The most expensive classic rare motorcycle

Rare ONES If you think that the most expensive motorcycle in the world is a modern motorcycle with high-tech features, or a gold-plated unit, then you are wrong. It turns out that this is the 1908 Harley-Davidson Model 4 'Strap Tank' which is touted as the world's most expensive rare motorbike today. The classic iron horse sold for $850,000 or the equivalent of Rp.13 billion at an auction event organized by Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas back in January 2023.

1908 Harley-Davidson Model 4 'Strap Tank' sells for a record of $850,000 in Las Vegas. (Picture from: MecumAuctions)

This is a legendary unit that included the first generation of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. And of the 450 produced in 1908 by the Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer, it is estimated that fewer than a dozen remain today. Moreover of course, the number of units that are in good condition as auctioned is even more less. Besides that, this rare motorbike also has an interesting pedigree, making it one of the best of its kind available today. It is thought this is the earliest model ever found so far, as the prototype is long gone. 

1908 Harley-Davidson Model 4 'Strap Tank' while on display at the auction event held in Las Vegas by Mecum Auctions back in January 2023. (Picture from: UPI)

The story of this motorcycle model began in 1901 when William S. Harley, who was then 20 years old, together with his best friend Arthur Davidson built a 116 cc single-cylinder engine in Milwaukee. And it took two years to build the first engine which was then mounted on a bicycle chassis. Then they enlarged the engine to 405 cc after getting advice from legendary marine engineer Ole Evinrude.

The Harley Davidson's Shed. This is not the original shed, but rather a replica that was build based off historical photographs, and it sits just outside the Harley Davidson Museum. (Picture from: Motorcycle)

These second project of them was completed in September 1904 and had used to race at the Milwaukee State Fair Park. At the time, their iron horse was ridden by Edward Hildebrand and was able to finish in fourth place. In the following year, Harley-Davidson comenced production in a small wooden shed with only five engines were built at the time. These first production engines were enlarged to 440 cc, and could only produce about 4 hp, which was a pretty good burst of power in that day.

1904 Harley-Davidson Serial Number One known as the oldest H-D motorcycles in existence, sat on display at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwauke. (Picture from: MotorcyclistOnline)

Entering 1906, the company built a new factory in Chestnut Street, which later renamed to Juneau Avenue and is still Harley-Davidson's headquarters to this day. From there about 50 motorbikes were built from the single-story building. Its first model was known as the Harley-Davidson Strap Tank because the nickel-plated steel bands suspending the fuel and oil tanks from the frame.

The Harley-Davidson Model 4 'Strap Tank' is the most coveted unit of all Milwaukee machinery by combining a clean but conservative style, a somber color scheme, and a slightly heftier engine than the others. (Picture from: MecumAuctions)

One year later the factory could build around 150 machines. And in 1908 production jumped to 450 machines. Although Harley-Davidson wasn't the biggest manufacturer in the time, the Strap Tank has earned a good reputation for toughness. These earliest models of the Harley-Davidson Strap Tank is the most coveted unit of all Milwaukee machinery. They have a pattern that still persists today, by combining a clean but conservative style, a somber color scheme, and a slightly heftier engine than the others.

These Harley-Davidson early motorcycle models got Strap Tank name because the nickel-plated steel bands suspending the fuel and oil tanks from the frame. (Picture from: MecumAuctions)

And this 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank motorcycle unit that was auctioned is known to be one of the world's rarest motorbikes, it was found by David Uihlein in 1941 in complete condition in a Wisconsin barn which is only about 70 miles from Milwaukee, then Uihlein kept it in his home for the next 66 years.

The Harley-Davidson Strap Tank motorcycle model is powered by an 440 cc powertrain, capable burst of power only 4 hp, and it was a pretty good numbers of power in that day. (Picture from: MecumAuctions)

Furthermore, this 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank motorcycle has been restored in detail with the help of Paul Freehill of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Amazingly, the tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover, exhaust sleeve are all pristine, and even its engine number #2241 and carburetor #1049 are still printed and clearly visible. Then it finished under a gray color touch plus a red accent line.

This 1908 Harley-Davidson Model 4 'Strap Tank' motorcycle has been restored in detail with the help of Paul Freehill of Fort Wayne, Indiana. (Picture from: MecumAuctions)

When the hammer dropped at the auction event, this 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank sold at a bid price of $850,000. But its new owner had to spend about $935,000 after the bid-price added by auction fees and other taxes.

Actually, this is not the first Strap Tank ever sold by Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas. Previously the auction company had sold the 1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank for $297,000 or Rp.4.5 billion. But the newly released of 1908 unit has a well-documented history, coupled with the motorcycle unit still had 115 years olds original parts. So it's undoubtly, this 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank is a truly exceptional machine.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MECUM AUCTIONS | UPI | MOTORCYCLE ]

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