PERFECT weather, cold beer, some very cool music and a truly wonderful assortment of new and old bikes greeted the 1800-odd folks who rolled up to the second Ride On Rooftop Retro Bike Show on top of the old Myers building in Fremantle.
The bikes — about 70 in the formal display area but plenty of tasty stuff just around the corner — were a mix of modern-and-custom, new-and-retro, old-and-pristine, and old-and-funky.
Among the exhibitors was Michael Finn with his 1968 A65 BSA 650 Scrambler (above), lovingly restored after languishing in a shed for many years. The old Beezer was involved in a fatal accident back in the day, and effectively abandoned.
Michael convinced the family to sell him the bike and let him bring it back to its former glory. The restoration was complete just a few days before the Retro show and looked a million dollars, right down to the red velour seat, British Racing Green paint job and brand new (ex-New Zealand) Amal carbs.
Michael praised Stephen Hills at Classic Motorcycle Restoration WA, David at Modak Motorcycles in Melbourne, and Pablo at Ironhorse Restorations in Perth for their role in the restoration.
CAPTION: Ancient Trumpy was one of the stars of the show. Just beautiful.CAPTION: New Royal Enfields have enough retro cred to mix it with old metal.CAPTION: Why is it that old Ducatis catch the fading light just so? Clear coat looks almost liquid.CAPTION: Long-legged Italian drew many admiring stares.CAPTION: Pristine Z1 obviously still getting regular use. Hyosung alongside must have felt like it was sitting with royalty.CAPTION: Nortons were well represented on the roof. This 850 Commando was a beauty.
CAPTION: Table with a view. A pretty pleasant spot to while away an hour and a can or two, eh?CAPTION: Brit/Jap exotica. Rickman-framed Kawasaki was the duck’s nuts a decade or four ago. This example looked good as new.CAPTION: Never know whether you’re coming or going? Heavily-laden Vespa was well equipped in the lighting and rear-vision departments.CAPTION: Long-distance shootout. Norton and Ducati agreed on colour scheme and number of cylinders, but differed on most else.CAPTION: “Well, if we sold the apartment in Sydney, and we left your Audi out in the rain …” Unrestored low-mileage 900SS in search for a new home and a $36,000 cheque.
CAPTION: Note to bike show organisers — from now on, you’ve got to have at least one girl on a harp.CAPTION: Can an old motorbike be cooler than a pretty young girl on harp? Maybe. Beautiful old Indian.CAPTION: Benelli was the first bike manufacturer to give the world six plugs to change. No prize for guessing the engine was based on Honda’s four-cylinder design. Supposedly good for 200kmh, which wasn’t a bad effort for 1972 …CAPTION: Funky modern custom contrasts nicely against old-world charm in the background.CAPTION: Commando boasted glorious paint job and detailing, and ugliest seat in the show.CAPTION: Three wise men ponder old Beemer while young lady ponders what they could possibly find so interesting.CAPTION: Did someone say eclectic? No, not electric you dummy, eclectic …CAPTION: Custom head-hunter from SSS Kustoms.CAPTION: Yamaha-engined custom had definite Ducati NCR lines.CAPTION: Yep, Yamaha is still selling little SRs. Still very cool, too.CAPTION: You’re jokering, right?CAPTION: Laverda designers knew how to create form from function. A lovely bike.CAPTION: Old-school tyre tread; very hip.CAPTION: That Indian again. Everyone went back for a second look. Twice.
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