January 10th, Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas will host a most interesting auction held by Bonhams and bringing under the hammer a bike which is thought to be the only one remaining: an 1905 Leo, recently discovered in a long-forgotten warehouse of the New England museum.
California-based L.A. Mitchell manufacturing Company of Oakland has supposedly produces this Leo Two-Cycle for just one year, back in 1905, and this makes such limited-run items even harder to find. However when luck strikes, one runs into such an exquisite piece of motorcycle history.
What's even nicer is the fact that this 107 year-old Leo is in unbelievably good shape, with original components, such as spokes and rims, and the engine still turning.
Just like other old bikes to be auctioned at Bohnams, we're looking at a purpose-built motorcycle: it has a special-design frame instead of the traditional bicycle chassis and a lightweight engine that's clearly made for riding. In fact the 1905 Leo shows some extensive signs of a good mileage, making it clear that we're looking at a proper motorcycle and not at a prototype.
What's even nicer is the fact that this 107 year-old Leo is in unbelievably good shape, with original components, such as spokes and rims, and the engine still turning.
Just like other old bikes to be auctioned at Bohnams, we're looking at a purpose-built motorcycle: it has a special-design frame instead of the traditional bicycle chassis and a lightweight engine that's clearly made for riding. In fact the 1905 Leo shows some extensive signs of a good mileage, making it clear that we're looking at a proper motorcycle and not at a prototype.