Motorcycle Misadventures

Japan's Bikes: Trusty Then, Coveted Now

Among collectors of motorcycles, the pursuit of a specific model - even a Japanese bike of fairly recent vintage - can challenge the limits of one's devotion to an already passionate hobby.

For Mickey Cohen of Kingston, Pa., the test took the form of a search for a Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy, a single-cylinder road bike with classic British lines largely ignored by American riders when it was introduced in 1989. After finally locating one at a fair price, Mr. Cohen, who has collected vintage Hondas for 10 years, called the bike's owner in New Jersey to arrange an inspection.

Read the entire New York Times article Japan's Bikes: Trusty Then, Coveted Now by Lindsay Brooke.

Steam Flyer Motorcycle at San Francisco's Musee Mecanique

The San Francisco Musee Mechanique has temporarily moved from its Ocean Beach location at the Cliff House (which is being renovated) to a stunning location on Pier 45, in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf with stellar views of the bay. This place is a fascinating tour of fun for the mechanically minded, and among their collection is a fire-engine red steam-powered motorcycle, restored to perfect running condition.

I talked about the motorcycle with Daniel Galland Zelinsky, a fifth generation San Franciscan and a second generation collector who oversees the exhibit and is the primary force in its expansion. Between dispensing quarters to the group of travel writers who was visiting (I was with the Bay Area Travel Writers group), he explained that it had been exhibited once since its restoration, but there were no plans for future demonstrations. "Though all it takes to start it is a match," he said.

Who made it, and why? I asked. Built in 1912 by a Mr. Gilligan in Sacramento seems to be all that is known about it. I'm begging for history, as well as a ride. Zelinsky, who had just taken his 16 year old son for his first motorcycle ride the day before (he owns a vintage BSA), was interested in talking motorcycles but wasn't interested in taking the Steam Flyer out of the glass case for a demo. "Well count on me to whine until I get a ride," I told him. Hopefully an antique motorcycle show will come up that he just can't resist.

The acquisition of the Steam Flyer was a lucky deal for the senior Zelinsky, Ed, a long-time San Franciscan and the owner off the museum. An inveterate collector since childhood, he acquired many of the machines from George Whitney Sr., owner of Playland-At-The-Beach, San Francisco's landmark amusement park, which closed in 1972.

Ed and George Whitney used to have lunch together every third Thursday of the month, and although Ed seldom sells any of his collection, he loves to trade. Back then, he did a lot of trading with George Whitney. "We traded music boxes and pianos back and forth," Ed recalls, "but I'll never forget the day I traded for the steam motorcycle. I remember he had a scotch over ice, shrimp cocktail, and a minute steak. I tried to copy him, but I couldn't keep up with him on the drinks."

"Well, I had quite a few drinks, and I was feeling no pain, and george said, 'Ed, you have a 1904 Franklin. Do you want to trade it?'

"And I said, 'George, what will you give me for it?' Well, I don't really remember the conversation, but I do remember shaking hands with him, and Mr. Whitney telling me, 'Ed, you are the proud owner of a steam motorcycle.'"

Later, the two men had diner again, and Whitney asked Ed who got the best deal in teh trade. "I don't know, George, you tell me," Ed recalls.

Then Whitney said, "Ed, I got the best deal. I got a Franklin that's running and you got a motorcycle that isn't."

Ed told him, "That's funny, George. I thought I got the best of the deal because I got the only steam motorcycle, perhaps, in the whole world."

Whitney then called Ed a few weeks later and asked if he wanted to trade back again. "That when I knew I had a good deal," Ed says.

Time has proved Zelinsky right. Recently, the peripatetic collector received an unsolicited offer of $250,000 for the motorcycle. "Now I know I really got the best deal!" he says.

Where Neon Meets the Road

Here's the New York Times Driving editor Ann Ferrar's commentary on motorcycle fashion, bright colors, and safety:

YOU can't miss the blur of colors streaking toward you. The motorcycle -- a 2000 Honda CBR600F4 sport bike -- screams bright yellow. The rider pops out of the landscape in brilliant red -- a ketchup-colored space-age-nylon riding suit with reflective panels. Light glints off her silver helmet.

