have a preview day on September 5. There are incredible motorcycles up for grabs, including these five extraordinary machines.
1912 Indian “Belt Drive” Single
Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle - opens in new window or tab. Co. built all its early motorcycles with chain final drive. But in 1911, it experimented with selling cheaper-to-produce belt drives to lower its prices. The belt-driven singles were only made for two years. This rare 1912 Indian “Belt Drive” Single was beautifully restored.
1912 Indian Belt Drive Single (Photo: Brian Harley)
The 500cc single-cylinder, four-horsepower engine features an inlet over exhaust design. The frame is made of lugged steel tubing, while its suspension consists of a leaf spring fork and a sprung seat. The long, red torpedo tank is a fine palette for the gold Indian script logo. It’s a fantastic piece of rolling Americana that will draw many bidders.
1915 Flying Merkel Twin
Joseph Merkel only made motorcycles for 15 years, so Merkels are very collectible. The appeal is mainly due to his engineering, which was ahead of its time. Merkel experimented with self-starting and rear suspension a half-century before some American makers adopted it.
Flying Merkels at the National Motorcycle Museum (Photo: Brian Harley)
The 1915 Flying Twin in the Mecum Auction features Merkel’s famed rear “mono-shock” suspension. It has a matching frame, fenders, oil tank, and girder front suspension. The classic Merkel also has logo footboards, a sprung seat, and a cool Acetylene front light. This V-Twin-powered beauty should fetch a princely sum in September.
1924 Indian Scout Hillclimber
This sporty 1924 Indian Scout Hillclimber uses a torquey 45 cubic-inch V-twin to blast up hills. A Linkert carburetor provides fuel, while short, straight pipes jettison the spent gas/air mixture. It features an in-out gearbox and a foot-operated clutch, making it tricky to ride.
1924 Indian Scout Hillclimber (Photo: National Motorcycle Museum)
The frame’s rear was extended while the front sports a leaf spring fork. The back tire is wrapped in a chain, and the rear wheel rocks a huge pulley to help the motorcycle climb the mountain. Be forewarned, there are no brakes because this bad boy is built with one goal—reaching the summit first. Bathed in Indian’s signature red and gold, this retro racer will attract a lot of attention on auction day.
1937 Brough Superior SS80
Brough Superior motorcycles are immortalized by Lawrence of Arabia, cherished by collectors, and heralded for their beauty and brawn. It’s known as the “Rolls-Royce of motorcycles” for its combination of aesthetics and performance.
1937 Brough Superior SS80 (Photo: National Motorcycle Museum)
A 982cc Matchless 50-degree V-twin powers the sweet 1937 Brough Superior SS80 up for sale. It’s mated to a Burman four-speed manual gearbox. The Brough’s alloy tank still has a sporting sheen, and its logo knee pads are in fine shape. It has matching black fenders, frame, and front suspension. The SS80 earned its name because it was a Super Sports model guaranteed to exceed 80 miles per hour. Watch this one speed away come auction day.
1939 BMW R12
The 1939 BMW R12 is a striking motorcycle with an art deco design and a twin loop pressed steel frame. BMW’s signature boxer twin engine is at the heart of this Bavarian beauty. The 745cc powerplant is teamed with a four-speed gearbox and a hand-operated clutch. The front end is anchored by a telescopic hydraulic fork, which features BMW’s distinct black-and-white striping combo that streaks down the frame and fenders.
1939 BMW R12 (Photo: National Motorcycle Museum)
The R12 had a reputation for being rugged and reliable. During WWII, it was used from the frozen Eastern Front to the dunes of the Sahara in North Africa. BMW enthusiasts highly prize this beautiful survivor of a bygone era.
If you miss out on these splendid auction items, peruse eBay’s ongoing listings of vintage motorcycles - opens in new window or tab..
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