The town is now peddling the signs that were once stolen at least twice a year, presumably by fans of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Harleyville started selling the green-and-white signs six months ago and more than 700 have been bought for $20 each, netting the town $5,600 after suppliers' costs were paid. It costs an additional $5 for shipping.

The signs, which apparently have a prestige among some cyclists, had been disappearing from their posts, prompting the police chief to plead with people not to steal them.

But since the town put a price tag on the signs, at least one thief has paid for his stolen sign.

"I have a Harleyville sign in my garage that I 'happened upon' about fifteen years ago," the handwritten note from Alliance, Neb., said. "I'm enclosing my check (actually a money order) for twenty dollars. ... Now I'll consider it mine."

The manila envelope had a return address of "Just Me," and included a newspaper clipping and photograph of the garage where the sign hangs.