The Antique Motorcycle Club of America held its second annual Grand National Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in historic Rhinebeck, NY this June.
Over 1,000 rare motorcycles from 1898 through 1973 were on display including a timeline with a bike from every year represented. From vintage Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles to Flying Mercels and Brough Superiors were lined up in a timeline representing the best in vintage bikes. Douglas’s, Thor’s and Excelsior-Henderson’s to name were represented, but were displayed few in various conditions from full restorations to barn condition bikes.
If you were looking for a part for your Vincent Black Shadow restoration, odds are that you could find it, as vintage part vendors lined the isles alongside folks cleaning out their garages at decent prices.
Cycle Source Magazine hosted a period modified bike show that drew a crowd. The winners of first and second places were a husband and wife team with his 1947 Knucklehead bobber and her 1953 Panhead bobber and third place went to a 15-year old for his bobbed flathead that we watched him ride around the fair grounds all weekend. Guess the judges were in a family mood and were partial to bobbers.
The crowd was treated to the daredevil riders of the Globe of Death and music filled the air. Despite the short shower mid-day on Saturday, spirits were not dampened and the people in attendance got to see a rare display of vintage motorcycles they won’t soon forget.
The Rhinebeck Grand National Show and Swap will be an annual event at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds for years to come. Just 1.5 hours North of New York City through some of the prettiest country roads in New York State, this is an event we’ll hopefully attend for years to come.
–TB
