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Vintage motorcycles will be roaring into Michigan

By RACHEL SHALLENBURG
AntiqueWeek Correspondent

HICKORY CORNERS, Mich. — June 14 the Gilmore Car Museum will have something different to offer its visitors. That day will be reserved for the two-wheeled machine, the motorcycle. Hundreds of motorcycles will be on display at the 14th annual Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet.

The show features motorcycles 20 years and older. They are displayed underneath flags of their country of origin.

The museum will be offering a special exhibit, History – ¼ Mile at a Time. This exhibit looks back at drag racing through the years and also includes motorcycles.

Among the bikes featured in the exhibit are Les Lynema’s 1977 Kawasaki, “The Mistress” drag bike and two Chevy V-8 bikes raced by E.J. Potter. Potter is known as “The Michigan Madman.” He acquired the name by being one of the most exciting and adventurous drag racers of the 1960s and 70s. He would accelerate to speeds of 170 miles per hour in a quarter mile stretch.

There will also be a 1912 Pierce-Arrow motorcycle, built by the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. A 1919 Johnson Motor Wheel will be on display, which is the predecessor to the Johnson Outboard Motor, both models will be displayed.

Also, an unrestored 1914 Harley-Davidson V-twin will be on display. The bike is on loan to the museum from the original owner’s family. The bike was parked in a barn since 1921. This bike is similar to the one driven by Della Crewe. Crewe was the first woman to drive across the country on a motorcycle. She drove from Waco, Texas, to New York City in 1915.

As a preview to the Sunday event, there will be a free preshow vintage motorcycle ride on Saturday, June 13. Any bike built before 1989 is welcome.

“The parking area alone becomes a wonderful bike show itself,” says Michael Spezia, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum.
There will be a ‘bike corral,’ full of vintage bikes for sale. There will also be bike parts, a swap meet and several new motorcycle dealers there to offer demo rides as well.

The museum is known for its expansive collection of more than 200 automobiles. The museum hosts 10 to 12 shows a year, but this is the only vintage bike show.

The museum is located in west Michigan, on 90 acres of land near Kalamazoo. The cost is $8 a person, which includes all museum exhibits.

Contact: 269-671-5089 or visit www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org

6/10/2009