World’s most expensive bike: Harley-Davidson Strap Tank (1908)

With a price of US$935,000 (RM3.98 million), the Harley-Davidson Strap Tank 1908 tops the books with its high price point.

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This is the world’s most expensive motorcycle, the 1908 edition Harley-Davidson Strap Tank. The motorcycle was successfully sold at a price of US$935,000 (RM3.98 million) including charges through the Mecum firm’s auction event.

The motorcycle was up for auction on January 28, 2023, at the Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States. Based on the report, the engine power output is 2.72hp.

The Harley-Davidson Strap Tank won the world’s most expensive motorcycle because due to the auction price of US$6,000 (RM25,548). The amount is more than the 1951 Vincent model which has held that status since 2018.

The minimum bid to own the Harley-Davidson is US$850,000 (RM3.62 million). After hitting that sum and adding the fees and charges, the new sum will be the new record.

In fact, this Harley-Davidson unit was already available for bidding through the Mecum firm in August 2022. At that time, the highest bid received was US$425,000 (RM1.8 million) but there was no additional charge.

In 1908, Harley-Davidson launched the Model 4 featuring a 440cc single-cylinder engine. The bike also comes with F-Head technology which is an intake-over-exhaust (IOE) exchange system.

The valves are mounted on top of each other and the spark plug is between the two valves. The 2.72hp power generated will be sent to the rear wheels using a belt drive system made of leather material.

Its maximum speed is about 64km/h. The title Tank Strap draws inspiration from the two nickel-plated fasteners that hold the oil tank and gasoline tank to the frame.

In 1908, Harley-Davidson produced 450 units of the motorcycle, a record achievement for the era. The model you are looking at has engine number 2241 and is one of the most authentic units.

This Tank Strap was found intact in a barn in 1941 in Wisconsin. The motorcycle has been in the possession of the individual who found it for 66 years.

The individual did a lot of restoration work to restore the condition of the motorcycle. All components used are genuine including the oil tank, oil tank fasteners, seat and manifold.

This motorcycle was up for auction in August 2022 and received bids as high as US$425,000. However, it failed to sell.

A few years ago, there were several units of the 1908 edition Harley Davidson Strap Tank up for auction. However, the recorded price rarely exceeded US$125,000 (RM532,250).

There is a 1907 Harley Davidson Strap Tank that was once sold at a bid price of US$650,000 (RM2.76 million) in 2015. The model is in a completely original condition and has not undergone any restoration work.