L ike father, like son, the saying goes. A tale as old as the creation of two-wheeled vehicles comes in the form of Larry and Tim Molzen, a father and son duo who feel the most comfortable with their grip on the throttle of a vintage motorcycle. The family business, Larry’s Auto, was founded in 1968 in LeMars, Iowa, by Larry and Sharon Molzen with a goal to repair Hot Rods, Corvettes and motorcycles. With earned success and a passion for the craft of classic automotive repair, Larry’s Auto expanded to include diesel and tractor repair, and the business was eventually relocated to Merrill, Iowa, where the Molzens continue to repair, buy and sell some of the nation’s finest classic cars. A selection of the Molzens’ personal collection of motorcycles is now slated to join the lineup of 100 select motorcycle offerings to cross the auction block at Mecum’s burgeoning Glendale, Arizona, event this March 16-19, and there are some highly desirable gems to be discovered among the 19-bike bunch. Larry Molzen began buying and racing motorcycles back in the 1960s with a special focus on his weapons of choice at the time: BSA and Norton bikes. He eventually decided to hang up his racing helmet, but he continued to collect, repair and ride motorcycles with the help of his small family business operation. His son, Tim, did what many boys do when confronted with a father’s passion and joined in on the anarchy, eagerly looking for a taste of terrain-crushing bikes that had as much style as they did power. The Molzen boys expanded their hobby over the years beyond the British brands and found many of the bikes in this collection by word of mouth, through internet searches and at auto shows. While they ultimately developed a special love for Hondas, the Molzens don’t discriminate against other makes and models either. “Everyone in our area knew that we liked these kinds of bikes. If one turned up, it seems like we would always end up with it,” Tim said, noting a certain admiration for forgotten motorcycles. “We’re very into Honda Trails, but it wouldn’t matter. If it was cool, we were into it.” With that special place in their hearts reserved for Honda, The Iowa Collection includes a handful from the Japanese builder. In its heyday, the 1970 Honda CT70H—a small and agile trail-hopper that rose to popularity in the early 1970s for its compact design and efficiency—reeled in youngsters who sought a method best suited for beginners and those looking for effortless transportation. The CT70 was a perfect addition to families who traveled and was successfully marketed to tribes who preferred the RV and camping lifestyle.
