In case you haven't heard yet, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museums exhibit Motocross America: The Early Years began its national tour on April 1st at the San Diego Automotive Museum.

The exhibit showcases the history of motocross for audiences in Southern California, a regional home for many racing champions, past and present. The exhibit runs through September 25, 2008. San Diego BMW Motorcycles is proud to be a gold sponsor of the exhibit and has one of the beautiful R 1200 GS Adventures on display in the museum lobby. Other sponsors include: Cycle Visions, The Early Years of Motocross Museum, the Owen Collection, Valencia Sports Group, Vintage Iron, Racer X Magazine, and John Lefevre c/o Vintage Husky.

The museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, composed of over 22 museums and cultural institutions and often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West.”

For more information on Motocross America: The Early Years visit  www.sdautomuseum.org ,  www.motorcyclemuseum.org or  www.motocrossamericasandiego.com . 

Advertised as the last Velocette produced, this 1971 Velo LE is one rare find.

The auction for this 200cc, flat twin LE says the bike has just 153 original miles and was the very last Velocette to roll of the production lines in Birmingham, England.

Most Velocette fans are much more familiar with Velocette's more traditional single-cylinder bikes, but the "Little Engine," a flat twin, side-valve engine, won over many users and became very popular in the UK as a police motorcycle. The bikes had a reputation for near-silent operation, and were extremely sturdy and well built, running for years with just a small amount of regular maintenance.

This bike is listed as being completely original except for the battery, and it comes with the original tool kit and tire pump.

To see the auction, go  here . 

Here's a bike we just had to share with our readers. When was the last time you saw a Honda CB160 with just 56 original miles on it?

Assuming it's original, this little bike has got to be quite a rarity. Though the seller mentions that the side covers have been repainted, the bike appears to be in quite nice condition and is sure to make a great bike for someone to ride or just admire.

To see the auction, go here.

From the folks that bring us all those great vintage motorcycle T-shirts, gear and more comes an event that's not to be missed. Metro Racing is proud to host the Second Annual Larry Weiss Memorial. See the press release and more info from Metro racing below.

"Meet legendary Harley-Davidson Racer Jay Springsteen and the country's best vintage flat track racers this Friday and Saturday night.

Don't miss exciting vintage flat track motorcycle racing - Friday night June 27th and Saturday night June 28th at the Square Deal Riders Club in Harpursville, NY - just outside of Binghamton. Racing action starts at 7:00 p.m. Jay Springsteen will be on hand to sign autographs and meet the fans.

Also, see the country's top vintage racers on some of the most amazing two-wheeled race bikes in the country including bikes from the 40's, 50's and 60's. The dirt will fly on the 1/4 mile oval as racers reach speeds of 70mph under the lights. There's also a bike show, swap meet, and free checkered flags for the kids. Ride in, drive in or walk in, but don't miss the area's best show on two wheels.

Visit www.metroracing.com for more details."

More from the website:

"The Second Annual Larry Weiss Memorial is June 27th and 28th. This is the fourth year for the AHRMA National Double Header and the second year for the Larry Weiss Memorial. And if you missed it last year, get your butt there this year! Round 6 and 7 of the AHRMA/VMC Racing Frames National Dirt Track Series. AHRMA Points will be awarded for both nights on this lightning fast 1/4 mile cinder track. An additional class for the this event is the Spanish Short Track Attack. This class (only) is free to sign up, no AHRMA points awarded, but a very cool trophy for those that race. So bring your 250cc Spanish dirt track bike to take on the other Bultacos, Ossas, and Montesas of the era. The other very special trophy of the weekend is the Larry Weiss Memorial Trophy. This is awarded to the winner of the 70's Singles Class on Saturday night. Last year, Tom Morgan, took the trophy home and promised to bring it with him this year to take on anyone else that would like it. Along with the trophies, all of the podium finishers (1st, 2nd & 3rd) get champagne with the race logo on the front awarded by the Metro trophy girls. This year, ALL riders will receive a special participation award too. Racing times for both days will be: Practice at 5:00PM, Racing at 7:00PM."

