2011 Hanford Vintage Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 10:45 pm

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to go to the Hanford Vintage Bike Show and Swap Meet and in 2011 I made sure to get out there to see what it was all about. When I was a little kid my dad would go with his friends almost every year and I was never allowed to go. I think it was more of a trip for him to pick through the swap meet to look for rare parts than anything else. No matter... It's a great show where a lot of people come together to celebrate vintage bikes only. No racing, no cars to get in the way - just bikes. I recommend anyone go if they can get away for the day. Just in case you were wondering if it was worth it I decided to finally post my pictures from 2011.

First we unloaded the two bikes that my friend Joe decided to bring out to show.

And push them into the fair grounds before the hoards of people get in. It's great to get there early and hang out with fellow motor heads while it's quiet and calm in the morning.

If you register your bike for the vintage show they take your bikes picture to make it official.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 10:57 pm

I'll just start by posting random pictures of show bikes here. There weren't all that many bikes in each competing class so if you ever want a trophy for your bike that you are proud of this is the event you want to get ready for. You have a great chance at winning a place in your category as long as your machine is original condition and in good shape.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:01 pm

Moto Retro is an AWESOME magazine put together by a former long time editor of Sport Rider Magazine. I'll post more info up on him and his mag later but for now I just need to get these pictures posted. Very well put together magazine. I bought each month that he had produced so far and he gave us a good deal. My friends each bought a set as well.

There was also so very fine metal art work to be seen and possible purchased if you wanted.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:03 pm

I couldn't help but be drawn to the vintage dirty iron. There was some very cool dirt bikes on display and for sale! My dirt bike addiction hadn't kicked in again until the year after this show but you could tell I was already drooling by the pictures I will show here.

How could you NOT take this home! What a great deal!

A super clean from wheel assembly on a Triumph. It just appeared to be a flawless front end that was finished much nicer than when the bike was in the showroom when it was first sold.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:07 pm

Back to the important stuff. And guest starring as a judge for the event is the elusive Bill Silver! He was happy to sign any of his books for the fans.

And moving over to the swap meet section I think this could be his brother or cousin maybe?

A rare Yamaha find priced to sell... or is $20 still too much for this one?

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:09 pm

More show bikes. A nice turnout of vintage dirt bikes actually.

Could you imagine riding that 2x4 of a seat offroad?! I think the fuel tank might hurt worse! Ouch!

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:12 pm

Clean, mean and street legal. It's built to be ridden for sure.

Some other bikes that people rode to the Hanford show on that nice sunny day.

Got a light? Look at those auxiliary lights on that Yamaha. I've never seen so much light added to an already very bright factory headlight combination.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:15 pm

This DynoJet mobile pulled up offering dyno runs for a mere $75. I might have heard one or two choppers make a run but that was it. Nice of them to show up.

Some more metal artwork.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:17 pm

I might as well post some pictures from the swap meet section. You could easily spend half a day wandering through all the piles of parts. This was the highlight of the whole show and meet.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:18 pm

There were some rare machines for sale. You could just spend so much time checking all this stuff out.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:19 pm

Vintage / time period correct tires anyone?

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:21 pm

This sure brought back some memories. >: ) I used to dream of these Honda CR dirt bikes when I was in school.

Not this one though... I was never a fan of the orange and blue colors.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:27 pm

I'm not sure why but there was always a couple people hovering around these old little scooters like they were worth something. I guess people collect this particular brand of scooter because they used to have them as kids? I was told they were worth a good chunk of change for nostalgia reasons.

The owner of these was super proud of his rare supercharged model? I'm not sure about this bike but it's surely something to look at.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:28 pm

More swap meet goodies.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:30 pm

A muffler fabricator was displaying his good at the show. He had some super high quality units to show off. They weren't outrageously priced either. Neat stuff.