Panoramic shot of the 10,000-square-foot Modern Classics Show floor at Martin Moto in Boyertown, Pennsylvania.
For the sixth consecutive year, a collection of stunning motorcycles from the 1960s through the early ’90s heralded the coming of spring at March 4-5 Modern Classics Motorcycle Show at Martin Moto in Boyertown, Pennsylvania.
The 2016 show featured 107 motorcycles, representing 33 different marques, and provided guests with a time machine journey to the motorcycling universe as it existed some 30-40 years ago.
For many the highlight of the show was the 1994 Britten V1000, one of the only ten examples of New Zealander John Britten’s masterpiece. For others, perhaps it was the pair of 1977 MV Agusta 850SS or the tasty selection of Motocross, Trials, and Enduro machines on display — including examples from long defunct, but well respected, manufacturers like OSSA, Montesa, Maico and CZ. Also featured was a display of Triumph Bonnevilles Through the Years, including all the important variants from 1959 to the present day. A wide variety of other interesting period machines, literally from A to Z — Aermacchi to Zundapp, populated the 10,000 sq. ft. show floor.
Artist Makoto Endo painting the Britten V1000 during the Friday Evening Modern Classics Kickstart Party.
The Modern Classics is not a judged show, but it does feature voting, by the guests, for a People’s Choice Award. This year that award was nabbed by a brilliant custom based on a ’72 Triumph T120 from Justin Reid of Longwood Customs in Plainfield, New Jersey. There is also the prestigious Modern Classics Exhibitors’ Choice award as voted by the show bike exhibitors themselves- literally the pinnacle of peer recognition. That award was captured by the recently completed, and eye popping, restoration of a 1968 Kawasaki A7 350cc Avenger by Tony DeSantis, of Middlesex, New Jersey.
Since 2015 The Modern Classics has been a two day event. The event commences Friday evening with the Modern Classics Kickstart Party – a fun filled evening featuring food, drink, period music, a performing artist – the well-known motorcycle painter Makoto Endo, and of course the 100+ bikes on display. Then The Modern Classics “Museum for a Day” follows all day Saturday.
The highly regarded Modern Classics VII returns to Martin Moto and Boyertown on March 3-4, 2017. Mark your calendars now.
A great example of the classic motocrossers on display at The Modern Classics — 1978 Montesa VB360 Cappra.
1951 350cc “Gordon Jackson Replica” AJS Trials.
Beautiful 1975 OSSA 250cc Desert Phantom on display at The Modern Classics.
One of two 1977 MV Agusta 850 SSs on display at The Modern Classics. This one with the dealer optional Magni fairing.
The second 1977 MV Agusta 850 SS. This one unfaired.
Ultra rare Britten V1000 — one of only 10 ever built.
2016 Modern Classics Exhibitors Choice Winner — 1968 Kawasaki A7 Avenger from Tony DeSantis of Middlesex, New Jersey.
2016 Modern Classics People’s Choice First Place Winner — 1972 Triumph T120 Custom from Justin Reid and Longwood Customs of South Plainfield, New Jersey.