Martins Motor Sports Modern Classics Show March 12, 2011

2011 see's Martin's Moto Sports first ever "Modern Classics" exhibit 100 bikes that represent the 60's-80's. Lots of amazing bikes in one room. Everyone who came to see the show got to vote on their favorite, though I'm not sure who won. I got a chance to play with new camera, so I'm still figuring out settings and what not, but I managed to shoot a handful of what was on display.

Al Hartmans beautiful 50's pre unit Triumph Speed Twin

Another view, legendary PA cycle engineer, Don West
in background admires the bike.

Pre war Norton Single

52 Vincent Black Shadow

74 Ducati Sport

Laverda

1975 Triumph Trident t160

Believe it or not this is an 89 GB500TT Honda.
Named after the legendary race in the Isle of Mann. Nice!

Triumph Trophy 650

Based on an Ossa, this special bike was produced by John Taylor
to contain two 250 2-strokes making it a 500 twin.
Dick Mann designed the frame.

Special sand casts were made for the case.

More info on this unique bike.

Norton Commando.

Harley Davidson Aermacchi.

1972 Laverda 750.

Moto Guzzi.

Rickman Frame.

Ducati Desmo 450

BSA Oil In Frame Lightning 1972 I think.

Norton Comando clubman bars and seat.

BSA Starfire 250

Velocette Thruxton model.

1968 BSA Spitfire 650

Triumph Dayton 500

67 MV Augusta 250

MV Augusta Twin leading Shoes.

twin Delorto carbs. 

66 Aermacchi M50 Sport

Honda Dream

1967 Triumph Bonnie with TT pipes

Jimmy Varnes  (in Grey Jacket) raced this Goldie in the 60's

58 BSA Goldstar Dirt Tracker

Rev Counter

GP carb

54 Triumph T20 Tiger Cub Drag Racer w/cutom gas "tank"

Nicely painted

Single 200 CC

Plunger frame.

65 Triumph Bonnioe

Jimmy Varnes 63 Silver Star unit 650.

Pipes by "Snuff Engineering"

Look closely at the exhaust on this Triumph picture clipped out of an old moto-mag. Galvanized threaded pipe (used in plumbing) with two Briggs and Stratton silencers on the tips. Apparently it gave the bike a "nice purr".

My cousin, the great motorcycle wrencher John McIlvaine, had this picture hanging in his old business, The Hodaka Shop, 30 some years ago. My dad, being the "water guy" by trade, was "cited" as the engineer behind these "kustom" pipes. Funny stuff.

The sticker shows our very first address for Brandywine Water Systems.
We moved out of that place in 85 so this is older than that

Check out the plumbing!

NORVIN Vincent - Norton Specials manufactured in ltd. run: £400!

Yes that's right. for only £400 you can have a factory built Norvin Special with specially built Featherbed frame for only £400. All you need is your time machine, travel back to 1960,  buy one, pack it nicely for storage suitable for 50 years, hide it in a cave (ala Back To The Future III) return to the present time and, if hidden properly, go dig out your ultimate cafe racer. In fact buy two, sell one and keep one. Hell buy as many as you can - just don't try to bring the bike's back with you on your returning trip through time, because everyone knows you can't have any foreign objects in a time traveling device or you'll fuse together, in this case forming a hybrid man and machine... like in The Fly.

Vincent Amanda Jet Ski and Lawn Mower

Speaking of Vincent Motorcycles (probably the most expensive and sought after British bikes) I came across a Vincent "Wave Runner" on ebay. These "Amanda" models are rumored to have been Vincents demise, as the fiberglass melted on some and may or may not have caused a drowning or two. This is all internet allegations so who knows, but we're talking about a VINCENT JET SKI here!

A friend of mine, Al Hartman, piped in that he once hauled a Vincent LAWN MOWER for someone. Imagine the GO KART you could make with that... if you wanted to pull apart one of the worlds only collectable push mowers.... (pictures lifted from San Francisco Vintage Cycles, check them out and support!)

Vincent Lawn Mower!!!!

Hand grips similar to the Black Shaddow

Is that a fork dampener?

Vincent Amanda "Jet Ski"

A little primitive, it has a propeller which can't be safe if you fall off.

New Dice Mag lands in my mailbox. Issue 36

Quick heads up. Dice 36 just dropped and the Vincent racer featured is a beast! Also, somewhat of an oddity for a primarily chop 'n bob book, is a 59 streamlined Velocette lakester from down under. If you're over 40 and think like a 60 year old purist, Dice isn't for you - but if you're under 50 and think like you're a 20 year old who finds stock bikes boring, and VICE magazine funny, this is your rag.... but I digress.

Packed in this issue is the assortment of mid century Harleys styled like 2010's interpretation of the 70's - ya follow? Thats all fine, but I really dug that the Vincent and Velo were included - though content is minimal. Keep mixing it up, Dice - Variety is the spice of life right?

Cover can be converted to coffin tank

VIncent! I'd've made the bars a bit wider, but thats just me

Velo going for a land speed record.