America's oldest bike up for grabs
The motorised Indian bicycle will be auctioned on April 21, 2012, in Maryland and could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars for its ownerBuilt more than 100 years ago, this 1903 Indian motorcycle is claimed to be the oldest bike in the USA in unrestored condition.
Powered by a 1.7hp (1kW) engine, the motorized bicycle looks fairly dilapidated but this only adds to its allure for collectors.
Due to go under the hammer in Maryland, the bike's value is unclear but some US media outlets say the Indian could net up to $500,000, about five times as much as a second hand Ducati Desmosedici RR goes for.
The auctioneer, Josh Ruby, wouldn't even take a guess at what the rusted Indian was worth. In 2011, a vehicle purporting to be the world's oldest running car sold for $4.62 million.
The 100+ year old Indian was part of Charlie Alder Junior's estate, much of which is being sold off after his passing.
The vintage Indian motorcycle was bought by Alder's father for just $50 in 1950, before which it had been hanging on the wall of a local dentist for 30 years, since 1920!
The rare American motorcycle retains its push-bike pedals and has been kept in storage for the better part of the last 50 years.
What do you think the bike is worth?
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