Its hard to say no.

• It’s been great owning three cool motorcycles, but when the opportunity to buy a couple other ones came my way I couldn’t pass it up. The first was a bike that was a donation to a non profit group here in Portland. It didn’t run, it was dusty and both tires were flat. Perfect!

It sold for less than I thought it would. So now I’m an owner of 1982 Honda CB 900F, it’s not a really collectible bike, but when I got the title I discovered the original owner had donated it. It’s getting harder to find one owner motorcycles. It took me about a month of cleaning and fixing some the age related items but I got it running. It’s a cool old bike with all the original hardware, exhaust, and paint. It a monster to ride, plus it sounds fantastic.

The next bike came to me in an email. The message was right to the point. Would I be interested in buying his brothers 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000? The first pic he sent me, wasn’t the most inspiring, but what the heck sure I’ll take a look at it. The old KZ had been sitting the basement garage since 1988, it had surface rust was covered in dirt and dust. Both tires were flat and the gas tank and the carbs had been removed. Even in the state it was in you could see how it was a very original and honest motorcycle. Plus, I really love old Kawasaki’s. I went back a couple times to look at again and made an offer. After a couple days of mulling it over my over was accepted.

I heading back over to get ready for to be moved. I pumped up the flat tires, they held air! After rocking the back and fourth the brakes released, and when rubbed the dust off the odometer to my surprise it only had 4600 miles on the old bike. I’ve spend a few months working on it on, hopefully this weekend I’ll get to fire it up.

Almost done with the renovation of the KZ!

Car show season

You can’t beat a small town car show in the summer. This past weekend I headed up to Rosalia Washington to help of old friend Jay, with the judging of his annual show. Last year Covid, made the event a no go, but this year things were back to normal. With almost 120 cars lining up both side of main street the judging was tough, but i picked a 1937 Studebaker, Z3 Rat Rod and 19631/2 Ford Galaxie 500 with the rare 427 engine option.

A classic small town main street, with the a vintage standing clock.

One of of my picks was this custom 1937 Studebaker pickup. It was one of only a 1000 produced in ‘37. Super rare, with a striking art deco paint job.

One of the most original ideas I’ve seen of a rat rod. This one started life as a BMW Z3, with modified front end and Chrysler body grafted on to the rear. Weird, cool and original.

Huge success

Our first motorcycle/estate auction was a huge success. Saturday May 8th, was a perfect central Oregon day. The Bidders started to show up at 8am, and spent a couple hours previewing the collection. When the bidding got underway the bid cards were flying in the air. We ended up selling over 30 motorcycles and over 300 lots of tools, equipment and vintage parts. Keep checking back for news on our upcoming auction later this summer.

The auction is right around the corner

Come join us to for our first auction of 2021. The Kleeve Hodsdon Motorcycle estate auction is one that you won’t want to miss. It includes classic bikes, assorted parts, memorabilia, and tools. Everything is selling no-reserve.

Upcoming Motorcycle Auction

On Saturday May 8th, we will be doing a live estate auction in Redmond, Oregon. It’s an amazing collection of over 30 motorcycles, parts, frames, tools and memorabilia. The collection includes BSA’s, Triumph, Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, Kawasaki, CCM and even a Rickman Metisse. More info to follow.

2021 and Beyond

Its amazing how everthing have changed in a few short months, especially in the auction business. Almost every type of auction has moved to a digital format. I haven’t decided yet whether it’s a good or bad thing. As an auctioneer it’s my job to create competition among the various buyers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fundraising event or selling cars, getting the audience in front of you involved and excited is the best part of my job, all that is lost when all you get is a notification to bid again in a text message.

I don’t know when we’ll all be back together with a few hundred, or thousand people of our friends again. It’s looking like it could be 2022 or later. We all have to just hang in there.

Drive In

We finished our final fundraiser of 2020 this past weekend with Soul River, and their Gala at the Drive Inn. Close to 100 people turn up at the World of Speed parking lot for the Drive inn Fundraiser.

Because of the new rules on social distancing, everyone stayed in their cars, and box dinners were delivered to the guests. So that everyone could enjoy the featured speakers, film and of course the auctioneer, a FM frequency was used so everyone could hear the gala through there car speakers.

We did a raffle and a Special Appeal, it worked out great! It pays to think outside the box.

Traveling

Last week was a busy one.

On Thursday I headed out to the airport for my weekly trip Las Vegas. When I got back the next evening, I checked my favorite weather Apps, Saturday looked good for a ride. I bundled myself up and headed out early Saturday morning for my last ride out to central Oregon for 2020.

