1959 Grand Isle New York Antique Motorcycle Club Meet - 1-Page Vintage Article

Description

1959  Grand Isle New York Antique Motorcycle Club Meet - 1-Page Vintage Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
Antique Motorcycle Club
Of America Grand Isle Meet
by Louis Lichva
From the soft purring of a Pierce Four
to the lusty bellow of a Pope ohv twin,
many of the authentic sounds of yesterday's
motorcycling were recreated at the Antique
Motorcycle Club Meet at Grand Isle, New
York, August 8th.
Scene of the gathering was the beautiful
home and estate of Mr. and Mrs. Michel
Steffen who, as hosts, served a delicious
luncheon to the enthusiasts who came to
the event.
Among the various makes of motorcycles
represented at the meet were such almost-
forgotten names as Pierce Four, Pierce
Single, Riley, Pope, Racycle, Henderson,
Minneapolis, Curtiss and others.
Old models of active manufacturers were
represented by BSA and Harley-Davidson
machines shown by their proud owners.
With a good stretch of private road
handy, the owners were able to show off
the paces of their old mounts and any old
time motorcyclist would have been delight-
ed to hear the once familiar but long for-
gotten sounds produced by these two
wheelers of another age.
Trophies were awarded as follows:
BEST RESTORED: The best restored
trophy was awarded to Jim Lucas, Elyria,
Ohio for his sparkling 1912 Harley single.
OLDEST MOTORCYCLE AT MEET:
Awarded to Charles Emmaus and son,
Peter, Streetsville, Ontario, Canada for
their very interesting and fine running
1905 Riley.
BEST RUNNER: Awarded hands down
to J. H. Kellog Clarke, Derby, New York
for his 1909 Pierce single “sewing ma-
chine.”
MOTORCYCLE BROUGHT LONG-
EST DISTANCE: Awarded to Emmett
Moore and son, Michael, for their 1918
Pope Twin.
Judges of the awards were hard pressed
to decide among the many well-restored
old timers. Included among the finalists
were the 1914 BSA owned and restored
by T. A. Hodgdon and son, Ted, Jr., (Mr.
Hodgdon is president of BSA Incorporated,
Nutley, New Jersey). The very fine Pierce
Four owned and restored by Michel Stef-
fen and the good running Harley 2-speed
twin owned by Hal Bruce, Jr.
Perhaps not generally known by modern
motorcyclists are some of the many very
clever design features to be seen on motor-
cycles manufactured 30--10 or even 50 years
ago. Some mechanical features that took
the eye of this reporter al Grand Isle:
On the Emman's Riley — the Slurmey
Archer 3-speed rear hub — very similar in
appearance and operation to the present
day bicycle gear but larger and heavier in
construction.
The Pierce single owned by Mr. Kellogg
and the Steffens’ Pierce Four both feature
the unique large-diameter tubing frame
which also served as gas tank and oil tank.
Pierce design appeared to be very good
and the machines run well. Shaft drive on
the Pierce Four.
The Hodgdons' 1914 BSA with its front
and rear wheel brakes, 3-speed gearbox,
footboards, and other features advanced
for the time.
The 61" Pope twin owned by Emmett
Moore (with a BSA Gold Star “cheater”
sprocket!) featuring spring frame and a
shaft-and-bevcl driven magneto.
Those big. wonderfully made gas head-
lights seen on many of the machines and
the small fragile looking brakes! Slopping
power was not so important in the old
days.
The Antique Motorcycle Club of
America issues a regular Bulletin for mem-
bers which includes a “wanted” and “for
sale” section.
Interested persons should contact the
secretary for membership information:
Louis Lichva, secretary, 1711 Helderburg
Ave., Schenectady, N. Y.
Jim Lucas of Elyria, Ohio, and his 1912
Harley single won the “Best restored”
trophy.
T. A. Hodgdon and son. Ted, Jr., of Nut-
ley. N. J., proudly display the 1914 BSA
which they restored.
Emmett Moore and son. Michael, of Nut-
ley, N. J., and their big Pope twin.
J. N, Kellogg Clarke and his 1909 Pierce
single.
Harold Bruce, Jr., of Elyria, Ohio, with
his 1914 Harley-Davidson two-speeder.
Michel Steffen of Grand Isle. N. Y.,
proudly displays his fine running Pierce-4.
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