Car and Motorcycle Show

[DIGGER]

Don't think I have read on any posts about VRCC members entering their motorcycles in any local car shows   Mine will be a classic (25 years old) I think in 2026 and still looks pretty darn good.   Is there a distinction between Classic Motorcycle and Antique Motorcycle?   

Im thinking next year about maybe entering my 2001 Valkyrie in some of the local parking lot shows where you vote on entries and there is a trophy to the winner of each class.   Has anyone tried it?   

[Jack B]

It’s hard to beat a Harley Davidson in a local show they are going to vote for a Harley over a Honda just because it’s a Harley.
I put my 1971 Honda SL125 in a few shows it’s original and almost mint condition,  They either put me in a class against restored bikes, which I can’t win or against a general class with Harley’s and a H.D.will always win in Wisconsin. Oops side cover not on.

[Jess from VA]

Decades ago, I won a 2d place in some show for my rare 1 of 1000 Harley FXRD dresser* (San Bernardino CA) which was a big glass mug with tiny brass plaque that sits in my china cabinet (with all the other stuff I never ever use).

There may be some around here, but I haven't been to a bike show in many years.

Once I moved up (and grew up) and had 2 '99 Black Interstates, I sold this off (after 18 years and close to 90K miles, with an engine refresh) to a local collector as surplus to my needs.     The FXR was one of Harely's best ever riding and handling bikes, but it paled in comparison to the big flat 6, shaft driven, water cooled monster by Honda.

*
 

[cookiedough]

always thought about cleaning up the Valks and entering both in the local 1100 population town cycle and car show they have yearly in May downtown.  NOT many entries of cycles am sure guess 10 tops so have a shot over a 30K HD, right, even though southern WI is HD country?   Biggest issue is cleaning them up to the degree of near spotless would take awhile...

[HayHauler]

In Texas, the only difference between Classic and Antique (both 25 year old) is the amount of miles driven per year.  I have Classic plates on my 1999, but now that I think of it, I should have opted for the Antique plates.  I think they enter the odometer in their computer, but I don't know if too many miles disqualifies you from Antique plates.
I will try it when they come up for renewal at the end of 2025.  I have 587 miles on her now...  That is surely going to confuse them. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Oss]

Wish I have pics but Normand from Quebec  (quexpress) WON best in show for AMERICADE
and the following year won for best Valkyrie

It was not close really

It was almost a harley burnt orange color with stainless brake lines and modified side covers, seat etc

since our rally and americade are the same week usually I have gone to americade years I do not make it to inzane

[DIGGER]

Wish I have pics but Normand from Quebec  (quexpress) WON best in show for AMERICADE
and the following year won for best Valkyrie

It was not close really

It was almost a harley burnt orange color with stainless brake lines and modified side covers, seat etc

since our rally and americade are the same week usually I have gone to americade years I do not make it to inzane

Cooool!   Think I will enter in a local big show next year

[LTD]

That FXRD dresser was pretty cool and I wanted one badly at the time. Never got it but once I got a Valkyrie all those past bikes I had dont miss them at all.

[Jess from VA]

That FXRD dresser was pretty cool and I wanted one badly at the time. Never got it but once I got a Valkyrie all those past bikes I had don't miss them at all.

It was as good as Harley made in those 80-inch EVO days.  A much better handling/riding bike than all their FLH (Electra Glide) dressers.  And it was Harley's only attempt at their version of a 'sport tourer.'  It was pretty tall and would really lean over without dragging things.

Couple drawbacks were the frame mounted single light fairing, so the light was always a little behind you in turns.  Things would fall out of the clam-shell bags when opened, so you really needed soft zipper bags for stuff carried inside them.  The fiberglass lowers beneath the faring all cracked at the lower single bolt mounts from all the shaky hog vibration, and I crudely laid fiberglass and resin on the inside of them several times so they could be bolted back down.  Most owners just took them off.  And the tour trunk opened backwards from normal.  The passenger seat was very comfy but really tall, so they all ate bugs, and that extra weight up high could be a challenge for the driver in slow maneuvers and turns, and small/medium backseaters couldn't reach the passenger pegs/boards.  (Though I never once chose a bike based on passenger concerns.)

Harley also made a version of this bike for police sales called the FXRP (police) which I really liked and would have got one instead of mine, if I could have found one for sale.  Without the red and blue blinky things.  Note the problem lowers were just deleted on this model.

[Rams]

It’s hard to beat a Harley Davidson in a local show they are going to vote for a Harley over a Honda just because it’s a Harley.

I tried entering into a Bike Show one time (Sponsored by an HD dealership) on my first Valkyrie.   Spent a complete day cleaning and polishing to get her ready.   Paid my entry fee and parked where I was told to.

Didn't win squat.   Didn't really expect to but, the interesting thing is, my bike got more pictures taken and lookers than other bikes in the show.   I paid particular attention to the folks gathering around my Valk verses other bikes.   Lots of nice complimentary comments but, there was no way my Valkyrie was gonna get many votes.   Decided then and there I'd never try that again.

Oh, I did hear a few remarks about "Jap Rice Burners" but, I made sure to show anyone interested the Made in USA.  

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, the greatest number of complimentary comments came from the ladies who rode backseat with the husbands/boyfriends/partners.  
Rams

[TJ]

This win more Bike Show then I can count...

[Jess from VA]

Speaking of bike shows, who wants to come over and polish my wheels?

I keep my bikes all shined up and waxed and everything polished (except the wheels).

I've had them near chrome like in the past, but that work is hard on me (and boring and tedious) and I've decided battleship grey is a nice color too.  

It's worth any amount of beer you would require, and cash money too.  

[Rams]

Speaking of bike shows, who wants to come over and polish my wheels?

I keep my bikes all shined up and waxed and everything polished (except the wheels).

I've had them near chrome like in the past, but that work is hard on me (and boring and tedious) and I've decided battleship grey is a nice color too.  

It's worth any amount of beer you would require, and cash money too.  

Jess,
I assume you do know that there are people and places that shine and polish Semi truck aluminum wheels, there may be one somewhere in your area.   A quick internet search might prove to be what you're looking for.

But, I'll be watching this to see who might take you up on your offer............ 

Rams

[Jess from VA]

I'm aware of that Ron, but I don't want to take them off either. 

I've also thought about having my superior bike shop do it for me (or farm it out) at tire changes (which is optimal), but you never need both at the same time. 

The front really isn't that hard to do, but the rear is a PITA, even up on lift with the bags off.

[flsix]

TJ when did you let that bike go? What a great looking ride.