I’m at the 3rd annual Legends of the Motorcycle International Concours d’Elegance, overlooking the green lawn filled with the history of the motorcycle against a background of the waves of the Pacific Ocean beating against the shore. The weather was partly overcast making photography easier by eliminating shadows, but a little sun couldn’t have hurt.

Last year I stated the 2nd annual was the best motorcycle show I’d ever been to and I risked my life in the unfriendly skies on airplanes that may or may not be safe (depending on whether you trust the FAA, Boeing, and Southwest Airlines) one more time because I wanna see how the 3rd annual compared. It was a slower flight this year as the air speed limit has been decreased from 500mph to 475mph to save fuel. Yeah, the 3rd annual was up to expectations: first-class bikes, cool weather, and, of course, very subtle security, polite and unobtrusive.

Jesse James, Paul Cox, Billy Lane, Jeff Decker, Timothy White, John and Jill Parham, and Keith Ball from the Harley world were there to show off their creations, to see and to be seen, and to meet and greet.

This is the most prestigious showing of two-wheeled motors in the United States and dare I say on planet Earth. The New York Times calls it the Pebble Beach for motorcycles, referring to the four-wheeled Concours d’Elegance held every year at Monterey’s famous golf course. And the venue is class (high) all the way. The facilities at the Ritz-Carlton are second to none. The bar of excellence in motorcycle exhibitions has been raised.

Vendors were very limited to the major sponsors and one T-shirt stand operated by the promoter. Timothy White had a great photo exhibit with artwork galore. It was almost too much to take in during the show’s one day and short hours. It’s a very classy upscale operation that any high-end company would be proud to associate their name with. Event promoters around the world could educate themselves by paying attention to Jared Zaugg and Brooke Roner’s production.

Some 250 impressive machines were on display from a totally restored ’42 BMW mitt sidenvagen and a stock-mounted machine gun to a gaggle of Nortons as Norton and MV Augusta were the featured marques. I have a warm spot for Nortons as I learned to ride on an Atlas and later rode a Dunstall Cafe Racer. This was the original crotch rocket with carbs by Amal, electrics by Lucas, and brakes by Girling. Norton lives on in collections around the world. The magnificently and painstakingly-restored Nortons and MV’s had to run and move under their own power. Each bike was started with help from a device that spun the rear wheel in gear to fire it up, then the bike had to be ridden under its own power not like some ride-in shows that aren’t that but in name only. Next year Indian will be the featured marque. I hope it’s only Indians produced from 1902 until 1953.

Both The San Francisco Chronicle and The New York Times gave the Legends of the Motorcycle show rave reviews. To my knowledge this is a first for these prestigious newspapers. Congratulations to Jared and Brooke for a difficult endeavor well done. You guys have the best motorcycle show on Earth.

A final word. Next year on the first Saturday in May, get your ass out to Half Moon Bay, California, for the 4th annual Legends of the Motorcycle Concours d”Elegance at the ocean- side Ritz-Carlton. Get there early and be prepared to have a great experience and enjoy the best motorcycle show in the US and maybe the world.

Bonhams and Butterfields are a super-high-end auction house that specializes in the very artsy, expensive estates, antiques, motorcycles, and automotive auctions worldwide. Motorcycle auctions represent a small, but viable percentage of their auction income. Their motorcycle auction was held inside a fancy ballroom that normally would never entertain such objects in its area. The room and its surrounding halls are more suited for a debutant ball or a formal dinner, you get the idea. Except on this Saturday that is, the room and halls were filled with old motorcycles by the dozens, motorcycle bric-a-brac, paintings, and huge electric and neon dealership signs.

My buddy, Mike Corbin, auctioned off his extensive collection of antique motorcycles, memorabilia, and motorcycle art including his Steve McQueen Indian, a couple of Crockers, and a bunch of Springfield Indians at the Bonhams and Butterfields auction at the Ritz-Carlton during the show. No, he ain’t retiring; he needs the bread so he can buy some hot-rod airplane to fool around with. His Hollister facility is just feet away from the main runway of Hollister Municipal Airport. So duck, Mike is flying. 

Giacomo Agostini

The country of Italy is well-known for producing some of the world’s finest  and fastest vehicles like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Ducatis, and the lesser-known World Championship winning MV Augusta. Italian Giacomo Agostini is the world’s winningest motorcycle racer with 15 World Championships under his belt. At the Legends he was the honoree this year joining last year’s honoree, Willie G Davidson, in receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Giacomo spoke almost perfect English with a slight Italian accent and was friendly, outgoing, and accessible. A true champion.

Giacomo was sponsored by Dianese, a world-wide sport-clothing manufacturer who makes leather-racing suits used from MotoGP riders to Bonneville record holders. They also have an air-bag suit that protects the rider when he’s ejected off his bike. Hell, if it was stylish and comfortable it might cut deaths and injuries on the road.

Englishman champion road racer Phil Read was also on hand with the American off-road champion turned bike-shop owner, the legendary Malcolm Smith. Also in attendance was Steve McQueen’s son, Chad McQueen. All the above were accessible to the attending masses.