If felt good to get out and blast around on my old GPZ, but the weather was getting cooler and the fall winds were starting to blow harder across the flat plains the farther east I rode.

My two hour trip turned into an eight hours ride as I raced around on all my favorite roads, when I pulled into my driveway later that day I had knocked out 400 miles!

It was still dark at 5am on Sunday morning when the Uber driver pulled up to take me the airport. I was heading out for my four hour flight to Chicago to see my daughter for a couple days. We covered a lot ground together. Sightseeing, visiting the museum and just hanging out with each other. But before I knew it was Tuesday, and I had to head back to Portland.

It was a whirlwind week, but it was all worth it.

What's next?

Well, we’ve made it through the summer!

All the auctions I work were forced at one point and time this year to shut down . But slowly they have begun to open up again.

I was invited to work a couple auctions this summer. The first one was a fundraiser at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course, the other was held over Labor Day Weekend in Sun Valley Idaho.

There were almost 100 cars in Sun Valley with 75% finding new owners. I’d say it was a success!

Both were held outdoors with plenty of space for everyone, and both required social distancing and masks for those closer than six feet, everyone did their best to adhere to the new rules.

It was nice to be able to see my old friends again and to work in the live auction setting.

Hope to see everyone again soon, let’s cross our fingers, that we’ll be able to get back together in the coming year.

Take care.

At an auction there is only one winner in the end, and he took his new 2020 Corvette home with him.

Working at an outdoor fundraiser at Pumpkin Ridge.

Back to Sun Valley

I returned to Sun Valley, Idaho for Silver Auctions annual labor day auction again this year. With some of the restrictions easing up, it was the first large even held at the Sun Valley lodge this year. Social distancing and masks were required and because it was held in large open tent there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Around 90 cars were consigned with 75% of them going to new buyers. The top sale was a 2020 Corvette selling for $127,000.

The only color for a Corvette.

Rare Z! 900 sold for $10,500.

This 1987 Honda Prelude was an one owner car, it looked new and sold for $4100.00

Planting something new

I’ve always planted a backyard garden, its so easy to grow your own food here in the PNW . The weather conditions are perfect for growing your favorite vegetables. This year I planted potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, beans, peas, tomatoes and beets. Plus a bunch of my favorite herbs.

One of my old friends started a small batch microbrew a couple of years ago, so I thought I would try my hand at growing hops for his latest brew. Almost all hops used in beer production are grown in either western or central Washington.

I choose the Cascade and Nugget variety. I ordered them online from a local grower, and planted them in some of my best soil. It took awhile but in a short time they had grow to a height of fifteen feet in a matter of months, and in the last 30 days my first hops have appeared.

Looking forward to see how they’ll taste when they’re added to the new brew.

Cascade Hops

Fourth of July

The holiday gods blessed Oregon with perfect weather for the 4th of July weekend. I decided to get out to town for few hours, and headed east for the open roads of central Oregon. I was surprised with the amount traffic, I guess everyone felt like getting out of town too.

This time I took hwy 26, which takes you around the base of Mt. Hood. While the sun was out, the mountain air was cool and crisp, but as I drop elevation and headed closer to central Oregon it started warming up. While, it would have been nice to be enjoying a big celebration like in years past, getting out alone on the open road is a great way to celebrate too.

Ride around Mt. Hood was a shot of the mountain looking to the north.

Social distancing shadow.

Getting out

The dry weather has arrived in Portland just days after the summer solstice, hopefully our rainy June will be replaced with sunny days in July.

I did manage to squeeze one bike ride at the beginning of the month, I headed out of Portland in search of nicer weather in central Oregon. I was optimistic, so I headed east and managed to out run the rain. My luck held out the whole day until I was ready to cross back into Oregon at the Bridge of Gods. I got caught in one of the biggest, wettest rainstorm I’ve ever been in.

I got soaked! It was raining so hard the cars were pulling off the highway. I pressed on for the next thirty miles and was almost dried out when about ten blocks from my house, the Oregon weather gods emptied their clouds on me again.

I’m hoping to get out of town for another trip after the fourth of July, wish me luck!

Time to hit the starter button

The auction world is starting to slowly come back to life again! But it may not be like it was before the shut down. The wholesale car auctions are slowly clawing back to life again.

The independently owned auctions have begun running cars through the building but at half capacity and with dealers wearing masks and exercising social distancing. The larger corporate ones, are completely simulcast with no one in auction arena. Both seem to be working, so we’ll see what happens as we get into the summer.

All my fundraising events were cancelled in February, March, April and May. I’m not sure when these auctions will return to the time when patrons would sit shoulder to shoulder with 200-600 of their auction friends. I have an event in August which is held outdoors, it still a go so we’ll see how we do.

