4th Annual Vintage Motorcycle Show in Biloxi, MS
Check out a few of the classics that came out to the annual Vintage Motorcycle Show.
The Mad Potter and the "MBVMC"
George E. Ohr was known as the Mad Potter because, well, he was a bit crazy. That's probably what inspired the engineers and designers of the fine art museum of his namesake, located on the beach in beautiful Biloxi, Mississippi. That structure is a weird and wild building complex that holds his very interesting art. "MBVMC" is the lengthy acronym for the Mobile Bay Vintage Motorcycle Club, and thanks to them, the vintage bike scene is alive in the Gulf South.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Sweaty Knuckle
This crusty Knuckle is exactly what one would expect to see at a vintage motorcycle show, it's old, un-restored, sweaty and rusty. This Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead looked like it was kept alive by baling wire, zip ties, and a solid composition of prayers and 50-year-old grease and crud. We loved it, it's exactly how anyone would imagine theirs would be if, that is, we actually had one. We know that "patina" is a buzzword these days to basically describe old stuff that nobody wants to clean up, but in this Knuck's case, the patina tells the story of its life and resiliency.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Retro Cool
At the other end of the show was a bike that's considered to be "retro vintage". At first look, one may see the Springer front end, the old cake pan-looking primary cover and that fancy little ornament on the front fender and think that this is an antique. Others will see the modern rear shocks, tank console, forward controls, and engine jugs that look suspiciously like those of a modern TwinCam and immediately call it a fraud. Not us, we see this bike as a retro classic that pays homage to its ancestry.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
All American Pan
This red Panhead screams America. It's chrome-plated bumpers, racks, guards, fishtail exhaust and Springer forks epitomize American steel of years gone by. Bikes like this Panhead and the Flathead and Indian behind it are becoming increasingly rare. Before long, these vintage shows will be dominated by Ironheads, Evolutions, and Twincams.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Pan-aramic
When we first arrived at the show, we immediately gravitated to this black Panhead. Black is a very dignified color and the way it contrasts chrome is magnificent. This Panhead embodies the spirit of Milwaukee, the USA in the 1950s.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Vintage bikes have a soul
Anyone who has been riding long enough will hear that phrase. But, what does it mean? All of these vintage bikes were once new, and all of the new bikes will one day be vintage. So, when exactly does a bike get its soul? Who knows? Science can't explain why soul food makes you feel good, or why soul music makes you wanna move your body or even why the devil went down to Georgia to steal some fiddle playing kid's soul. Sometimes, we just have to accept these things like the wonderful mysteries of the world that they are.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Humming along
Another cool part about attending a vintage show like this one is that you get to see bikes that you normally don't get to see. Bikes like this 1951 Harley-Davidson Hummer. A faithful restoration, this bike serves as a reminder to all those folks out there complaining about the new machines that Harley-Davidson is putting out. Bikes like the Livewire, the Pan America, the Bronx, all of the e-bikes and of course, the Streets (which are not really my cup of tea). While many of us prefer the heavy, loud, chrome-laden machines, we have to remember that Harley-Davidson has colored outside the lines several times throughout their history.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Sprinting for a win
Bikes like this 1967 Harley-Davidson Sprint are a great example of the MoCo coloring outside of the lines. Back in the 1960's Harley-Davidson bought 50% of the stocks of the Italian aircraft company, Aeronautica Macchi, after they started making motorcycles under the name, Aermacchi. The purchase ushered in a whole line of new, small, inexpensive motorcycles that were produced by Aermacchi for Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson recognized, even back in the 1960s, that they had to remain competitive with other motorcycle manufacturers.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Competing for sales
Manufacturers like BMW have dominated the European markets and have since moved across the pond to the United States. Harley-Davidson knew, long ago, that they needed to have some stock in the European market, and the Aermacchi merger gave it to them. While these two machines are drastically different, they were sitting together at the vintage show and we think it was a fitting arrangement. Both machines were built by European hands, but they represent two different continents.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Not just old Harleys
The Mobile Bay Vintage Motorcycle Club represents all makes of the vintage bike scene. Many of their members have more than one bike and precious few of them are Harley-Davidsons. The MBVMC also isn't a "motorcycle club" in the typical sense that most people relate to, either. They don't wear vests adorned with matching patches or claim territories, they operate more as a car club does. Their big events are their vintage bike shows. They have regular meets, but the big ones are usually only a few times per year. Typically held in the fall, the event at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi usually has a good turnout. This year's event had over 70 vintage bikes show up for the show. While that may not be as big as other vintage events in the country, the smaller event tends to feel very comfortable and relaxed... much like a gathering of old friends.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
Sponsored by...
Any good event needs an equally good sponsor and there isn't a better one than French & Son's Motorcycle Shop in Gulfport, Mississippi. While this isn't meant to be a plug for their shop, we do hope that it helps them out. French & Son's is a father-son-son independent motorcycle shop with a collection of gear for all of your bike needs. But what makes this shop really special, isn't the helmets, gloves, grips, tires and oil changes, it's the owners. French & Son's patriarch, George French sponsors the MBVMC event because he is truly passionate about antique motorcycles. George has an impressive collection of vintage bikes and his son, Danny, is also in on the vintage action with a nice collection of his own. They are also very gracious stewards of their profession. They freely give advice and service tips for those of us that like to turn our own wrenches and they also offer up support to anyone who needs it.
Motorcycles are as unique as their owners and every one of us is passionate about what we ride, but there is also a unique relationship among riders. We are social loners- we enjoy camaraderie and fellowship but embrace solitude. We wave at other riders, just because they are riders. We help each other without being asked and we give back to our communities whenever we can. When we arrived at the show, we were immediately greeted by friendly faces and warm conversation and it reminded us, yet again, why we write about this lifestyle and why we love life on two wheels.
Photos courtesy of John Barnes
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