Bike-urious reader Steve King was at the 14th Annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show yesterday, and he’s kindly ofered to share some photos from his visit for those of you that weren’t able to attend! Click on any image to enlarge it.
Story and Photos by Steve King.
We made our annual trip to the Dania Beach Vintage Bike Show at Frost Park yesterday, 1/25/20. The weather was beautiful, and there were, as usual, hundreds of motorcycles from all over the world. This year’s theme was Yamaha, but all brands were represented in force. Among the many classic Triumphs, BMWs, HDs, BSAs, Ducatis etc, that were present, the bikes pictured here stood out to me this year, although they aren’t necessarily the most valuable, rare, or popular:
This is actually an $80k modern recreation of an ultra rare BMW R7. These bikes are in production by Nostalgia Motorcycles, based in Miami. A combination of modern BMW running gear and extensive custom work.
The bike that started the dual purpose craze in the ’60’s, Yamaha’s legendary DT1, a 250cc 2 stroke that sold like proverbial hotcakes!
Flying Merkel board track racer from the ‘teens.
Simply classic. Harley Davidson’s 1968 XLCH, as Cycle World put it back then, the King Kong of motorcycles back in the 60’s. Although “only” 883ccs, nothing stock could top it in a straight line. This example was better than they were on the showroom floor back in the day!
Ducati 350 Desmo, a fast, lean, great handling Italian motorcycle that held its own against the Japanese motorcycle invasion of the 60’s and 70s, primarily due to its advanced engine valve technology. Desmodromic valves had positive opening and closing, allowing a Desmo to hit very high engine rpms and develop great horsepower. This example was flawless, and at 350ccs, a bit rarer than the 250cc version.
The Livewire! Harley Davidson’s electric motorcycle! Without a doubt, the most usable electric bike coming on the market. The wave of the future? An amazing development by HD! Will they have demo rides at Daytona?
A personal favorite, the Hodaka Ace 100 and its competition brother, the Super Rat. I cut my teeth racing motocross on a heavily modified Hodaka in the ’60s. It was racing on a shoestring, thanks to these well engineered competitive little bikes, and more fun per dollar than just about any other sports activity back then.
Kawaski’s H2 2 stroke 750cc triple. The most brutal bike you could buy back in 1972, without a doubt. Back then, my best friend Al had one. I did a quirky feature story in Cycle News involving us riding the beast to Worth Ave in Palm Beach (His bike, along with a bikini clad blonde draped over it, was the cover that week!). But my main memory was me on the back, and Al pulling wheelstands at 60 mph on 441 on the way up there! Good times.
The original Rickman-bodied Bultaco Pursang. If you knew how to ride, nobody would beat you on a TT or moto x track. Simple, but Spanish companies like Bultaco had come up with the perfect formula within the limits of existing technology for dirt racing back then.
Known as the “Twin Jet 100” these little Yamahas were a revelation in 1967. Everything else in the beginner class was single cylinder, then Yam came out with these little 2 cylinder screamers. An acquaintance of mine got one. He let me ride it. When I didn’t return for about an hour, they almost called the police on me!
One of the rarest Harleys, but you’d never know just by looking at it. HD came out with a bicentennial tribute in ’76. For some reason in ’77, they then decided to come out with this bike, “The Confederate”! Grey paint and rebel flags are straight from the factory. It didn’t sell well, and is one of the lowest numbered HD production bikes. This example was in cleaned up barn find shape.
1956 AutoMoto, a French built motorcycle I’ve never seen before. Engine looks like a 2 stroke, so maybe an Aubier & Dunne, which the company reportedly used after WW2. Around 1962, AutoMoto was absorbed by Peugeot.
Another one I’d never seen before, the 260cc 1923 Cleveland. One sold at the 2019 Las Vegas auction for close to $20k. The bike was noted for many innovations back in its day, and was good for about 40mph and 75 mpg!
1927 Excelsior Henderson 4 cylinder Deluxe. You cant get any more classic! A 35 hp motor, this was one of the last 4 cyl bikes from this company as their 4 cyl production ended in ’28..
Frost Park, bikes around the infield!
Everyone thank Steve for sharing his experience – you can check out more of his photography here!