Will the Fourth Time be the Charm to Sell This Antique Harley?
This 1918 Harley-Davidson Model F will once again be auctioned off by Mecum on April 15 in Indianapolis.
What a difference a decade makes. When Harley-Davidson sold its first motorcycles in 1904-1905, buyers received a 24.7 cubic inch, single cylinder engine that made a pathetic 3 horsepower. By 1915, the trio of friends and brothers had developed a 61 cubic inch mill with the now-iconic V-twin architecture that would persevere well into the 1930s. It was capable of 15 horsepower, which was quite a leap from the earlier technology. This, coupled to a new three-speed gearbox propelled these bikes to a top speed of approximately 60 miles per hour.
Next month, classic Harley enthusiasts will have a chance to buy a piece of history from this World War I timeframe. A pristine 1918 Model F is being auctioned by Mecum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis on May 15, 2025.
Any color as long as it’s green
The Model F denotes that this particular bike was ordered with a magneto ignition system. Alternatively, the Model J had a battery and coil ignition system, which was a $30 upcharge when new. Of course, the color is olive drab green with red accents because there was no other factory color choice during the Great War years of production. The seller also mentions extensive mechanical work to the engine that was performed in 2016. And they’ve even got the receipts.
In the past, it failed to meet the reserve price
So how much can we expect this 1918 Harley-Davidson Model F to fetch? One year ago, this exact same bike was auctioned and failed to meet its reserve price of $35,000. FYI, the reserve price is the threshold below which the seller isn’t obligated to sell. However, that’s not the whole story. It was actually auctioned three times during 2024 and failed to meet a steadily declining reserve price on each occasion.
According to the always-useful pricing database Classic.com, approximately six similar bikes successfully sold over the past five years. The selling price for those bikes ranged between $14,505 and $54,305, so our seller’s expectations aren’t totally out of line. That said, uncertainty over President Trump’s tariffs on imported goods and a recent stock market swoon may have buyers apprehensive to part with their cash. Or could it also be a declining interest in these ultra-early antique Harleys? This machine’s previous inability to pull in top dollar is most likely a combination of both.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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