By Roger Houghton

There was strong support from visitors to the Classic Motorcycle Club’s annual 1000 Bike Show, which was held at the Germiston Sports Club on July 6-7. About 7 500 visitors attended this year’s show, which was slightly down on last year, according to CMC’s organiser, Rusty Thorns. He added that the date clash with a classic car show at the Expo Centre had affected attendance.

Unfortunately, there was no support for the show from the major motorcycle distributors this year and the number of classic and customised motorcycles on display were less than previous years. However, there were many stalls selling motorcycle-related gear and components such as exhaust systems and the like.

It is difficult to understand why the major brands failed to take up the opportunity of having a presence at a well-supported and well-organised event such as the 1000 Bike Show, which has been staged since 1985. The opportunity came at a time when sales of two-wheelers in South Africa are very depressed and one would have thought distributors or dealers would have had a strong presence.

There was not even a dedicated Triumph stand this year, whereas in the past it had been one of the biggest displays at this event, with classic and new models on show.

The number of motorcycle on show may have been disappointing but there was plenty of quality on display. There were also a number of unusual exhibits including a rare Italian Volugrafo Bimbo minicar, a trike powered by a turbocharged BMW V8 engine and a Moto Guzzi load carrier.

Gary van Jaarsveld’s immaculate Kawasaki Z900 was adjudged Best on Show, while the women judges favoured William Viljoen’s 1960 BSA Gold Star.

RESULTS

Concours d’Elegance award winners:

Best on Show: Gary van Jaarsveld (Kawasaki Z900 A4); Off-road, Best VMX Race Bike: Gareth Ireland (1986 Honda CR500); Off-road, Best VMX Show Bike: Alan Young (1982 Husqvarna); Best American: Ken Wardhaugh (Harley-Davidson 5/7); Best British Post-War: William Viljoen (1960 BSA Gold Star); Best British Pre-War: Roland Wancekivell (Velocette MSS 500); Best Japanese over 250cc: Andre Potgieter (1970 Honda 750 KO); Best Japanese under 250cc: Bikecraft (1970 Suzuki B120); Best European: Leon Bezuidenhout (Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk 1); Ladies’ Choice: William Viljoen (1960 BSA Gold Star).

Best by Make: Triumph: Kyle Harvey (1966 Thunderbird); Harley-Davidson: Ken Wardhaugh (5/7); BMW/Zundapp/Puch: Gary Lance (1951 BMW R67); BSA: William Viljoen (1960 Gold Star DBD 34); Yamaha: Ernie Barendse (F3 50cc); Historic Motor Group: Fred Tofts (Norvil Norton Commando); Kawasaki: Gary van Jaarsveld (Z900 A4); Velocette: Henry Nickeous (Viper); Royal Enfield: Harry Tiedemann (1927 350 Super Sport); Associated Motorcycles: Robert Patterson-Emms (Matchless Clubman); Honda: Tim Hammer (1978 CB550K); Norton: John Wakeling (1954 ES2); DJ Run bike: Martin Kaiser (1934 Sunbeam Model 9); 50cc: Jacques Snyman (Suzuki Katana); Italian: Leon Badenhorst (Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk 1); Suzuki: Willie Struckmeyer (1972 GT 550); Best Classic Off-road: Andre Potgieter (1983 Honda XR500 RS);