I’m back flying again, but I kinda miss my drives to Vegas.

Virtual Auction

Hello Everyone,

I want to let you know I have an alternative to the the traditional live auction.

My long time friend, Clint Kaster owner of Smart Tech AV has the capability to help you organize, produce and manage a virtual auction. He can provide all that you will need to produce an in studio auction, or he can bring his equipment to the location of your choice. 

This format is an excellent way to stay connected to your all important donors and have fun at the same time. 

I would be happy to answer any question you may have also. 

I hope to see all of you this fall, or a redo of 2020, in 2021. 

If your interested contact Clint at Clint@SmartTechAV.com

Be safe out there.

Time to think

I’ve worked as a wholesale auctioneer for thirty years, which means driving and flying to my weekly auction gigs. I have relied on airplanes to get me to where I’m going. Up until three weeks ago it seemed to be the perfect business plan! Not anymore.

I was still taking my weekly flight to Las Vegas on Wednesday’s afternoons but then when lock down came to Sin City so did the my flights.

Now what do I do? Hey, I’ll drive to Vegas. It’s only a 1000 miles, and I could really use a paycheck. As an auctioneer I work as a contract employee, so if I’m not working I don’t get paid. And because of the uncertainty of being able to fly and no more work on my Wednesday’s or Thursday’s I decided to make the trip. Probably my last days of work in Vegas too.

I have always like to drive on long trips. Whether its in cars or motorcycles, I enjoy being alone on the open road. When I first started out as an auctioneer I would hop into my old Porsche 911 and drive hours to get some mic time.

I decided to take a longer route through the Ochoco National Forest, east toward John Day, south to Burns and crossing the border into Nevada.

I never even turned the radio for the drive. Instead, I spent a lot of time just thinking about the past, future and more importantly the present. Rehashing the pain of old memories, were softened by the beauty of the sunrise cresting over the mountains tops of central Oregon. As I crossed into the vast openness of the northern Nevada landscape my thoughts were replaced with the realization that all can do is accept that things are going to change, and I’ll make my way thru this situation some way or some how.

Social Distancing was in full force as I was traveling alone, paying at the pump and with no place to eat along the way.

Except for a couple stops at a Starbucks drive thru, I never saw or spoke to anyone on the way down. Which really is kinda sad. I always like strike up a conversations with the locals when I’m traveling

Hopefully, the new normal won’t be panic, fear and distance when we encounter our fellow humans when this all passes.

Everyone be safe out there.

Central Oregon sunrise.

Nevada

No waiting at the pumps.

Sunset in Northern Nevada

How quickly things can change

Hope everyone is doing well, considering the circumstances we all find ourselves in today. The auction business right now is what I would call on pause. From fundraising, wholesale and collector car auctions unless it is digital nothing is happening right now. I think the big question right now is after this passes how will business be conducted in the future. While, some only see negatives I think we’ll rebound but it may look much different than what we consider a live auction today. Everyone is going need a helping hand in the next few months, so be give a smile to that stranger and a wave to your neighbor.

2020 Fundraising Seasons swings into auction.

My weekends have been filled with fundraising auctions the past three weeks. All have been well attended with most of the auction items exceeding the value price.

I had the chance to work in two new venues this spring. The first one was the Lofts@8th ave, and at Langton Farms. One of the favorite public golf course in the Portland area. On Thursday night I returned to the famous Governor Ballroom for a paddle raise for the CAB awards dinner.

The auctioneer view of the room at the Lofts@8th ave.

Great space at Langton Farms for the St. Thomas More western theme auction.

The Governor Room at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland.

Post auction

Last week I attended the Mecum Motorcycle auction in Las Vegas. I finished my car auction in the morning headed up to the SouthPoint Casino to catch the motorcycles crossing the block on Thursday afternoon. Mecum had a great assortment of bikes. Lots of choices whether your favorite was British, American, Japanese, Italian, Spanish or German they had something there for you.

You’ll be the first on to unwrap the Italian made Bimota.

Rickman Honda 750, was a favorite of mine selling for $18,000.

Rare High Pipe 305 Honda Dream, first one I’ve ever seen sold for $22,000.

Vintage motocross bikes are on of the hottest segments of the vintage bike market.

Auction week in Vegas

It’s motorcycle auction week in Las Vegas. The Mecum auction starts on Monday and runs thru Sunday with the Bonhams auction on Thursday. I’m going to be at Mecum auction on Thursday. If you’re in the market for motorcycle head over to Vegas this week. Expect to pay top dollar for the most collectible bikes.