Special preview for media only
Viking Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America hosts "press preview" of rare bikes at National Meet
Viking Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America hosts "press
preview" of rare bikes at National Meet
/24-7PressRelease/ - MINNEAPOLIS, MN, June 07, 2007 - Get an exclusive "press preview" of exceptionally rare antique bikes on display at the National Meet of the Viking Chapter, Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Inc. to be held at the
Minnesota State Fairgrounds June 14th at 4:00pm.
"This is the biggest event for antique motorcycle enthusiasts in 2007," said Viking board member Sean O'Neil. "During our meet on June 15th and 16th, we are going to have over 120 bikes on display, covering models from all around the world and all across the twentieth century. This will be the largest display of antique bikes ever seen in Minnesota."
The Media are invited to an exclusive showing of select motorcycles on Thursday night. This will be a great opportunity to get an in-depth narrative behind the bikes from antique motorcycle experts. The press preview will be a great way to avoid the crowds during the National Meet on Friday and Saturday and get a personal tour.
"We're really excited about our new location," said O'Neil. "We've held this meet down at Farmington for over thirty years, but needed a larger venue. At the State Fairgrounds, we're going to have plenty of outdoor space for vending and camping and a huge building for indoor displays."
The feature attraction will be the return of the Wall of Death to the Fairgrounds. Some visitors may remember the 1927 Indian Scout being raced around a great wooden barrel from visiting the State Fair years ago. Whether 80 years ago or today, performing stunts while riding on a vertical wooden wall is the MUST SEE of the summer.
To attend the Press Showing on Thursday night or to obtain press passes during the event, please contact Sean O'Neil (listed below).
For a complete run-down on the National Meet, visit the Viking Chapter web site. A complete list of maps, directions, facilities, fees, and much more is detailed at http://www.vikingmc.org/national
* Contact:*
Sean O'Neil
moneil2@comcast.net
Viking Chapter
Antique Motorcycle Club of America
http://www.vikingmc.org/
5528 13th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-870-0766
Partial List of Bikes on Display Thursday June 4th at 4:00
Vincent Bonneville Racer
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/vincent.jpg
Local St. Paul Vincent guru, Steve Hamel, began chasing his dream a few years ago when he set his sites on breaking Rollie Free's 1948 record on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Rollie's famous run, at 150 mph, made the cover of Life magazine, in part perhaps, because of his lack of attire. He wore just a bathing suit and someone else's tennis shoes.
Last year Steve Hamel's, much-modified Vincent Black Shadow, stopped the clocks at 155 mph and change. He had finally upped Rollie's record by five mph.
1948 Indian Bobber
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/bobber.jpg
Steve Doeden had a "starter kit" when he purchased this Indian Chief some eight years ago. It had come out second best in a duel with an immovable object. Fortunately the engine, frame and gas tanks survived. Steve had the makings of a period bobber or "cutdown" as they were also known.
Springfield, Massachusetts, was home to the legendary Indian motorcycle. Founded in 1901, at one time Indian was the largest producer of motorcycles in the world. But by the time Steve's machine rolled off the assembly line in the late 1940s Indian was struggling to stay afloat. Ultimately Indian packed it up in 1953, gone from the American scene.
1953 BSA Cafe Racer
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/caferacer.jpg
During the 1940s, 50s and 60s we built bobbers and choppers while across the pond, in England, they built cafe racers. The premise was to copy road racing machines of the day. Like bobbers any unnecessary items were discarded.
Owner Joe Anania started with a very much abused BSA model B34A a single cylinder 500. Luckily the engine was pretty much intact, if not completely worn out. All things considered the B34A provided a good platform for a cafe racer. Joe's day job for over 25 years was in commercial aircraft repair and maintenance. Looking at the machine Joe's attention to detail shows through.
1950 Moto Guzzi Astore
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/motoguzzi.jpg
A very rare model, especially in America, from the famous Italian maker Moto Guzzi, this Astore reflects the artistry found in Italian machines. Note the heavily-finned horizontal cylinder and external flywheel, affectionately called the "baloney slicer."
Moto Guzzi was founded in 1921 and has a long and glorious history which includes the stunning 500cc V-8 racer from the mid 1950s. Currently Moto Guzzi produces only twin-cylinder machines having dropped their beautiful singles years ago. The company soldiers on, despite traveling on a rocky financial road of late.
1944 Harley
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/Harley1944%20.JPG
During World War II almost all of Harley-Davidson's production was directed to the war effort. However a few Flathead and Knucklehead models were produced for civilian use such as police departments and other security duties.
Joel Hamel's Harley F Model Knucklehead first saw service in the Winnipeg Police Department in 1944. By the late 40s the Harley was released from police duty and sold to Bob Nichol, a former Canadian fighter pilot. Later Bob sold it to his brother Jim who in turn sold it to Hugo Dettman. After years of use Hugo gave the bike to his daughter, Clara and son-in-law Joel Hamel with the promise that is should remain in the family.
1912 Harley-Davidson
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/1912Harley.JPG
This Model X8A Harley was the top of the line for a single-cylinder machine in the 1912 model year. Harley had produced a V-twin as early as 1909 but it wasn't well sorted out and only a handful were sold that year. By 1912 V-twins from the Milwaukee firm were still quite rare and most riders preferred to stay with a dependable single-cylinder machine.
What makes the X8A the deluxe model, you ask? Its magneto ignition and clutch in the rear hub are the main components setting this machine apart from the standard Harley singles. For 1912 Harley also debuted their patented sprung seat post. It must have been like riding on a cushion of air over the rough roads of the day.
1948 Harley Bobber
http://www.vikingmc.org/national/images/HDBobber.JPG
Starting with a somewhat common 1948 Model WL Harley 45, builder Elmer Ehnes, created this outstanding period bobber. The late 40s and 50s were the heydays for bobbed motorcycles. Motorcyclists during this period, with an interest in customizing their machines, often bobbed the rear fenders. In addition to bobbing or removing the front fender other nonessential items found there way to the scrap pile. All in an effort to lighten and personalize these machines.
Check the "fish mouth" muffler. Elmer's creative side is at work here. Teeth and fins came from saw blades which were cut and modified to fit.
Press Release Contact Information:
Vincent O'Neil
RVON Enterprises
Media representative
629 East 625 South #33
Ogden, UT
United States 84404
Voice: 801-393-8004
