300+ Motorcycles Going For Auction As Historic Museum Shutters

IOWA — More than 300 motorcycles and thousands of pieces of art and memorabilia will be up for auction this summer after an Iowa museum chronicling the vehicle's history closes its doors.

The National Motorcycle Museum has been in its same location in a small eastern Iowa town for 22 years, but its nonprofit board of directors made the decision to close it later this year. Much of late founder John Parham's collection will be auctioned off; his wife Jill is the chairman of the board.

John Parham died in April 2017 at the age of 62.

The Parhams founded motorcycle parts and accessories retailer J&P Cycles as well. They started the museum in 1989, and it has exhibits on transportation with focus on the motorcycle's ancestors. It also has vintage bikes and motorcycles from other countries as well as apparel, advertising, and thousands of mementos.

The National Motorcycle Museum has typically held more than 500 bikes in rotating and permanent exhibits, but has had trouble making ends meet in recent years, said directors.

“We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitation,"the board of directors said.

The museum's last day open is Sept. 4, which gives "visitors to Sturgis and the Blackhawk MC meet in Davenport a chance to stop by," says the notice on the museum's website.

Then, Mecum Auctions will host the auction from Sept. 6-9 at the museum, 102 Chamber Drive, Anamosa, IA 52205. The collection of items includes more than 300 motorcycles and 6,000 pieces of memorabilia.

Among the "headline-worthy" motorcycles included in the lineup, according to Mecum:

• 1936 Norton International Road Racer
• 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Pendine
• a selection of Vincent models, including a 1955 Black Prince
• a pair of midcentury Rapides
• a 1952 Black Shadow

"A desirable 1937 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead is also among the collection, as are wide selections of additional Harley-Davidsons, Indians, Triumphs, BSAs, Japanese-built bikes and many other lesser-known names as well," added the auction company, which specializes in collector vehicles and hosts auctions throughout the country.

The pieces of memorabilia and art are designated as "Road Art" and have been assembled into approximately 1,000 lots, said Mecum. These offerings included a custom-made bronze motorcycle engine sculpt, and a Von Dutch hand-engraved helmet.

Bidders must register in advance and may do so online or on-site. Specific information about the other motorcycles on auction is not available.