Antique Motorcycle Exhibit Opens Jan. 12
WARREN, Ohio -- The National Packard Museum's Annual Antique Motorcycle Exhibit, “Motorcycles ABC: Antiques, Bobbers, Customs,” opens Jan. 12.
This year's exhibit, presented in conjunction with the Lake Erie Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, will feature more than 30 antique, bobber, and custom motorcycles alongside the museum's Packard automobile collection.
The four-month annual exhibit attracts visitors from around the world, says Mary Ann Porinchak, museum executive director. During last year’s exhibit, the museum welcomed guests from 35 states and from Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Portugal and Russia.
The "Motorcycles ABC" exhibit will feature a few extremely rare antique motorcycles, including a 1911 Flanders and a 1917 Dayton; significant American, European, and Japanese bobbers, including an award winning 1940 Indian Scout bobber; and several vintage and modern custom bikes, including Evil Knievel's 1988 Knievel Cycle Chopper.
"The purpose of the Annual Antique Motorcycle Exhibit is to educate audiences about motorcycle history and to promote the preservation, restoration and collection of antique motorcycles," Porinchak noted. "The exhibit also is designed to raise awareness of the significance of the motorcycle to transportation history and to cultivate an interest and appreciation for the conservation of transportation-related history among motorcycle enthusiasts."
"Motorcycles ABC" will feature three types of motorcycles: antiques, bobbers and custom bikes. While the state of Ohio will issue vintage vehicle plates to any motorcycle 25 years old or older, a bike must be at least 35 years old to be classified "antique" by the motorcycle club. Antique motorcycles must be restored to their original factory condition to be eligible for judging. The most coveted antique bikes are unrestored survivors with all original parts and paint.
Bobbers first appeared in the 1920s when riders modified factory bikes by cutting or removing the fenders and other parts they deemed unnecessary to shed excess weight for speed. The first bobbers closely resembled factory race bikes of that era.
They became very popular after World War II when new motorcycles were scarce but there was an abundant supply of cheap surplus war department bikes. Most of the 1940s Bobbers were modified Harley-Davidsons or Indians.
In the 1950s and 1960s, British-built Triumphs and BSAs were commonly chopped or bobbed because of their lightweight and performance and because they were less expensive and readily available. In the 1960s, custom designs became more radical as frames were cut and modified and front forks extended, giving birth to the "Chopper" craze, captured in the film "Easy Rider."
For the sixth year in a row, the museum will present a Saturday morning lecture series in conjunction with the exhibit. These seminars are open to the public and free with paid admission to the museum.
This year’s lectures, all scheduled for 11 a.m. to noon, are as follows:
- Feb. 16: "Bobbers and Cafe Racers" presented by Jesse Bassett, designer, head fabricator and machinist of the GasBox, North Olmstead.
- March 16: "How to Restore Your Bike When the Parts You Need Are Not Available” presented by Bruce Williams exhibit curator from Cortland.
- May 11: "Motorcycle Safety for Group Riding” presented by Al Navecky, M.S.F. instructor from Warren.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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