Friday, January 3, 2020

2020 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show is Jan. 25

Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show poster.
Yamaha is the theme of the 2020 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show,
but you will see everything else there as well.
If you're in Florida Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 do not miss out on the 14th Annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show. If you're not in Florida, fly in!

The event is a short Uber ride from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. It's South Florida's biggest vintage motorcycle show, with 400 antique motorcycles on display under the trees in an (almost always) warm and sunny public park.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Frost Park, 300 NE Second St., Dania Beach. Map here.

It's free, with a small fee to enter motorcycles for judging.

The Everglades Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America conducts the judging. For this year that means no motorcycle newer than 1985 is eligible. Classes are American, European, Japanese, English, Competition, Scooter, Cafe Racer and Modified/Custom. Entry fees are paid on site, with registration from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This year's theme is Yamaha motorcycles but, believe me, everything else will be there.

And I mean things you wouldn't imagine, like antique bicycles that will make you wish you were a kid again. As a new grandfather, I think I'm qualified to say that this is the place to get any youngster interested in two-wheelers. (You might need to stop at the bicycle shop on the way home.)

Don't miss the vendors and the oddities at the swap meet.

I've attended every Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show since 2009 in spirit, at least — a friend provided photos of the one show I missed. I have great memories, and you can see my photos of past shows at the links below.

In 2019 I met a man name Vincent who told me his father had owned a Vincent Black Shadow — and he was named for it.

Motorcycle with spikes on tires.
Elstar ice racer looks like a Medieval weapon.
In 2018 I admired the 1970 Elstar ice racer, tires studded with spikes, the very bike that appeared in the movie "On Any Sunday."

In 2017 I spotted a 1916 Indian Power Plus with a tool kit that included a hammer labelled "If you can't fix it with a hammer you probably have an electrical problem."

Motorcycle with only one front fork tube.
Single tube front fork in 1950. Wow.
In 2016 there was a 1950 Reidel R100 lightweight showing off its startling single front fork tube!

In 2015 it was an antique bicycle that most impressed: an 1890 Pierce, with shaft drive and swing-arm rear suspension. In 1890! No brakes, though.

In 2014 I thought the 1960 Royal Enfield Fury at the show was the shiniest Royal Enfield I'd ever seen. It was also the only Fury I've ever seen.

Men watch young woman paint stripes on motorcycle.
They hardly breathed as she painted stripes on Norton tank.
In 2013 a young woman painstakingly painted stripes on the tank of a vintage Norton as an appreciative crowd of men watched in admiring silence.

In 2012 Kenneth Maginnity of "India on an Enfield" provided the photos, as I couldn't go. He has an eye for shiny chrome tanks and battered old boozefighters.

Long prop rod holds up motorcycle.
God's own kick stand on wartime BSA.
In 2011 a 1943 BSA M20 military motorcycle showed a "kick stand" that was more like a prop rod, swinging out from the top of the frame to ground. Wish I had one like that.

In 2010 I had to hand it to a 1966 Triumph rat bike, a rolling wreck with checked tires and foam peeking out of the seat. People who ignored shiny perfection in other show motorcycles stared at this one.

Spare wheel mounted on side of motorcycle.
Not just a spare tire; a spare wheel rides on 1950 German motorcycle.
In 2009 I was floored (so were the judges) by the 1950 Imme, with its complete spare wheel and tire.

I can't wait to see what I find to enjoy in 2020. Here are links to the Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show photos I've shot through the years.

Photos of 2019 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2018 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2017 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2016 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

More photos of 2016 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2015 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2014 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2013 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2012 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2011 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2010 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Photos of 2009 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

1 comment:

  1. I like the acid level on the BSA with the side stand. That must hold a charge real well. lol

    ReplyDelete

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