HOG AUCTION: SEIZED HARLEY MAY GO ON SALE

Forsyth Sheriff Ron Barker wants to auction off a 1993 Harley Davidson Fat
Boy taken from a drug dealer to buy two new motorcycles for his department.

The bike, which has about 4,000 miles on it, was seized during a 1994 drug
arrest. It has been on display for several years in the lobby of the
sheriff's office.

"It's just drying out down there," said Undersheriff Robert Joyce. "It
needs to be ridden."

Law-enforcement agencies are allowed to sell a court-seized vehicle after
holding it for two years. According to Kelly's Blue Book, the retail value
of the coveted 1993 Fat Boy is $16,400.

The motorcycle is painted blue with black leather and chrome fixtures.

"We hope to get enough to buy two bikes to use for special events," Joyce said.

If given the OK by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, which must
approve the sale of county property, the auction is scheduled for Saturday
at 10 a.m. behind the sheriff's office on Town Run Lane in Winston-Salem.

The winning bidder will be required to pay for the motorcycle that day.

With the money, Barker hopes to buy two Harley Davidson police models at a
total cost of about $26,000.

He would also have to buy radios and other special equipment, including
riding gear for the deputies who would use the bikes.

Joyce said that whatever costs can't be paid with the proceeds from the
auction will be paid from the department's pool of drug-seized money.

Several counties now use police-model Harleys, including the departments in
Guilford and Davidson.

The Winston-Salem Police Department has several special-model Kawasaki
motorcycles.

Joyce said that the sheriff's department would use the two Harleys for
funeral escorts, parades and traffic enforcement. Two deputies would
probably be assigned to the Harleys.

"They are just some situations where a bike, because of its small size, is
more useful than a cruiser," he said.

The commissioners will vote on the proposed sale at their meeting Monday night.

Michael Biesecker can be reached at 727-7338 or at mbiesecker@wsjournal.com.