Motorcycle Fashions: Laverda

April 16, 2012

GATHERING OF THE NORTONS

3:39 PM

The Delaware Valley Norton Riders held their 19th annual 'Gathering' at historic Washington Crossing State Park, which is neither in Delaware or Washington, but Pennsylvania. Having grown up in the great big state of California, it was novel crossing state lines several times in the course of a 75-mile ride from Manhattan to rural Bucks County.

The countryside, once we broached the vast conurbation of NYC, was still struggling into Spring, with trees yet branchy on the hillsides barring the occasional wild pink cherry, and bulbs throwing caution aside in clumps of brilliant yellow and white. The threatened rain didn't, and a warm muggy day was our reward for venturing out amongst the valleys and rivers of New England's rolling hills.

The universal moto-greeting...done differently in every country. In the US, its a low-key wave, maybe just two fingers, while in France one waggles a foot

I didn't hear an official count, but the Gathering is the first official Vintage event of Spring, and riders hungry for an excuse to bring out old iron take up the cause in droves, with typical attendance of 600ish bikes, which seemed about correct. Vintage machines formed a nucleus on tarmac within the park, with more modern machines spread among the grass and trees in frankly prettier circumstances, and a walk to the 'other' areas revealed many a bashful old machine set alone to bask quietly in the sun.

52 Nortons at last count, including ES2s, Dominators, Atlii, Commandos, Kenny Dreer bikes (as above), and a solitary New Norton for display

The Internet is a modern boon for riding buddies, and notices in the NYCVinMoto and NYC Britbike riders e-groups made it easy for a complete stranger (albeit one with a distinctive website) to find like-moto'd company for the highway. Thanks for keeping the freeway cruising speed down for my little Triumph Daytona, gents...

I've never had an issue with blued pipes per se; they're pretty

My '73 Triumph Daytona 500cc, the smallest bike on our ride...but totally reliable

A beautifully restored Norton Dominator 88 in wideline featherbed frame and chrom tank, ca.1955/6

The poetry of gear...

Plenty of rarities and oddities in the lineup, including this seldom-seen Benelli 250 'Quatro' with Guigiaro styling, and a Craig Vetter styled Triumph X75 Hurricane

This Tiger rider is a Lewis Leathers fan...

Trying out the new Norton Commando 961 Café Racer for size.

The fellow in blue brought 7 bikes of his own, by inviting 6 friends to ride with him! Generous...

American Pastorale...Shovelheads amidst the trees. The red one reminds me of 'Lee Roy'...

The evocative cockpit of a Laverda SFC production-racer

The equally evocative triple-pipes of an X75 Hurricane

No roads required; a pair of Brit cow-trailers par excellence. A Royal Enfield Clipper and '74 Triumph TR5 'Trophy Trail'

A gleaming Triton, acres of polished alloy...

...offering a clear reflection!

Definitely rare and desirable; a 1928 Scott TT Replica, the hottest Scott around, which handles perfectly, and sounds amazing on the boil...

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February 8, 2012

3 DAYS IN PARIS: THE BONHAMS SALE

11:12 AM

Lovely 1931 Moto Guzzi Type 15 Sport graced the entry

A soon-to-expire plane ticket to Paris was all the excuse needed for a jetlag-be-damned 3 day trip for Retromobile, the Bonhams Paris sale, and making contacts in the City of Light. Winnowing the 1400 photos from this visually stimulating trip means splitting up my 3 days into 3 posts, the first of which concerns the second annual Bonhams Paris sale outside of Retromobile (having been unceremoniously given the boot two years ago to make way for family-of-the-management Artcurial Auctions), this year at the Halles Freyssinet, the oldest reinforced concrete industrial building in Paris.

A touch of glam in the grand industrial hall...

La Freyssinet is better known as home to many of the Paris Fashion Week runway shows, but this month the catwalk had equally sexy Facel Vegas and Laverdas under the bright lights. And, if you have the cash, you can take the models home with you...which may also be true during Fashion Week, but we won't go there...

Mezzanine level held the food concession and a lounge - and a great spot to watch the action

Bonhams collected a stunning array of vintage cars into the hall, and managed to make the industrial space quite chic on the sales floor, with supercharged Amilcars and Bentleys vying for floor space with the auction seating and Automobilia cases. The motorcycle collection was sourced from all over Europe, and ranged from a 1902 Clément (which I added to my currently modest garage lineup) to some fairly new Ducatis. The photos tell the story; some good stuff was available in Paris, and plenty of bidders filled the auction floor.