Vintage motorcycles shine in Dania Beach

I couldn't get over this lovely 1939 Ariel Red Hunter.

The 18th Annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show Saturday had plenty of sunshine and gorgeous motorcycles to warm the hearts of showgoers. On to the photos. 

1939 was a good year for The Vincent-HRD. Shown by Steve Ebbs of Highland Beach, Florida. 

 

Note the legs shields and enclosure of motor and drive train on 1939 Francis-Barnett J45 Cruiser. Intended to keep the young executive's clothes clean on the way to the office. Two-stroke Villiers engine. 

I couldn't get close enough to find out what was so interesting about this Triumph.

Half helmet rests on patinaed 1937 Indian Chief.

Union flag marks section for British bikes at the show. Yes, it's upside down. Studies show that most Brits can't tell either.

Safest place in these crowds is on daddy's shoulders.

1968 Triumph Trident looks a bit boxy, doesn't it?

...indeed, that Trident typeface is very uncool.

But the triple-barrel Trident exhaust is awesome.

Bruce Gipson's 1942 Royal Enfield WD/CO was the only Royal Enfield I found on show. This was the mount of the famous "DR's" (Dispatch Riders).

Very tidy looking 1971 BSA Thunderbolt 650.

The 1971 BSA bore a "Made in England" decal.

An example of the coming BSA Gold Star was at the show, too. "What year is it?" one man asked. "2024; it's brand new," was the answer.

A circa 2005 Stella Atomic Fireball scooter and sidecar combination.

Stella's slogan was "Be the Kid in the Candy Store." The scooter at the show had its parcel shelf filled with candy.

Circa 1951 Swedish Monark M400 motorcycle. Notice the neat cantilever rider's seat.

Friends of the Library ride-'em motorcycle was fun.

Winnebago motor home advertises its inner beauty.

1951 Danish Nimbus draws attention of law enforcement. With shaft drive and telescopic front forks, the Nimbus was popular with police and postal services.

Photos of great motorcycles, big and small

The 1922 Gillet-Herstal looks toy like but was a real motorcycle.

What is it in motorcyclists (and all humans) that allows us to appreciate both the exquisitely delicate and the grotesquely muscular?

Every sort and variety of motorcycle could be found at the Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show Jan. 26. My eye was drawn to two very different examples:

One was a 1922 Gillet-Herstal, a 3.5-horsepower Belgian motorcycle so dainty it almost dares you to ride it.

The other was a 1938 Ford flathead V8 motorcycle, so hulking it invites you to try to ride it, if you dare.

1938 Flathead V8 in a motorcycle, a seeming impossibility.

Both motorcycles are works of art.

Surprising, in a way, is that it was the slim Gillet-Herstal that was intended as an actual transportation device. Founded in 1919, the company knew something about building motorcycles, remaining in business until 1958. Its motor bikes quickly grew into serious motorcycles, some tugging sidecars and serving with the military.

The flathead motorcycle is a one-off show bike. As one spectator commented, it's so low to the ground it can't be ridden at all unless its suspension is adjustable.

Delicate ignition control on Gillet Herstal suggests using a light touch.

It is the Gillet-Herstal's control levers I couldn't get over. They appear as fine as dental instruments.

Meanwhile, the flathead probably doesn't need a transmission at all. Its carburetors breath through binnacles that rise through its fuel tank, steamship style! A square Model-T style radiator keeps it cool.

Binnacles rise through the tank to feed air to the flathead V8.

Bob Campbell of Miami showed the flathead motorcycle. I didn't get the name of the Gillet-Herstal owner.

I wonder if either owner ever rides his work of art very far?

Slim two-speed gear selector on Gillet-Herstal.

Best motorcycle photo is often a close-up, if you're careful

1937 Rudge Ulster entered by Ike Miarachi, of Hollywood, Fla.

When it comes to vintage motorcycles, I find the appeal is often in the details: the clever solutions to common problems, a small part that becomes a bit of shiny jewelry, the pride evident in the display of the brand name.

So, at motorcycle shows, I very often tend to take close-up pictures of details I appreciate. Besides, sometimes bikes are displayed in such tight ranks that it's hard to get a nice over-all picture, even of an overall beautiful motorcycle.

Police lights light up an elderly Indian.

Taking close-up pictures was what I was doing at the Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show in Florida last weekend when I almost got in trouble. No, I didn't accidentally swing my point-and-shoot camera against someone's precious polished gas tank.

What caused concern was that I was down on my knees photographing the words "Made In England" cast into the engine case of a 1948 HRD-Vincent Black Shadow. The owner quite reasonably asked if what I was doing was photographing the serial numbers.

1948 Vincent/HRD proudly displays its origin.

I don't know much about rare Vincents, but I know that there are issues involved with cloning expensive motorcycles and their paperwork. Embarrassed, I hastily explained what I was doing. In the picture published here I have carefully blotted out the numbers that were visible under "Made In England."

Once reassured, the owner kindly pointed out the details of the motorcycle, certainly one of the fastest of its day. The reversible rear wheel, for instance, provided an extra rear sprocket for duty pulling a sidecar. Imagine asking a thoroughbred like this to pull a cart!

1948 Vincent/HRD entered by George Bathory of Hollywood.

It was a different world, alright.

