Apply this same wisdom next time a Krate or some other desirable bike comes up, and goes for way more than even you could afford or want to afford.
Triumph Choppers used to a low buck alternative to a Harley, and now they are priced up as high as Sportsters are. Recently a Paughco gas tank ("axed harley") like one that someone handed me for free ten years ago went for over 500 bucks and it was in worse shape than my freebie. A KHS Aerotrack just went for $530 on Ebay, I paid $75 for mine used 5 years ago. Most of the time it's not even about what I could afford it's about what I would be willing to pay, which is why I still don't have a looptail "P.K.Ripper". I'll keep my eye out at yard sales and cross my fingers, you know, the old fashioned way to score collectables.
Some people just have big wallets and just want bragging/whining rights as to how much they paid, or they are hoping to flip it for more money. They have no passion, except for the almighty dollar.
I hope Mr. Leno wins this auction, he is a true car guy, with as much passion as he has money, one of the few.
I find the story of Ed Roth's Orbitron much more interesting and palatable. A guy knows a guy who has the car, he contacts a friend, and someone who actually restores and collects Roth's stuff gets it and hands it off to small group of capable guys, who either worked with Roth or are Roth historians. No Ebay, just cash and handshakes, the way it was and should be.
http://www.theorbitron.com/
