Open your wallet

Always the place to find high-zoot collectible bikes as well as more mainstream motorcycles from more recent decades, the auction once again appeared to be living up to its reputation. Standout machines included a '29 Scott Flying Squirrell, a '73 Ducati Imola, a '42 BMW R75 military bike complete with .50-caliber machine gun, a '55 BSA Golden Flash, a cherry '85 Yamaha RZ350 KR model (a personal fave) and a '52 Ariel square four.

But the absolute top of the heap? An immaculate-looking '53 Vincent Black Shadow. Auctioneer Jerry Wood figures it will go for something on the high side of $60,000.