Vintage touring, or more precisely, touring on vintage bikes, seems to be experiencing something of a lift in popularity of late. While there have always been motorcyclists who answer the call of the open road by hopping on their old /5 BMW, or for that matter anything with two wheels — count me in both groups — more and more owners appear to be turning the front wheel of their classic bike toward the open road and points unknown.

The growing popularity of commercial classic tours supports this notion. Last issue Jeremy Beer told us about Classic Bike Esprit’s Corsica tour, and coming up in September 2012, a lucky reader will join me for a 700-mile blast through West Virginia on vintage Italian twins, aided and abetted by Joel Samick and his classic bike touring company, RetroTours. If this is indeed a movement, Anders and Nic Carlson would be its poster children for recently consummating their nuptials by riding his and hers 1973 Hondas from California to Chicago. OK, so they stopped just short (read Cross-Country Honeymoon on 1973 Hondas), but that’s a good ride by any standard, and doing it aboard 39-year-old bikes makes it that much better.

Yet while Jeremy, Joel, Anders and Nic are happy to swing a leg over sometimes half-century-old iron before heading out for points unknown, not everyone shares their sense of adventure. To be sure, it takes a certain comfort with exposure to roll 1,000 miles straight on a 1974 Norton Commando: It’s not quite the same as hiding behind the mammoth windscreen on a Gold Wing or BMW R1200RT, bikes that cosset their riders with almost car-like levels of comfort and capacity.

And many people wonder if those miles can really be piled on safely and predictably. I can answer that in two words: yes, and no.

When it comes to the question of safety, I’d argue that a 1976 Kawasaki Z1 can be as safe as any modern bike. Certainly, many new bikes come with ABS, definitely a safety edge. On the other hand, many new bikes get their riders up to triple-digit speeds so quickly and easily, the average rider doesn’t really appreciate the level of exposure those speeds engender. That old Kawi is actually pretty slow by modern standards, a fact that, rationally enough, seems to remind riders to ride within the bike’s — and their — limits.

If safety means reliability, again, I’d suggest that same old Kawasaki, properly maintained and shod with a good set of tires, can be every bit as reliable as any new bike. Although it may not have the appliance-like serviceability we’ve come to expect of new stuff, e.g., multi-thousand-mile oil change intervals, no-adjust hydraulic valve lifters and big mile maintenance schedules, there’s no reason that old Kawasaki can’t go from Dayton, Ohio, to Daytona Beach, Fla., without missing a beat. It might need a bit more maintenance at the other end, but that’s about it.

Further, vintage touring on decades-old machinery tends to inspire a slower, more considered pace, pushing riders off the super-slab and into the back country, where the good riding is anyhow. The back roads are also where you find the people who will actually aid you when you’re unlucky enough to break down, like the cook at the roadside cafe in Wyoming who enthusiastically helped me glue, tape and wire a broken carburetor mounting flange on my Norton Commando.

New bike or old, there are no guarantees. Any bike can break down, but regular and preventive maintenance goes a long way toward ensuring a safe and reliable ride. And new bike or old, isn’t riding them the point? — Richard Backus 

 
Left to right: Robert McKeever, Nobby Clark and Alex McLean work on the Norton Champagne Racing Team's 1961 Norton Manx during the 2010 Bonneville Vintage GP. 

UPDATE, JULY 2, 2012: On June 13, 2012, we announced the news that Derek "Nobby" Clark, one of the most famous motorcycle race mechanics of all time and, by the way, one of the greatest guys you'll have ever the pleasure to meet, was to be inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2012. It turns out Nobby won't be inducted after all, the AMA now saying that his name never should have been on the ballot for 2012 inductees and that his inclusion was the result of an "error" in the balloting process.

The AMA isn't saying what the error was, but suffice to say the affair leaves us less than impressed. How the AMA, which purports to be the leading institution representing the history and culture of American motorcycling, could make an error of this magnitude and then take three weeks to bring it to light is beyond us. Shame on the AMA. And Nobby, we still think you're the greatest. Following is the AMA press release issued July 1, followed by our June 13 announcement. - Richard Backus 

FROM THE AMA, JULY 1, 2012: The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame regretfully announces that, due to an error in the Hall of Fame balloting process, Derek “Nobby” Clark will not be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2012, as was previously announced on June 11. 

