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After a two-year hiatus, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is back and in spectacular form. With 250 entrants and nearly 3,200 spectators, collectors, builders and enthusiasts were out in force to see the best that motorcycling has to offer.
As a photographer, I can count on The Quail to deliver some visual treats and this year was no exception. Here are five bikes that I found myself drawn to during a beautiful spring Saturday in the Carmel Valley of California.
1950 Triumph Trophy TR5 square barrel
My first motorcycle was a Triumph Thruxton, so admittedly, I have a soft spot for the British marque. However, this TR5 immediately jumped out at me. With classic proportions, black frame, and silver and chrome paint, visually there is a lot to love about this bike. Looks aside, the square barrel engine was originally used as an electric generator and made the power for British Lancaster bombers. Triumph needed to do something with the extras and decided to put them in a bike. Lightweight and powerful, these engines were a great success on the street and with amateur racers.
1951 Vincent Rapide custom by Max Hazan
Choosing five bikes out of 250 entrants is hard, but this one was easy. Max has created some stunning bikes over the years, and this Vincent is a new high-water mark for the Los Angeles-based builder. When his client dropped off the donor engine, his only guidance was to "do whatever you want." When you give someone of Max's talent free rein, the results can be extraordinary. The man even built his own carburetors! This bike won this year's Best of Show award and places this build among a rarified group of motorcycles considered the best of the best.
1968 BMW R69US in metallic blue
The metallic blue color was a special-order option in 1968 and is extremely rare. It took over five months and five tries to match the color for this restoration. The R69S was BMW's sport bike of its day, and this color lends an eminently classy touch to an already classic machine.
1937 Norton Racing International
As a photographer, I am a sucker for a bike with patina. All the better when that character is the result of a long history as a race bike. Beginning life as one of six bikes built by Norton for the 1937 Manx Grand Prix, it was raced by Bertie WA Rowell and took third place that year. It would race again in 1938, also placing third. Following World War II, it raced the Manx in 1947 and again in 1948. However, it suffered a big crash during the 1948 event. After repairs were completed by the Norton factory, it spent much of the next 30 years disassembled. Now, back in running order, it is an awesome example of a Norton racer.
1950 BSA B34 custom
Owner and builder Richard Mitchell caught the bikebuilding bug after attending the Quail a few years ago. This BSA custom is his second build and is simply gorgeous with outstanding fit and finish. His goal was to create a sleek and modern build that still retained the character of the original bike. Finished in a stunning blue with brass accents, there is just so much to look at on this bike. Check out those solid brass carburetors!
Honorable mention: 1928 children's tricycle
The Quail accepts an incredible variety of machines, but you can count on them all to be unique and of impeccable quality. This children's tricycle fits the bill. Just so random and totally cool.