Vintage motorcycle show in Dania Beach displays bikes from polished perfection to come-as-you-were

Reflection in tank of 1954 BSA Gold Star; this motorcycle took third place in the Miller 500 at Daytona in 1954.

Not a single Royal Enfield motorcycle was on display Saturday at the Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show, and mine wasn't eligible to enter. The show, at Frost Park in Dania Beach, Fla., was for motorcycles more than 35 years old.

My 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet still has a way to go. I hope it's still running at 35. For that matter, I hope I'm still riding it when I'm 84!

There were plenty of other great motorcycles to see. Here are photos of some of my favorites:

1908 Indian board track racer entered by Sherry and Ed Mechan of Sea Ranch Lakes.

 This pristine Indian board track racer got plenty of attention.

1911 Indian Twin entered by Alexander of North Miami Beach.

"What an adorable little toolbox," one woman enthused about the tiny leather box atop the tank on this blindingly bright Indian. I had to agree.

1967 Norton P11 entered by Bill Scherer of Fort Lauderdale.

Just as bright and just as red was this Norton, with lovely pipes curved to run inside your calves. Must be good for keeping warm on a cold day.

Veteran rider aboard veteran Indian motorcycle.

 This weather-beaten Indian parked at the swap meet wowed the crowd when it started on the first kick. "Nothing wrong with that engine," the man declared. "I use that bike every day."

1943 BSA M20 entered by Mark Tortora of Fort Lauderdale.

The prop rod on the side of this BSA M20 exceeds the concept of "kick stand" by a good margin. It must provide tremendous support.

1972 Triumph Tiger TR6R entered by Tim Purvis of West Palm Beach.

To my delight, a good number of motorcycles were deliberately unshiny. Check these dusty dials and wrap-around cables. The fun is in the riding, not the cleaning.

1947 Triumph 3T entered by Roger Rodriguez of Hialeah Gardens.

I even admired the rusty barrel of this Triumph twin. This motorcycle has not hidden from the elements.

1970 Triumph TR6 rat bike entered by Larry Wingett of Sunrise.

You can't top this prize winner, in the "Rat Bike" category, who plopped a (fake plastic) dog plop on the seat as a finishing touch. The kickstand of this motorcycle was secured by a sort of auxiliary spring the manufacturer never dreamed of.

Just part of the crowd visible up one aisle of motorcycles.

The Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show is not a gated affair, so there are no numbers available, but everyone I talked to thought the crowd was bigger than ever at this Fifth-Annual affair.

Royal Enfield surprises vintage bike lovers

A Royal Enfield Bullet proudly posed with other great motorcycles Feb. 1 on the second day of the motorcycle gathering in Dania Beach, Fla. I wrote that my unwashed Bullet was the only one present the first day, and it was parked on the street far from the show bikes.

Michael L. Woulfe put his pretty Bullet at the center of the line-up for a fun run the next morning. Here's his account:

"About 50 bikes -- about half antiques -- took part in the Sunday poker run. No bikes broke down. But, the chase vehicle with the rescue trailer did! Mine was the only Royal Enfield. Yes, an intentional ringer, and boy were people surprised when they read the information card I attached and saw it was a 2002!"

The two-day event was run by the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Everglades Chapter. The chapter has its rules about what motorcycles are eligible for competition, but things were more relaxed for the Sunday fun run. Thanks for showing the Royal Enfield flag, Michael.

Vintage motorcycles shine in Florida sun

1950 Imme (German) carries a spare wheel and tire.

My Royal Enfield Bullet took a "First Available Parking Space" award last weekend at the vintage motorcycle show in Dania Beach, Fla. True, this was a self-awarded honor. The Antique Motorcycle Club of America Everglades Chapter assigned real winners in categories honoring American, British, European and Asian motorcycles.

Winning Brit was Triumph TR6C SR.

A 1965 Triumph TR6C SR took first place in the British class. The owner generously pointed out that the 1967 TR6C parked next to him was just as perfect.

Proud tank of 1965 Triumph TR6C SR.

The club also exercised great common sense. The 1911 motorcycle entered had already won a prize so the award for "oldest" motorcycle went to a 1929 Indian Scout.

British competitors muster around Union Jack.

The award for "Most Unique" went to a motorcycle I would not have believed existed had I not seen it. The 1950 Imme carries a spare wheel and tire! It also had a very neatly fitted tire pump.

I am a sucker for low mirrors and bar end lights.

Bullet lights on 1957 AJS casquette.

This was the third year for the Dania Beach event and 87 motorcycles were entered, almost triple the number of the year before. Harley-Davidson was well represented, of course, but British motorcycles abounded. There was a nice line up of Japanese motorcycles, but only a few BMWs.

1971 Velocette only a mother could love.

Mine was the only Royal Enfield on hand, even in the parking lot. This was an event for vintage motorcycles that actually are old, and my 1999 machine wasn't eligible to enter. But it wasn't the only bike doing mundane duty. A lovely 1952 Vincent Black Shadow was helping prop up its owner's art show tent. A concrete block would have done as well but the owner just smiled when I asked about it.

It was a sunny day, a good day for a low-key motorcycle show.

Vincent Black Shadow props up booth.

Winner of "First Available Parking Space" award.