By Cynthia Hooper
For the Salisbury Post
SPENCER — Riders from as far as Atlanta cruised to enjoy the Carolina Classic Motorcycle show Saturday.
Vintage motorcycles were on display at the fifth annual event that helps raise funds for the North Carolina Transportation Museum. The event was sponsored by the Triad Classic Motorcycle Club and drew bike enthusiast of all ages.
“There are a lot of different bikes. Most shows don’t have this variety,” Garth Birdsey said. “A Honda 250 Chopper, how often do you see that?”
Birdsey and his wife, Belinda, rode their bike from their home in Salisbury.
Robert Bailey, 72, has been to the Carolina Classic show before and enjoys seeing the bikes from different countries. Bailey has been riding motorcycles for 55 years. He owns a Honda, a Kawasaki and three Harleys. His favorite is his Kawasaki.
“As long as I can swing a leg over it I will ride,” Bailey said.
There were nearly as many motorcycles to look at in the parking lot as there were in the show itself. Some bikes were original while others had been restored to their original look.
Some looked the same as they did when they came out of the factory while others were customized to the hilt.
There were three generations of Leinbach men at the event: Evans Leinbach Sr., his son Evans Jr., and grandson Evans III all came to show off the youngest Leinbach’s bike. They brought their lawn chairs and relaxed in the sun while people milled about.
Dallas Ranson was lucky to have this Saturday off so he could enjoy the show with his son, Michael. Michael, a freshman at North Rowan High School, dreams of being a motorcycle mechanic someday.
“I have had a motorcycle since I was 18. I’ve got the fever and I can’t do without one,” Ranson said.
Ranson rides a Kawasaki Nomad and a Yamaha Road Star.
Riding bikes definitely runs in the family when it comes to the Correll family.
Charles Correll and his wife, Wanda, came from Concord with their four grandchildren who all ride motorcycles. In addition to looking at the many different motorcycles on display, the Corrells were promoting www.v-twinrumble.com, a social network for bikers that also offers online auctions similar to ebay.
Five members of the Harley Owners Group made the trip to Spencer, riding the back roads all the way from Raleigh. The group stopped by Boone’s Cave on the way and made sure to enjoy some Carolina BBQ while they were here.
Winners were awarded trophies unlike any that most people had ever seen. On display during the show were the custom made trophies that the folks from the Triad Classic Motorcycle Club had built out of vintage motorcycle parts and pieces.
The bikes were judged by anyone who wished to participate and donations were gladly accepted for the honor.
The event is generally held on the first Saturday in May. Organizers hope to draw more bikes. People with motorcycles more than 20 years old, and those with newer bikes in a few categories, can show their bikes next year.
This year’s categories and winners include:
• Retro: Larry Wilson, 2009 Bonneville.
• Custom: Bobby Eller, 1966 Triumph “Devil Woman.”
• Competition: Larry Wilson, 1971 BSA 500.
• European: Tom Konsler, 1975 Hercules W2000.
• British: Dave Mims, 1954 Triumph T110.
• American: Dave Mims, 1929 Indian Scout.
• Japanese 499cc and under: Wayne Sykes, 1975 Honda CB400F.
• Japanese 500cc and above: Randall Washington, 1975 Honda GC1000.
• Rat bike: Jim Bedillion, 1971 HD SS350.
• Best of show: Jim Bright, 1965 Honda CB 450KO.