Lovely 1951 Vincent Rapide took top honors at the 2010 HoAME Rally & Show held at the Airline History Museum in downtown Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 6.
The Heart of America Motorcycle Enthusiasts Rally & Show at the Airline History Museum in downtown Kansas City, Mo., was a resounding success, as an estimated crowd of 2,500 classic bike fans roamed through the museum’s cavernous hangar to check out the hundreds of classic Hondas, Harleys, Nortons, Ducatis and more that were on hand for last Sunday’s show.
One-owner 1974 Ducati 750SS, all original except for paint. Beautiful.
Japanese bikes were strong this year, with an excellent sampling of Honda CB750s, CLs, a few Suzuki and Kawasaki dirt bikes and more. There was lots of variety, however, ranging from a beautifully restored 1968 Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson Sprint 350SS to a spectacular 1951 Vincent Rapide, and with just about anything else you could think of in between. Rarities on hand included a 1969 Norton 750 Ranger, a 1974 Ducati 750SS (one owner!), a 1952 Zundapp KS601 with factory-fitted Steib sidecar, a single-cylinder J.A.P.-engined flat tracker, a Laverda 1000, and my favorite, a one-owner 1967 Honda CB450 Black Bomber with just over 2,100 original miles on it – and the owner rode it to the show!
Lovely 1968 H-D Sprint 350SS.
The bikes were more than cool enough, but all eyes were on the tarmac when the museum staff fired up the 1958 Lockheed Super Constellation that’s part of the Airline History Museum’s permanent collection. Smoke belched from the plane’s left inside engine as it roared to life, then the air cleared and the staff gave the engine a little leash, letting it spin up and run smoothly for three or four minutes. Very, very cool, and I can only imagine what it sounds like when all four engines are running.
1958 Lockheed Super Constellation firing up for a short run during the HoAME Rally
They only fired up one engine, but it was still impressive!
The parking lot was a show in itself, with literally hundreds of cool bikes parked out in the afternoon sun. There were some nice machines for sale in the parking lot, including a very pretty BSA Lightning and a café-d Norton Commando.
Very nice BSA Lightning was for sale out in the parking lot, as was the tricked Norton Commando behind it.
Motorcycle Classics had a booth at the show, and our almost-complete Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville Build was a hit. It was hugely gratifying to see the interest in our modern classic retro build, and we’re looking forward to showing our Triumph again at the upcoming Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic June 11-13.
The Road America show is only a few days away, so now’s the time to check your tire pressure and top of your fluids for a spectacular weekend of vintage motorcycle racing, riding and showing. We’ll be there hosting the Motorcycle Classics Ride & Show, featuring a leisurely 40-mile ride through the Wisconsin countryside Saturday afternoon. The ride is scheduled to leave at noon, followed by judging and awards in seven classes at 5 p.m., including People’s Choice and Best Rider. Register your bike now for the Motorcycle Classic Ride & Show, and don’t forget to enter to win the Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville Build.
2011 will mark the 20th year for the HoAME rally, so expect even bigger and better things as the club prepares for what we’re certain will be their biggest and best show ever. Dates have yet to be set for the 2011 show, but plan for another early June Sunday; we’ll post them as soon as we get them. Don’t miss it! – Richard Backus