American Pickers Star Mike Wolfe’s 'As Found Collection' // Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycles Jan. 24-28

Mike Wolfe’s story is one bound together with arcane tales of the hunt—a quest to locate and rescue some of the most legendary and long-forgotten relics of yesteryear, uncovering motorcycles and bicycles hidden in fields, cellars and rafters that were unknowingly designated as time capsules, their archaic badges and worn rubber waiting to be uncovered and itching to see the light of day—and potentially pavement—once again. Some of these motorcycles, such as the Harley-Davidsons and Indians, are legends among the antique and vintage motorcycle-collector community, existing as hallowed machines that give a reason for the hunt and an excuse for Wolfe to feed his obsession with the lost and obscure.

What has evolved from one curious young child roaming the back alleys of Bettendorf, Iowa, into a massive collection of some of the world’s rarest and most highly sought-after motorcycles, has now turned into a once-in-a-lifetime offering christened The As Found Collection, an assemblage containing more than 70 two-wheeled icons, all from Mike Wolfe’s private collection and, for the very first time, prepared to impress a new set of owners as they cross the auction block in Las Vegas at Mecum’s 32nd annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction.

[markjaycox]

Mike is a living gem of history who will shine in many hearts for many years to come.

[charlesmiddleton]

So much passion for something he loves. From his early childhood to the present, Mike nurtured his love of American made motorcycles from early beginnings collecting and fixing bicycles. What a dream!!

[silverstar]

Mike did a great service by getting so many historic cycles out of obscure places and back into circulation. As they go to new homes, many will be completed to running condition

[paulgrogan]

Mike's knowledge and interest in motorcycles absolutely makes me want to share a frosty beverage and chat.

[douglash]

Good to see you letting go Wolfe, hardest thing we do as an adult and single handedly the most important. Over 70 bikes....dang. Going to be a lot of very happy people out there.

[JOHNNIEBEBAD]

Whatever his reason..He is still the guy that traveled endlessly to collect these bikes and bring them to you, His knowledge and passion is not within reach because these bikes come from a different time.Thank you for hours you shared in our living rooms over the years and remaining true to your passion.Whatever the reason..Thank you.

[rickintexas]

What a great collection. I definitely love that 1914 Harley Davidson.

[znxgkub]

I missed your show the new one on TV sucks you guys are the best there won't be another one like you guys

[edgarjohnso]

Thank you Mike for making us appreciate what was lost and learned to see the value and appreciation in what was old stayed old good job Mike

[dericksmith]

30yrs ago I was living in Regina Saskatchewan Canada. Working in a small engine shop with a guy named ‘Norm’. Norm fixed bikes on the side and needed help 1 time.
This involved going to some little out of the way farm. On the farm we’re 5 large quanset buildings.
At the farm I met the most disagreeable older gent. The gent owned the farm and all its contents. His family, wife and 3 kids had all passed over the years.
The farms inventory ranged from ancient tractors, a few cloth skinned airplanes, an array of old cars and trucks, to 1 huge quanset completely filled with bikes!
The part Norm needed, the old gent knew exactly where to send me looking. Even knew exactly which 3 tools I was going to need to retrieve it. I couldn’t ‘walk’ to the area in the building he pointed to, I had to climb/crawl over old cloth tarps and constructed wood deckings.
When I fell thru a tarp, I was looking at an amazing Vincent. The bikes the old fella had googled my mind.

With no one to inherit (the gent was in his 70’s), it seemed horrific to see such a huge collection of history hidden away unappreciated out there.
Years later a new term for that type of collector became common - Hoarder!
But the old gent knew darn near everything he had and exactly where it was, and could even give a short story of where he found it, bought it, it’s previous life & owner.

[thedragon]

Awesome collection, thanks for sharing with us. Billy Lane of Choppers inc is also now located in Columbia, TN. As some of you already know Mike and Billy are good friends. 🐲🐉🐲

[canadianfloormasters]

As a very long time collector of vintage everything I can tell you that Mike has passion for everything he collects. It really takes one to know one and everyday I surround myself with things I love and I do it to bring back memories of my youth. Some people blow there money in bars where I make my own flux capacitor at home and live life the way I want to see it.

[bmwdan]

Good luck mike, miss you on the pickers, wish you the best!

[jamesholmes]

Kudos Mike. For sharing your collection of suck a Great History. Thank you sir.

[andrewbecker]

It's no accident this collection is going to a large prestigious auction. Gotta love it when a plan comes together. If he looses money on even 1 bike, I'd be surprised.

[pacificmike]

I wish them wonderful homes. I've enjoyed your presentations for years. Thank You.

[robertphelan]

Thanks Mike, loved this, and the Tan, and Cream HD :42 I always loved the full fender fat tank bikes from that era.

[donnichols]

"'As found"' agree, so good to have the story as you see it

[kaydesign]

Wolf has seen enough collectors who didn’t realized that they didn’t had enough time to fix everything 😊

[rlh]

Great preview - thanks Mike for keeping history alive.