September 8, 2006 Featuring impeccable machines spanning the turn of one century to the turn of the next, MCBA ’06 saw both the very oldest and the absolute newest motorcycles to reach its auction block trade hands over one steamy weekend last June. A complete report of all sales is now a single click away at ~http://www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com/~, a glance at which reveals a startling range of prices and types of bikes. In just two years, the event has quickly gained a reputation for assembling a remarkable, international assortment of high-quality, often one-of-a-kind collectibles. The oldest item sold at MCBA not surprisingly also one of the rarest was the 1903 Fabrique Nationale (FN) Single from the fabled Chandler Collection (the rest of which will be auctioned in October), which brought $29,500. The newest bike sold: an almost still-ticking Suzuki GSXR 1000 Superstock Race Bike from Michael Jordan Motorsports that was ridden by Steve Rapp in the 2006 AMA Superstock Championship and signed by “His Airness” himself. Other notable sales include Jesse Rooke’s huge wow-factor “X-1″ custom at $80,000, a signed Paul Smart Limited Edition Ducati at $13,500, and a flawless 1916 Excelsior Board Track Racer from the safety-last glory days of wooden velodromes, which a San Diego collector acquired for a lofty $32,000. At the other end of the spectrum, one of the first Suzuki motorcycles ever brought into the U.S. a 1964 T10 was snapped up for a mere $500 by none other than Hall of Fame motocrosser “Bad Brad” Lackey. The online simulcast bidding system designed and run by MCBA auctioneer National Powersport Auctions (NPA) allowed active participation from far more than the crowd of collectors who gathered inside the event pavilion. In fact, over 40% of the sales volume including the Rooke, the Smart, and the Excelsior came from bidders raising the price in real time at their distant computer screens. Details are currently being finalized for MCBA 2007, and those interested in staying informed need only send an email to [email protected] to receive news and updates.