Not sure if this hasnt been covered by others but was wondering what catches your attention with bike shows and which were/are your favourites to attend.
Last show I took my chop to the best british was won by a Triumph Rocket engine in a hand made frame with air ride suspension etc etc. The rumour (Good source but unsubstantiated) was that the bike cost $110,000 to build. It was a very nice bike, dont get me wrong but nothing built or modified on a small budget was going to get near it. The Autosalon competitor of bikes. There was a lot of fabrication on this bike and I am not sure it was even regisered as it was trailered to the show.
Sh** my trumpy didnt even cost $10,000 to build (Including the donor bike) unless you were to factor in a cost for the actual build time and the Bourbon, Bundy and XXXX gold consumed in the process. ; )
It was a good show and the band/Tattoo comps were great but I was a bit disappointed wih the roll up of bikes. In fact I reckon a couple of bikes in the carpark would have just aout taken the show out.
As for handbuilt vs bolt-on, they both have a place but are certainly a different breed from each other. My 62 Trumpy is just about all hand fabricated/modified except engine and frame, my 2007 Bonnie is all bolt on except a couple of brackets I made, my lowrider is all bolt-on. Be nice to see a show for bikes where there are more categories and the bikes must be registered and ridden to the show.
It was a pretty well organised show and I would have thought they would get a better roll up for bikes to display. I was wondering if the prevelance of high cost professional chop builds was driving the average punter away. Not showing his workmanship as it has no chance of getting a look in against the big dollar builds.
Anyway if I was (and I am not) running a show My ideas for some categories would be.
best Modified (Bolt-on etc), best custom (Custom build), best rat (Anything goes) and best old school chop (Hand Built).
Peoples choice. Judges choice (Industry People/Sponsors)
Allow no crossovers (ie: enter one section only per bike, except peoples choice etc.). You must ride your bike to the show and it must be registered. No big money prizes for winning bikes, but maybe some lucky number cash prizes for all entrants. No Fee for entry for anyone entering a bike. (1 per bike)
Maybe even have the larger category's have some year brackets post 1990, 1970 - 1989, 1960 - 1979 and pre 1960.
Throw in a tattoo show and a couple of bands and I would be there. I want to attend more bike shows/festivals now that I can get away a bit easier and it would be good to hear from anyone who has a fave show/festival.
Ride Safe Nigel
Don't forget the sexist, out of date, rudimentary, Wet T Shirt Contest....
There always fun....
+1 for the Tshirt comp
At a recent show our local Pharmacist desk jockey got her gorgeous jubblies out.........well apparently they were gorgeous..... I missed em.
Agree with the OP. Bikes need to be rideable, saw one at a show that didnt have the rear brake connected.
Good topic, love going to bike, hotrod, tattoo shows.
Edit: entered my bike in a local show and won 1st prize (only 6 bikes on show and mine the only Harley) certificate and $100 bucks, I only entered to save paying the $15 family entry fee. Felt bad for the old fella with the old BSA beautifully restored and polished, he should have won.
Gentlemen I stand corrected,
+1 on the wet T shirt competition.
Now do we have categories.............
1. Shirt On
2. Shirt Off
Cant remember the last time I saw the winner keep her shirt on, not a complaint mind you, simply an observation.
Dont think it matters Nigel as you say they always come off in the end.
Outlaw, dirt drags are struggling everywhere.
Think insurance is killing a lot of events, along with licensing laws and anti fun legislation.
I dont think bike shows are that healthy or doing that well, particpation in the "show" side seems to be declining, people I talk to seem to be pretty much saying the same thing "The carpark is better than the show".
I recently went to the Maitland Hotrod and Bike show. It was sanctioned (and/or organised) by a 1% club. I went there with the Mrs and a couple of mates from up that way.
It was a well organised and well run show. There was penty of stuff during the day for kids and heaps of bands, tattoo shows and wet T shirt comps for the adults later in the day. Kerry and I had a great time and although we didnt go back to the clubhouse after, a couple of the guys did and reckon it was packed but they had a good time anyway. Security or safety was never an issue and the only ambo I saw came for one of the promo girls who fainted (probably from lack of fluids). Didnt see much hooning after (although there were a few PC Plods around as we left).
My only complaint was the comparatively small showing of bikes (and hotrods) for the entry fee. My worry is that if the numbers of bikes shown keeps dwindling then people will not want to fork out the $ to attend and the whole thing collapses.
I will go back next year and will put the chop in again, just hope that there are double the bikes there as the show deserves it.
I would like to see a show where there are more bikes shown from accross the range of styles (Stock/Custom/Rat/Chopper/Bobber/Old School). There are some great bikes out there that never get shown.
I am hoping to get to more shows in the future but 2 I have booked in for 2013 are:
Maitland Hotrod and Bike Show (As Above) Bombala Bike Show (Camping in the grounds)
?? Any other recommendations ??
Remember it must have a Bar (or allow alchohol), Bikes and Boobs would be nice.
Used to like the trophy for best in the parking lot..
P.S .
That is one happy wet T-Shirted lady with the choice jooblis..
