Explore Rare and Historic Harleys in the McIlhattan Collection
Mecum’s largest motorcycle auction of the year will return to the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb. 3-6. Already, more than 500 motorcycles have been listed to cross the block, and that number will continue to grow as the event grows closer.
In the coming months, Rider will highlight a few of the hundreds of bikes scheduled for the auction. We’re kicking things off with a look at the Thom and Honore McIlhattan Collection, which is almost entirely comprised of Harley-Davidson bikes, from the early 1900s to the early 2000s and everything in between. Thom and Honore owned Harley-Davidson of Vallejo in California for 17 years, and the collection reflects Thom’s long-standing interest in the marque and its history. The motorcycles will be offered at no reserve, with the early machines scheduled for Saturday, February 6, and other examples crossing the block February 3-6.
If Harleys aren’t your jam, don’t worry; we’ve got plenty more to cover by manufacturers throughout the entire history of motorcycling. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Mecum Auction news, as well as new bike reviews, motorcycle tour stories, riding tips, and more.
The Thom and Honore McIlhattan Collection
Harley-Davidson motorcycles spanning more than a century of American motorcycle history will cross the auction block as part of The Thom and Honore McIlhattan Collection at Mecum’s Las Vegas Motorcycles auction. Featuring more than two dozen Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the collection covers a wide range of models, from early belt-drive Singles and prewar V-Twins to factory customs, cafe racers, and motocross machines. A handful of Buell motorcycles and other makes are also included.
The collection is led by a 1909 Harley-Davidson Model 5A finished in Renault Gray. Representing Harley-Davidson’s early production years, the Model 5A is powered by a 30ci single-cylinder engine and features a belt final drive. Other early examples include a 1916 Model 16F, a 1919 Model W Sport Twin, a 1925 Model JDCB, and a 1928 Model B Peashooter.
Among the prewar motorcycles, the 1919 Model W Sport Twin is particularly interesting. Rather than Harley-Davidson’s familiar V-Twin configuration, it uses a 36ci horizontally opposed flat-Twin engine mounted longitudinally in the frame. It is paired with a 3-speed transmission and chain final drive. The 1941 EL Knucklehead represents another important chapter in the company’s history, featuring the 61ci overhead-valve V-Twin and 4-speed transmission that helped establish the Knucklehead’s place in Harley-Davidson history.
The collection also includes several examples from Harley-Davidson’s racing and performance heritage. A 1967 CRTT is one of the more unusual offerings. Built in Italy, the 344cc single-cylinder road racer was produced in limited numbers, with Mecum listing this example as one of just 35 produced. A 1966 CRS, powered by a 246cc single-cylinder engine, and a pair of 1978 MX250 motocross motorcycles, each with a 242cc single-cylinder engine and 5-speed transmission, add to the competition-oriented portion of the collection.
Harley-Davidson’s cafe racer and performance models are represented by a 1977 XLCR Cafe Racer and a 1983 XR1000. The XLCR, designed under the direction of Willie G. Davidson, was powered by a 61ci V-Twin and featured styling influenced by European cafe racers. It was produced in limited numbers, with 1,923 examples built for the 1977 model year. The XR1000 combined the Sportster platform with performance-oriented engine components and a distinctive dual-carburetor arrangement.
Later Harley-Davidson models include a 1981 FXB Sturgis, a 1991 FXDB Sturgis, a 2003 CVO 100th Anniversary Softail Deuce, and a 2006 Dyna Super Glide 35th Anniversary. The collection also includes a 1999 MT500, a military-inspired motorcycle powered by a 504cc Rotax single-cylinder engine, and a 2002 V-Rod with its 1,130cc V-Twin.
Beyond the Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the collection features a 2000 Buell M2 Cyclone, a 2006 Buell XB12X Ulysses, a 2003 Kawasaki KLX400R, and a 1969 BMW R69US.
