With 101 bikes on display, the showroom of Martin Motorsports was transformed into a classic bike museum for a day.
Photo By Joeseph Luppino
Early
March isn’t typically the most active time for motorcyclists in southeastern Pennsylvania. But the
late winter chill didn’t stop Martin Motorsports in
annual Modern Classics show on March 2. Entitled “The Motorcycles That Made You
a Motorcyclist,” the show is an invitational featuring historically significant
bikes of all marques, primarily from the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. More
than 1,200 attendees checked out the 101 entries that transformed Martin
Motorsports’ showroom into a “Museum for a Day.” In addition to rides like a
1985 Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica Mille, an all-original 1973 Moto Guzzi V7
Sport and a near-perfect example of a 1990 Honda RC30, visitors also got to
view a rare 1957 Islo 175 Carrera. The Mexican made (but Morini-powered)
classic was Islo founder Isidoro Lopez’ dream bike, intended for competition in
the classic Italian city-to-city races like the Motogiro. Sadly the races were
discontinued, and Lopez passed away before the dream could be realized. Four of
these bikes were built but just two survive, including the one shown at Modern
Classics.
Guests
also relished this year’s special class of competition bikes. An Indian 750cc
Sport Scout that has been raced almost continuously since it left the
Springfield, Mass., factory in 1936, a Suzuki RG500 Grand Prix bike, and a 1972
MV Agusta 350 Electronica Twin featuring Giacomo Agostini’s autograph on the
tank were just a few of the special attractions among the 40-plus racing
machines.
A
unique element of the Modern Classics show is the professional photo studio
that’s set up on site. Each bike in the show is professionally photographed and
included in a collector-quality photo book to document the annual show. The
books are popular coffee table items among both fans and bike owners, and the
series are becoming collector items in their own right.
Next
year’s 4th annual show is tentatively scheduled for early March. Mark your
calendars. And start polishing.
1957 Islo 175 Carrera is one of two survivors of just four built.
Photo By Jack Broomall