Vintage Harley 8-Valve Racer Sets Auction Record; Sells for $675K
When it comes to the long and storied history of Harley-Davidson, there are few machines that demand the respect and awe of the pre-war eight-valve racers. These 1000cc monsters are incredibly rare and sought after, and just this week a completely unrestored barn find model sold for a record $674,800. The bike in question was a 1927 FHA 8-Valve that was modified with an adjustable sidecar. It was last raced sometime in the 1940s, and remains in original condition, down the chipped, painted racing numbers on the side.
There are believed to be less than 50 of these bikes (record keeping was pretty bad back in the day) and to find one in this condition is incredible for a number of reasons. As far as barn finds go, this is as good as they come in the motorcycle world. When the bikes were new, they were the fastest motorcycles in production and they were never available to the public. You had to be a racer before Harley would sell you one.
The new owner of the bike is expected to leave it as-is, rather than restoring it. Not only is it much more valuable in its current condition, but I love how it preserves a special part of history that many thought was lost forever.
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