Owls Head 2002

On September 1, 2002 the Antique Motorcycle Festival was held at the Owls Head Transportation Museum in (where else?) Owls Head, Maine. More than 200 classic pre-1980 and antique cycles and 1,000 modern bikes were there. 

The great weather assured another super turnout at the annual festival. The classic bikes were on the flight-line area for display and the newer machines are grouped together just outside the main entrance. This is truly a come-one-come-all event. I decided to truck my '73 CL350 and '70 SL350 Hondas to this event, as it's a good 120 miles from my place. In addition, we had one of those foggy misty mornings which had visibility down to nil in some spots on the way over. Fortunately, by the time I arrived the sun had done a good job of burning off all that low-lying moisture.

I made up a signboard for each of my bikes, describing the various highlights involved in both of the restorations. I also made a point to prominently display the VJMC web address. I was approached by a couple individuals who were wondering if this was also a VJMC event. I think it ought to be! There was every manner of VJ iron there, from a Water Buffalo to a CBX. No Kawasaki street triples, though. Darn!

As I said, this event is open to all makes, and one of my all-time favorite classic bikes was being shown again this year - a 1949 Vincent Rapide! The owner rides it on a regular basis. This is a very nice machine with some clever updates that do not detract at all from its true heritage.

I was a bit surprised because I did not see any other Honda 350 twins there, though. There were several nice 450 "Bombers" and a 350 Four being displayed - most of them having been ridden to the event. Early in the afternoon I finally spied a K2 SL350 near the back of the flight line - a late arrival, no doubt. I tracked down the owner and we talked SL350 at length. Come to find out he only lives a few towns over from me.

 
My 1973 CL350 and 1970 SL350

The museum was also flying some of their vintage aircraft and running other events throughout the day. You could literally spend hours just strolling up and down the rows of bikes and engaging bike lovers in endless conversation about that common passion. As the afternoon grew late it was time to pack up the two twins and head south, but as always, it was a great time!