Legend Of The Motorcycle
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“Legend of the Motorcycle: International Concours d’Elegance”, is held Annually on a 44-mile (72 km) scenic loop that began at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and follows the coast down , along and back up the mountain ridge top that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, in Half Moon Bay, California. It is the only world-class concours d’elegance exclusively for motorcycles.[1] A landmark event, the concours d’elegance exhibits up to 200 motorcycles that cover almost a century of motorcycle history. It was established to create a forum for motorcycling on a level that has only been previously associated with fine automobiles..[2]
The concours will showcase up to 200 classic motorcycles each year, including three featured brands — Vincent, Henderson and Excelsior. Historic motorcycles are also on display, such as Rollie Free’s Vincent HRD Black Lightning, which he rode across Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats at over 150 miles per hour to break a decade-old speed record in September 1948.[3]
A few motorcycles whose significance is rooted in the present and, in the distant future, may turn up in the vintage section and motorcycle museums are also showcased at theconcours every year , such as motorcycles built by legendary motorcycle builders that include: Japanese minimalist master Shinya Kimura, and Indian Larry. This year West Coast Choppers founder Jesse James, will be showing his "Radial Hell aero bike"[4] which is powered by a 7-cylinder Rotec radial aircraft engine. West Coast Choppers will be unveiling the Airstream Bike which was made for over $300,000.00 for Airstream CEO, Bob Wheeler.[5] Legend have announced that Ian Barry at Falcon Motorcycles will be unveiling his most recent motorcycle "The Bullet Falcon" at this years Legend Of The Motorcycle - International Concours d'Elegance, on May 3 2008.[6] The Board Track racer inspired "Bullet Falcon Motorcycle", started life as a pre-unit post-war Triumph Thunderbird, and took over 800 hours to fabricate. It was custom created by commission, from the Skateboarder and Actor Jason Lee.[7]
The one day event is run by a selection committee made up of vintage motorcycle experts, that scours the World for only the best in unique, rare, or accurately restored running specimens. Over 10,000 entries are submitted for consideration in the concours per year,[8] and finalists are finalized by the prior autumn. There are on average 6000 in attendance, including motorcycle luminaries such as Peter Fonda, son of Steve McQueen Chad McQueen, Ewan McGregor and the famed stuntman and racer Bud Ekins.[9]
Auction house Bonhams & Butterfields also holds an annual sale of motorcycles in conjunction with the concours.