While we hear about a lot of great races, rallies, shows and other classic motorcycle events around here, the International Norton Owners Association's Endless Mountains Rally almost sounds too good to be true.

Running from Monday, July 21st through Friday, July 25th, the rally will take place at the Ives Run Campground on Hammond Lake in Tioga County, located in North Central Pennsylvania.

For information on the campground, visit http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/tioga.htm 

For more information on the rally, see the press release below.

The INOA Endless Mountains Rally

The Home to the 2008 INOA National Rally, this is a truly scenic area full of natural beauty, wonderful roads to ride, little traffic, and the bonus of having the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon right around the corner.  This is the kind of place you will want to return to time and time again – friendly folks, rural landscapes, scenic vistas, and awesome roads.

The agenda is set and we have many things in place including: hamburger/hotdog night sponsored by CONO & NONO, coffee by Ontario Norton Owners, tech sessions, Bike Night in Wellsboro Tuesday evening, a local band on Wednesday night after a delicious BBQ chicken dinner, breakfasts by NCNO, field events, group ride to the Grand Canyon, Concours and the Awards Banquet on Thursday.  Did I mention the group ride to Watkins Glen on Tuesday, which includes 3 laps of the International Raceway (priced separately)?

Ives Run Campground is owned and operated by the Army Corp of Engineers and is sited adjacent to Lake Hammond.  The facility is well maintained with many campsites having water and electricity hookups.  Most sites are paved with lots of grass separating each campsite.  Many of the campsites have scenic views of Lake Hammond.  All of our scheduled events will take place at or adjacent to the Lakeside Pavilion with its grand view of the lake and surrounding area.

There are no cabins or other types of shelters for rent at this campground.  There are numerous hotels in Wellsboro just 12 miles down the road from Ives Run (www.wellsboro.com - follow the link for “Local Business Directory”).  There is a dedicated swimming area on the lake with a sandy beach and adjacent changing and shower facilities.  Power boating is allowed on the lake.

Please do not make reservations through the campground facility.  For those who intend to stay at Ives Run Campground, camping fees are on the registration form.

Any questions about the rally can be directed to Tari Norum by phone at 215-741-0110 or by e-mail at secretary@inoanorton.com.

See you there!

This week's eBay searching led us to an unusual discovery, and one that we just had to share with our readers. Between 1977 and 1979, Harley-Davidson produced just 1,923 XLCR's, and it's not too often you see them up for sale.

This 1978 model shows just 18,000 miles and appears to be in decent, though not perfect shape. According to the listing, it wears original paint (except for the rear fender and right side cover) and is in nice running condition. Also included are the original carb (as it's currently running a S&S Super E), the stock risers, seat, rear shocks, side stand and tires.

Though the XLCR's looks imply performance, aside from tthe black finish and the siamesed exhaust, the XLCR used the same 998cc V-twin found in Harley's Sportster.

To see the eBay auction, click here.

According to a recent press release, Brough Superior has a new owner.

"Following an amicable negotiation with the Card family, Netherton Industries Ltd. is pleased to announce the purchase of The Brough Superior Engineering Limited, together with the assets of The Brough Superior Engineering Limited. This follows the earlier acquisition of Brough Superior Motorcycles Limited.

"The acquisition includes the patents, the intellectual property rights, and the exclusive rights of the trademark and logo, of the historically renowned company.

"The transaction is the brainchild of Englishman Mark Upham, the manager of British Only Austria GmbH, purveyors of rare and unique British motorcycles, and who has been appointed CEO of the new Brough Superior operation. Upham, 51, is a life long enthusiast of Brough Superior motorcycles. He takes this opportunity of expressing his thanks to Mr. Card for protecting the Brough Superior assets during the period in which he was the official custodian. 

"In the meantime it should be stated that the company’s intention is to preserve, protect, and promote the prestige and momentum, which continues to attach to the Brough Superior legend."

More research on the topic led us to the "The Vintagent" blog ( http://thevintagent.blogspot.com ), where the author claims new CEO Mark Upham is already on his way to manufacturing a new Brough Superior SS100.

