Classic Racing in Downtown Laconia, New Hampshire

 

Mechanic Mikey seemed to like it. It wasn't so much a race as a parade, but a quick parade and someone has to be up front. Most guys (and gals) wanted bragging rights to say they won on the 'Streets of Laconia'.

The Norton Inter and Randy Hoffman's BSA

A beautiful Honda four cylinder GP replica

They call it a "Chout" !

The Moto Rumi Junior, a gem from the *Frank and Cathleen Smith collection* This exquistite 125cc two-stroke  makes a sound that will make your hair stand straight up.

Moments before the off. When the flag dropped the Norton would not go into gear despite rocking it back and forth as the front group disappeared around the bend. I jumped off and pushed for a bit and hopped back on , kicked it in gear and was gone before they could black flag me.

A nicely restored TZ750 E Model, for display only at this venue it would be pure suicide.

Some of the mighty Norton's from the Northeast.

Bob Coy and his group of volunteers made this event happen.  All who attended had a great time.

Open pipes wailing, we hauled around as quickly as we could, mindful of curbs, trees, railway tracks, manhole covers and whatever other obstacles you might find in small town America.

 

Local businesses, the hospital, banks, the post office and bars had to agree to let this event happen. These are people who clearly love motorcycles. God knows it wasn't for the money.

Belknap Motorcycle Vintage Grand Prix

I had been racing the race-prepped Honda 350F for a year of so when I was invited to participate in the Belknap Vinatge Grand Prix in June 2000, run by Robert (Bob) S. Coy at the Gunstock Ski Area in Gilford, New Hampshire. It is the site of the original Laconia track and later nearby Loudon motorcycle races. Bob brought together a wonderful mix of ex-champions, like Dick Klamfoth, Ed Fisher and many other racers of the original course.

Mechanics were to wear their 'AMA whites', so my brother Michael donned his gear to keep an eye on the bike.  The bikes were brought to the grid with silent engines before the race day kicked off.

Looking pensive as the reality of this 'parading' was looming. The narrow, crowned , bumpy course consisted of a short straight, a sharp left turn, into the forest, and a run up the hill to a 90 degree left turn and a slight down hill, off camber and into another 90 degree left and then a plunge down the long hill hurtling by the straw bales and trees before reaching a first gear left to cross the finish line. 

Sidecars were on hand as well , the USCRA is a hot bed of sidecar racing in America.

That Bultaco looks like a good choice for the task at hand.

AMA Hall of Fame legend Dick Klamfoth #2, with a friend on a Norton Commando. Mr. Klamfoth, aka "Mr Daytona" won on the famous beach course at Daytona in 1949, 1951 and 1952 also won the Laconia 100 mile race here in 1950 on a Norton.

Harley's and Triumphs. Two of the greats to do battle at this track. It was here that Ed Fisher won the first AMA National roadrace on a Triumph in America in 1953.

There were several sidecar teams that featured dad and son, husband and wife and even father and daughter.

Thru the trees, lined with haybales, there was no run-off room, so a measure of reserve was in order...until the flag drops. Then it's every man for himself.

The event lasted a few more years before the USCRA moved it right into dowtown Laconia. That was quite different with 'racing' going on right down Main St. USA. We'll post that story later.  

Motorcycle Auction Action

Motorcycle Auctions are often charged with energy. The buzz of knowing that somebody is going to walk away with these bikes before the day ends can spur you on to make a buy yourself.  Will it be you, or the bidder sitting next to you who wins?

A 1912 Flanders is about as rare as they come. Probably no more than a half dozen Flanders still exist. This one was in the same family since new, and still had it's WWI black out lights as well as original paint.

Full house awaits the arrival of the auctioneer to get started.

Well, that's a lovely Rudge 350 about to find a new home.

This 1927 Indian Scout was another bike about to be bought and shipped 5000 miles to a new home.

It's a factory built Coach edition Vespa, one of five made for promotional purposes.

British built tank shift AJS 250 with valanced fenders was for the gentleman rider in the interwar years.

Honda tried to crack the USA police market with the 450cc twin cylinder bikes but could not unseat Harley Davidson during the late 1960's. This unit was amazingly original, included a friction drive siren as well.  

A much-modifed Harley-Davidson ST165, or Hummer kitted out for flat track racing.

 These photos were shot at the 2006 Chadds Ford Classic Motorcycle Auction. More info on this annual spring event can be found at http://www.myclassicmotorcycle.com/

Yamaha TZ125 and TZ350 production racers

The Yamaha TZ350 G model and TZ125 G model at rest. The monoshock, watercooled, two-stroke engines quitely wait for their next outing. After riding the TZ350 yesterday for the first time in a year, I am reminded of what true Grand Prix machinery is all about.

Produced in 1980, these two machines were a privateer's dream for affordable two-stroke production racing. All the thrills of real Grand Prix tackle, with parts available at your local Yamaha dealership.

The 350cc twin cylinder looks positively portly compared to the narrow single cylinder 125 machine.

This TZ350 was saved from a salvage yard after being pilfered from the original owner. Given as a gift to me years ago by that individual, the "Junkyard Dog" has made a comeback, being actively campaigined whenever possible. The One-Two-Five, by comparison, is in virtual time warp condition, last used in 1981 after winning an East Coast lightweight championship by it's original owner then being stored since that time.

White with a red stripe, the international color scheme for Yamaha two-strokes of the era. 

The TZ125 makes 30 hp at 12,000 rpm and has a dry weight of just 72  kg. The top speed is nearly 125 mph. The dry clutch is just one of the many weight saving features Yamaha incorporated on the 50cc to the 750cc two-strokes.

The TZ350G offers 72 hp, weighs just 109 kg and  redlines at 11,000 rpm. With 'Daytona gearing' it can exceed 150 mph top speed.

The TZ 500 may be the rarest, the TZ750cc  the fastest, the TZ 250's the most common, but for pure thrills, a good 350cc TZ is hard to fault for overall balance.

Big disc brakes front and rear provide plenty of stopping power for the littles TZ's.

Below are the official factory photos from Yamaha.