A 1908 Harley-Davidson motorcycle has recently set a remarkable benchmark in the auction world by commanding a six-figure sum, marking a historic milestone in vintage motorcycle sales.
The renowned 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank achieved an astounding sale price of $935,000 at the conclusion of January's auction, according to a press release from Mecum Auctions, a notable platform specializing in the sale of collector cars and vintage motorcycles.
Originally discovered in a Wisconsin barn in 1941, the motorcycle remained in the state for the ensuing 66 years. Indiana-based collector Paul Freehill meticulously restored the bike, preserving its original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover, and muffler sleeve.
This particular model, identified as the "Strap Tank," represents one of Harley-Davidson's earliest productions, with only 450 motorcycles manufactured in 1908. Remarkably, fewer than a dozen are believed to have survived to 2023, with even fewer in the exceptional condition exhibited by the record-breaking model.
Referred to as "Strap Tank" due to the nickel-plated steel bands suspending the fuel and oil tanks from the frame, this motorcycle established a prototype for subsequent production, characterized by its clean yet conservative styling, somber color scheme, robust cycle parts, and a slightly larger and more potent engine than its contemporaries.