To read the the story from "The Vintagent," go  here .

If you've ever loved the sleek lines of BMW's great R100RS, you won't need much encouragement from us to get on eBay now and check out this bike. But in case you're not familiar with the R100RS, we've got that covered too. Check out the Motorcycle Classics story from our January/February 2008 issue entitled "The Seven Piece Suit" here.

One of just 200 Motorsport editons available in Police White and Rennesport Red, this bike shows just over 43,000 miles and appears to be in good original condition with original paint.

To visit the auction for this gorgeous BMW, go here.

Duke Video has just released highlights from the Isle of Man TT in 1958, 1959 and 1960 on CD 100 years after its first race, the Isle of Man TT remains the greatest motorcycle race on Earth, and as it enters its second century Duke is offering fans a rare opportunity to own vintage recordings from a golden period of the event’s history.

Originally released on vinyl as part of the Stanley Schofield Sound Stories archive, these wonderful recordings include highlights from the 1958 Senior TT, sounds from racing in 1959 and coverage from 1960.

The roaring engines and distinctive exhaust notes of classic machines, including MV Agusta, Norton, Matchless, BSA, AJS, BMW and more, are complemented by the authoritative commentary of TT winner and BBC commentator Graham Walker. Graham’s script for each recording was prepared by his son, the now world-famous “Voice of Motorsport” Murray Walker – and Murray makes a few appearances adding his own familiar tones to the TT soundtrack.

The recordings have been digitally remastered to enhance the listening experience, and to make these CDs a real treat for enthusiasts, the sleeves notes written by Graham Walker are reproduced in full.

The first CD features the Senior TT from 1958 and highlights from the TT of 1959, including practice, the Formula One, Junior and Senior races – as well as a rare trip to testing at Jurby airfield. As well as race coverage and the sounds of the machines, the recordings feature interviews with legends of the sport, including John Surtees, Geoff Duke, Bob McIntyre, a young Mike Hailwood and more.

The 1959 Senior TT was a dramatic event, run in horrendous weather conditions. In these recordings you can actually hear the howling wind which faced the riders on the Mountain as they battled for glory. You’ll also hear machines in action on both the famous Mountain Course and the Clypse circuit, and the debut of Honda in the Isle of Man!

The second CD, which features two discs, has highlights from the 125cc and 250cc Lightweight races, Junior and Senior TTs and the Sidecar competition, back on the Mountain Course for the first time in 35 years.

This is a chance to hear the likes of Surtees, Hailwood, McIntyre, Carlo Ubbiali, Gary Hocking, John Hartle, Derek Minter, Luigi Taveri and more putting classic machines through their paces. You’ll hear marvellous sounds from the likes of MV, Norton, Honda, BMW and Morini at full chat as they pass the landmarks of the world-famous TT circuit, with the Walkers charting the race action as it unfolds.

The 1960 TT was packed with history-making events, including the MV-dominated 125cc, 250cc and 350cc races, and the first Senior TT to be won at an average speed of more than 100mph!

The Senior TT 1958 and TT 1959 and the Isle of Man TT 1960 CDs are priced at around $22 and $30, respectively.

More info at www.dukevideo.com or email mail@dukevideo.com.  

While looking for specs for Laverdas in our Motorcycle Classics Motorcycle Database, we ran across this 1970 Laverda 750S American Eagle. The first big Laverda twins were imported into the U.S. by Jack McCormack and his McCormack International Motors in Santa Ana, Calif., starting in 1968.

This 1970 model would have been among the last American Eagle-badged bikes, and it's the only "S" model we've ever seen. American Eagle was liquidated in early 1971, after which Laverdas were marketed under their own name. This bike has a claimed 2,700 miles, and a look at the photos provided supports that number. It's a clean, unmolested original, and the seller claims to have the original McCormick International documents, as well. American Eagles have historically priced out lower than their Laverda-badged bretheren (they're mechanically identical), and this one's a bit pricey at the current bid of $5,500. Then again, with those kind of miles and its overall condition, it might be a good buy, as you'll probably never find one this original and complete again.

See the auction here.