McQueen's Indian Chief, Vincent Black Shadows and rare bikes galore at the Las Vegas Motorcycle Auctions

After two days of CES electronic overload, we snuck off to Ballys down the strip and had a preview peek at the Bonhams motorcycle auction. No one was guarding the door so we just opened it up and walked right in like we owned the place.

Kablam – what a sight: there were hundreds of classic bikes lined up in rows and grouped together, more or less. Not entirely sure we wouldn't be found out and given the boot we walked right through the lot of them and up to the stage, where we inspected a perfectly stunning 1955 Vincent D Series Black Shadow. Next to that was an historically significant 1971 BMW F750 from the Butler & Smith factory race team. Down a few rows was Steve McQueen's 1935 Indian Chief. A large collection of classic Ducatis from the Silverman Museum Racing Collection circled the middle of the vast Ballys Ballroom while several Von Dutch bikes huddled in a corner.

It was one of the great classic auctions of all time and it is crossing the block probably as you read this right now. The Bonhams auction starts at 10:00 Las Vegas time but you can register to bid online on the Bonhams website.

We didn't get any farther down the street but if we had, the MidAmerica 2014 Las Vegas Antique Motorcycle Auction starts the same day, January 9, at the South Point Hotel and Resort. This one has everything on two wheels from Ariel to Whizzer. The MidAmerica auction lasts three days, Jan. 9-11.

If there's not something at these two auctions that you like, there is something seriously wrong with you and you should consult your local motorcycle enthusiast for advice. Now click onto one – or better yet both – and get perusing.

By Mark Vaughn