This site contains an extensive library of photos form the second annual 2007 Legend of the Motorcycle Concours D'Elegance vintage motorcycle show.
Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay
This year's show was held in Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco on the California coast. Several thousand vintage motorcycle fans were in attendance at this second annual event. The show was held on the golf coarse lawn of the posh Ritz-Carlton resort, with a perfect backdrop of the rugged California coastline.
The featured marques for this year's event were Excelsior, Henderson, and Vincent HRD, but there were over three hundred entries representing almost every marque from Vespa scooters to MV Agusta and Harley Davidson.
Half Moon Bay - 'Legend of the Motorcycle' show at the Ritz-Carlton
Judges include such legendary figures such as Erik Buell, Oriol Bulto, Bud Ekins (Honorary Judge), Mert Lawwill (Honorary Judge), Marty Dickerson (Honorary Judge), Pierre Terblanche, and Craig Vetter.
This year's first place winner was a 1915 Henderson 'Long-Tank', winning the "Best of Show" award. A "lifetime achievement" award went to Willie G. Davidson.
1918 Henderson
Most of the bikes on display were in remarkably pristine restored condition, raising the bar on what would be considered "concours condition."
2006 Vincent 'Godet-Egli
The Bonhams & Butterfields auction had several interesting motorcycles to choose from, including a 1908 Moto Rêve, 1928 BMW R57, 1922 Scott Standard Tourer, 1912 Indian Twin, 1926 Excelsior Super-X, 1914 Henderson, and many collectable vintage motorcycle art posters.
Mike Madden's 1915 Henderson Long-Tank, heads for the 'winners circle'
One of the standouts in the show was a 1948 Vincent Black Lightning that set the land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats, ridden by Rollie Free. Due to the poor aerodynamics of his ill-fitting leather suite, he wore only a thong type bathing-suite and cap, while stretched out flat on the seat - positively insane!
Early American 'Factory Production Class' Motorcycles in front of the Ritz-Carlton
Chad McQueen with Bud Ekins
The only disappointment was the interjection of such non-motorcycle vendors as Aston Martin and Smith & Hawken, but sponsor are sponsors, and if they can help keep events like this going, they are justifiably necessary.
Restored Henderson 'Long Tank'
If you are planning on attending next year's 'Legend of the Motorcycle' event, you will want to book your reservations at the Ritz-Carlton well in advance.
Vintage Motorcycle Event Links
Legend of the Motorcycle - Official Site
Bonhams & Butterfields - Vintage Motorcycle Auctions
Petersen Automotive Museum - Bonhams Auction
MidAmerica Auctions, Inc. - Vintage Motorcycles
Misc Vintage Motorcycle Links
Jay Leno's Garage
Motorcycles of the 20th Century
All photos from the 'Legend of the Motorcycle' Concours D'Elegance at Half Moon Bay were taken using Nikon D3, D2Xs, and D200 camera bodies, with Nikon 300mm and 105mm f/2.8 VR telephoto lenses, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lenses, and Nikon 14mm f/2.8 and 18mm-35mm f/3.5-4.5 wide angle lenses.
