BARN FINDS - the 2016 Packard Museum Motorcycle Show

As is the annual winter custom in my world, a visit to the Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio was a given to check out the annual motorcycle display that runs through June each year. This year, my whiskey sister, Teresa Ross, was in town and graciously accepted the invite to accompany me, Fortunately, she is also a bit of a motor head, which would explain why we bonded immediately. She recently sold her classic Mustang to her nephew and my friend, Mike Lazusky, but not before I had to chance to ride in it... ah, but I digress.

(***REMEMBER: click on any picture to see it full size! Enjoy!)

This year's exhibit was titled "What's in Your Barn" and displayed thirty motorcycles that enthusiasts call "barn finds". For the uneducated, these are bikes that have been sitting in a shed. barn or out building gathering dust. They ranged in years from 1939 to 1983. 

As we walked into the museum, there right inside the front door, was the "holy grail" of antique motorcycles, a Vincent Black Prince. Although this beauty's "barn" background is more prized that the other show participants, it was still one to be admired. It had been stored in the barn of the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum and brought out for the show. I have photos of one of these from twenty five years ago and they are very rare. This motorcycle had 1000cc overhead valve engine, adjustable position rider and passenger pegs and many other features other motorcycle of their era didn't have. Only about 200 were produced.

What is so exciting about the Packard's shows are the mix of manufacturers and countries represented. Additionally, the museum shares a true love of all motorcycles and the joy that ownership brings. Although I have always personally owned Harley Davidson motorcycles, I truly appreciate the diversity represented in their shows and the love that is put into the motorcycles on display.

What motorcycle enthusiast wouldn't appreciate this beautiful Norton Commando or the 1955 Horex Imperator?  Huh, I had never heard of a Horex! The Norton was located in a barn and had not been ridden since 1983. Some fresh tires and a deep cleaning and she was road worthy! The Horex is another loan from the Crawford, with an overhead cam vertical twin motor. Apparently this is a very rare motorcycle, which would explain, the "huh"...

I love the before and after photos of these barn finds too. Check out the condition of this 1968 Triumph to the left and how she looks restored. You can't help but appreciate the love and devotion that goes into this type of restoration!

Now I will say that if you go to the Packard Museum expecting to see only American iron in these shows, you will be highly disappointed. But that is the great thing about their display! It is such a wide and diverse exposure to the motorcycle industry around the
world that draws me to their displays and shows every year.

Below is a 1954 BSA M-33. BSA was also known as Birmingham Small Arms, Ltd. of Birmingham, England. This particular model was used mostly with side hacks. The lucky owner found this one on E-Bay!

The bike to the right is a 1939 Terrot BMA 100CC bike manufactured by Terrot & Company of Dijon, France. I have never seen one of these before. The owner bought this pretty girl from an antique motorcycle dealer in Belgium who found her in a barn in Jura, France. He has not done any work to her since he bought her... this is how he found her. Apparently Terrot manufactured bikes from the early 1900's through the 1960's. 

As long as we are representing our manufacturers from across the pond, check out this 1956 Zid K55 125CC  made in Kovrov, Russia! The current owner purchased this bike in 2008 from a dealer and performed a frame up restoration in 2013. Coincidentally, the owner of this Zid and the Terrot is the same collector.

Below are several more photos from the show. BTW, Jay Leno did a show at the Packard Music Hall while this show was in progress and made a stop here to check out these fine machines. So our little motorcycle show here in Warren, Ohio is actually worth some name worthy attention.

Keep on loving the old bikes and support our local museum please!