She's Patricia Friedrichs, a 54-year-old member of the Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club in San Francisco, and her other motorcycle is neon green.

Read the rest of Where Neon Meets The Road.

Ride to the Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, California

If you want to see a Tibetan Buddhist procession and participate in an authentic celebration like the one described in my China Road Dispatch you might consider attending the Second Annual Medicine Buddha Festival at Land of Medicine Buddha on Saturday, June 19, 12:00 pm.

Actually, it's Tibetan-California fusion. Tibetan Horns, drums and cymbals will anounce the colorful Medicine Buddha Procession and inaugurate the Festival Day. Everyone is invited to attend and join in bell ringing and chanting as the Medicine Buddha thangka makes its way to the meadow, where Ven. Geshe Ngawang Dakpa will lead a Medicine Buddha Puja. Other festival activities: the Unity Choir, teachings and offerings, children's activities, Tara School Children's Choir, Samshug Pundha (traditional Tibetan performers), massage, reiki, energy work, Himalayan crafts bazaar, and California and traditional Tibetan cuisine.

This place is lovely, hidden away in the redwoods of Soquel just South of Santa Cruz, California. You can motorcycle down Highway 1, or through the Santa Cruz mountains, through some very pretty countryside. On the property are traditional prayer wheels and stupas, and there is a trail that connects to Nicene Marks Forest. I believe it's a 3 or 4 hour round-trip hike. I've only had a chance to hike 1/2 hour in. (Lots of banana slugs!)

A retreat center, you might stay there for the night, if they're not full. There are also plenty of accomodations in Soquel and Santa Cruz and the weather is lovely, though summer fog does tend to hug the beach all morning long.

For more information call 831-462-8383 or lmb@medicinebuddha.org
Fee: Free

Beijing Chang Jiang Club May Day Ride Report

Jim Bryant in Beijing reports on the Chang Jiang Motorcycle Club's annual May Day ride from Beijing to the Yungang Caves, the grottoes that hold 50,000 Buddha figures, where I spent my 40th birthday in 1998. (See Yungang dispatch.) Jim opened a Subway sandwich franchise in Beijing way back, and loaned me his CJ for my ride through China. I crossed some of the terrain they crossed on their May Day ride, and had a lot of excitement: One member had to turn back because of a mechanical problem, and there was a scary encounter with a mob and drunken police in a small town on the way, not unlike an experience I had in Western China. (See the Village from Hell dispatch.) I guess there still aren't a lot of foreigners making their way out of Beijing and into the countryside. Imagine having never seen a foreigner in your life, except on TV. Also, there was the constant stress that the electrical systems might fail, and never knowing when the next restaurant or hotel would come along. What makes it all worthwhile? Adventure, of course. Culture, art, the road never traveled. And hang-gliding! Jim points out that some of the terrain looks much like the Badlands of South Dakota, and has noted roads to explore next time. I've uploaded his photos to my photo album. Here's the report:

The American Motorcycle Museum in The Netherlands

The American Motorcycle Museum opened on April 30 with over 140 motorcycles in the collection. Most of the bikes are Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles but the collection also includes Ace, Mabeco, Excelsior, Henderson, Reading Standard, Thor, Rikuo, and Super X. After proprietor Max Middelbosch and his wife Ans bought their first Harley-Davidson, an Electra, Max became an antiques dealer and traveled a lot, which resulted in a fast grow of the collection. Soon visitors from all over the world were coming to take a look and the home-basement grew too small. In 1988 they decided to restore the 1434 farmhouse next to their company ‘De Drakentoren’ in Zwolle, to house the collection. Visit their website for more information, photos, and directions by train and road to the museum.

American Motorcycle Museum
Zwolsestraat 63C
8101 AB Raalte
Phone: 0031-572364187
Fax: 0031-572364373
E-mail : info@ammh.nl

Open daily from 11 :00 – 17 :00

Entrance:
Adults 4,50 Euro
Kids 2,25 Euro
Special prices for packages and groups