WHILE the Shoalhaven is preparing to rug up for a chilly long weekend, a group of hardy riders will be squeezing into black leather and donning pudding bowl helmets for a ride down motorcycle memory lane.
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More than 100 vintage and historic motorbikes, some dating back to the 1920s and all lovingly maintained by their owners, have started to gather at Berry Showground for the annual three-day Kickstart Rally.
Organised by the Shoalhaven Historic Vehicle Club, the annual event celebrates its 10th anniversary and is regarded as a must-do on the vintage motorcycle calendar.
From today until Monday afternoon, Berry Showground will be transformed into a tent city museum housing more than $1 million worth of rare machines. Their owners are happy to brave the cold conditions for the joy of riding with more than 100 like-minded individuals on some of the best coastal and mountain roads in the country.
As the name suggests, the Kickstart rally is a road going event. The valuable machines are no trailer queens and will be out and about performing their intended purpose, giving locals and visitors a rare chance to see some very special machines in action. In fact, to be considered for judging each bike must complete at least one of the road courses.
Organiser Andrew Parker said bikes from all over the world converge for the event.
“Most of the bikes attending are British makes from the 1950s, 60s and 70s like BSA, Norton, Vincent, AJS and many more,” said Andrew.
“There will also be classic Harleys and recently there has been real interest in early Japanese bikes so expect to see a few of them as well,” he said.
“The event just gets better each year and draws some really rare machines.”
Judging for the competition side of the event will take place at Berry Showground on Saturday afternoon, a perfect opportunity for bike lovers to get up close to the fantastic array of machines and talk to the owners.
One of this year’s biggest drawcards will a rare 1930s Indian 45 owned by Berry local John MacDonald. Originally built as a hill climb special, the 750cc machine is exactly as it left the factory 80 years ago.
“This bike is number 12 of only 26 Indian 45 models ever made,” John said.
“Indian built the V-Twin overhead valve motor to compete with Harley-Davidson, whose new machines were beating the old Indian pushrod powered bikes in the all-important hill climb races.”
When Mr MacDonald took delivery of the bike he found an additional surprise in the crate.
“When the bike arrived there was an original Orie Steele poster from the Springfield Massachusetts Indian factory included that I did not expect.
“Orie was the works rider and raced the Indian 45; the poster is probably as rare as the bike.”
