Indian motorcycle restoration expert Bob Stark built this 1953 Indian Chief almost entirely from new-old-stock parts; it's never been started.

More than 25 motorcycles owned by legendary Indian restoration expert Bob Stark will cross the block at Bator Auction’s inaugural California Classic Motorcycle Auction this coming June 4-5, 2010, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Included in the bikes to be auctioned is a 1953 Indian Chief that Stark constructed almost entirely from new-old-stock parts, a build that took him 37 years to fulfill.

We say “almost” entirely from NOS parts because Stark, owner of Starklite Cycle in Perris, Calif., used original engine cases and an original frame. The rest he sourced as NOS, pieces never installed on any bike previous to this build. The finished bike is, predictably enough, quite spectacular, and whoever walks away with it will have a unique piece of the Indian legacy. The bike’s never been started, and it’s unquestionably one of a kind.

Also in the auction are three 1968 Sammy Pierce Indians, among a handful of bikes Pierce made when he was trying to revive the Indian name in the 1960s. Pierce, by the way, helped Stark start his operation in the early 1970s. The bill also includes a 1917 Indian B-17 (a Hedstrom-engined machine made after Indian switched to the Powerplus engine in 1916, it’s one of three known to exist), a 1939 Brough Superior SS100 (unrestored and original, and supposedly the very last one ever built), and a 1971 Munch Mammut.

This Sammy Pierce Indian Scout is one of three on the auction bill. This is the only known survivor with this unique fiberglass bodywork.

Bator has lined up over 150 machines for this auction, which he plans to make an annual affair. Bator, whose credits include the classic bike auction held during the annual Barber Vintage Festival and the Daytona Classic during Daytona Bike, says, “It’s about time California had an annual vintage motorcycle auction worthy of the bike enthusiasts and devotees that define West Coast road culture.”

Looking at the current line up of bikes, it should be a pretty interesting auction. Even if you’re not in the buying mood, there will be plenty of unique and interesting machines to view. Check out the full auction bill at the Bator Auction website. – Richard Backus 

Riders line up for the start of the 1956 Catalina Island Grand Prix

The famed Catalina Island Grand Prix, held annually from 1951 to 1958, attracted thousands of spectators and hundreds of riders to Catalina, a 176-square-mile island 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. Like the Isle of Man in England, it was perceived as an elite event, and its success inspired BSA to name one of its bikes the “Catalina Scrambler.” Now word comes that racing will return to Catalina in December following a 52-year hiatus.

Last run in 1958, the race was inspired by the Isle of Man TT, which has been held on the Isle of Man 70 miles off the coast of England since its inception in 1907. The Catalina Island race was proposed to Catalina Island owner Phillip Wrigley with the idea of drawing more people to this little known spot off California’s southwestern coast. Wrigley liked the idea, and thus was born the Catalina Grand Prix. The first race was held in 1951, and in the years following it became one of the most hotly contested events on the West Coast, drawing superstars and emerging talents to vie for top honors as they blasted through the main port town of Avalon and up into the surrounding hills.

We found this image showing the 1954 Catalina Island Grand Prix course at www.race-dezert.com, posted by Hog Wild, who noted the 2010 course will have more in-town miles than was used in the 1950s.

The island has been under the control of the Catalina Island Conservancy since 1975, when Wrigley deeded his shares to that group, which he had a hand in creating. Since then, the CIS, as it’s called, has opposed any return to racing, although it has allowed some motorcycle events, such as 2008’s Catalina Grand Prix Reunion, a static show that celebrated the glory days of racing there.

Just what turned the tide to a return to racing, we don’t know. There’s been suggestion in some corners that the Wrigley family, which supposedly still holds influence in the island, pressured the CIS to encourage the Avalon city council to grant a permit request from AMA District 37 Motorcycle Club for the race. Importantly, the permit for this year’s race is a one-time only. Avalon’s mayor was quoted in the Catalina Islander saying, “The success or failure of this event is going to dictate whether anything like this happens again on Catalina.”

My Cuz Vinnie Promotions is promoting the event, and we understand they’ll have a web site up with complete information on the upcoming race by mid-June. We’ll post that information as soon as it becomes available. – Richard Backus

Motorcycle Classics readers in and around south central Texas should point their bikes this weekend to New Ulm, Texas, for the 26^th Annual British and European Motorcycle Rally, May 14-16. Hosted by the British Motorcycle Owners Assoc. of Houston, the three-day rally has grown into one of the biggest vintage events in the state, as thousands of classic bike fans converge on the small town of New Ulm, just west of Houston.

Always held the weekend after Mother’s Day, the three-day event is much more than a show, harkening back to the old days of motorcycle gatherings with field events including grass drags, balancing contests (ever try to ride your Bonneville the length of a 2 x 4? It ain’t easy!), barrel rolling and ring tossing, among others. There are plenty of vendors on hand and an active swap meet, and the rally ends on Sunday with the club’s annual show and awards presentation.

Expect lots of eye candy, with truckloads of Nortons andTriumphs on hand (the club is affiliated with the Triumph International Owners Club and the International Norton Owners Assoc.), plus BSAs, BMWs, Vincents, Ducatis and just about every other great European bike you can imagine likely to show up. Motorcycle Classics regular contributor and Texas resident Corey Levenson will be taking in the show, so look forward to a follow up report on the rally in a future issue of Motorcycle Classics. – Richard Backus