"This is unfortunate but Mr. Clark's name should not have been on the ballot," said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the selection process for Hall of Fame nominees. "We sincerely regret this error and I have apologized to Mr. Clark on behalf of the Hall of Fame. 

"This was a difficult decision, but it had to be made to ensure the integrity of this remarkable institution," said Heininger. "We are undertaking a thorough review of our nomination process and its implementation going forward." 

About the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation
Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the goal of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Museum's three major exhibition halls feature the machines and memorabilia of those who have contributed notably to the sport. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering. More information can be found at MotorcycleMuseum.org. 

FROM OUR JUNE 13, 2012, ANNOUNCEMENT: The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame has announced that Derek “Nobby” Clark will be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame at ceremonies to be held during the AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nov. 16-17, 2012.

For 25 years, Nobby was one of the world’s leading motorcycle race mechanics. He was responsible for prepping the bikes that rode to 17 Grand Prix World Titles during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, tuning for the Honda factory race team and working with some of the greatest racers of all time like Mike Hailwood and Jim Redman, to name a few.

One of the most genuinely nice people you’ll ever meet, Nobby, now in his mid-70s, remains extremely active in vintage racing, working closely with Bob McKeever, Robert McKeever and Alex McLean of AHRMA championship winning Norton Champagne Racing Team. We profiled the team in the July/August 2010 issue. Read the story here. Congratulations, Nobby, you’ve earned it! - Richard Backus 

For more background on Nobby and his racing career, check out the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame press release here.

 
Motorcycles hanging from the ceiling of Eddie Rickenbacker's bar and grill are heading to auction. 

The motorcycles hanging from the ceiling as adornments in the famous San Francisco bar and grill, Eddie Rickenbacker’s, will be auctioned by the world’s leading auctioneer of motorcycles, Bonhams this August at Quail Lodge in Carmel, Calif. 

Named after the Great World War flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient Eddie Rickenbacker, the watering hole and eatery was established by the eccentric and colorful Norman Hobday, a.k.a. Henry Africa, himself either an army veteran, former merchant marine, or escaped Legionnaire, depending upon which version is believed.

Hobday was renowned for his creation of the fern bar concept and invention of the Lemon Drop Martini. He wasn’t a motorcycle aficionado but after acquiring an old Indian during a search for antiques and then displaying in it his bar, he realized it brought lots of attention and subsequently acquired others. Soon Eddie Rickenbacker’s became known more for its décor – comprised of old motorcycles, toy trains and antique lamps – than its fare. Over the years Hobday’s collection grew to 30 vintage machines of various years, makes and models, each displayed either in the venue’s windows or dangled from its ceiling.

With the passing of Hobday last year, the collection of motorcycles from his San Francisco landmark has been entrusted to Bonhams, who will represent it at auction during the Pebble Beach Automotive Week this coming August.

Most of the motorcycles are American marques – Cleveland, Excelsior, Harley-Davidson, Henderson, Indian, Reading, however there are many British and European makes as well – Ariel, Monark, Moto Guzzi, Motosacoche, New Imperial, Nimbus, Peugeot and Triumph, among others.

The famous Eddie Rickenbacker’s Collection of motorcycles joins the extraordinary group of American motorcycles from a private European collection that includes the much anticipated and talked about three Crocker road models.  This impressive assembly of nearly 60 two-wheeled machines will be offered Thursday, August 16th at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California – the first day of the two-day automotive auction hosted by Bonhams.

With Thursday being dedicated to motorcycles, Friday (August 17th) will be dedicated to motorcars, such as the astounding 1997 McLaren F1 GTR racer that has the car world abuzz. Entries for motorcycles are now closed but Bonhams is still accepting entries of unique and important cars for consideration. Interested sellers may contact Mark Osborne in San Francisco at mark.osborne@bonhams.com or Rupert Banner in New York at rupert.banner@bonhams.com.

To register to bid, order a catalog, and to learn more about these motorcycles and/or motorcars, visit http://www.bonhams.com/quail.