Curing the Wintertime Blues - A Visit to Motorcyclopedia

This past weekend, I finally paid a visit to Motorcyclopedia in Newburgh, New York. I had heard about this place for years, and on Sunday, while recovering from a cold, I drove up with my buddy to check it out. I was blown away by the size of the collection, especially the vintage hillclimbers, the pre-WW1 bikes, the vintage police bikes, and the unrestored barn finds. During the warmer months, they also have "Wall of Death" shows, and throughout the year they host Lecture Series and Swap Meets. I will definitely be returning again soon.

Fins cut down for running on alcohol

Homemade studded tires

CB750 Sidecar Racer

Two engines and a supercharger

Ariel Square 4 - One of the prettiest engines ever built

The Japanese Section

Hercules Wankel Rotary

Wall of Death Indian Scout

Rear hub clutch

Motorcycle modified into a railcar, apparently owned by Charles Lindbergh

Drew taking notes on a KZ400 Cutaway

Sandcasting molds

Nassau County Police Department

Nimbus

Vincent

...and Vincent

Homemade Excelsior Replica

Engine Running Video

Steam Bike

Indian Scout

Snow Skies

One of many Barn Finds

HiRail Truck abandoned out back

Boxcar being converted into a theater

1974 International Travelall Test Drive

And now, once again, for something completely different. Last month, I had the opportunity to take my uncle's latest midlife-crisis toy for a shakedown test drive. Earlier in the fall, he bought a survivor 1974 International Travelall SUV from Michigan and had it shipped to his parents in Pennsylvania. From there, the plan was to drive it back to Long Island. This truck originated in Nevada, and as such is extremely clean for its age.

This truck is basically identical to the truck that my grandfather, his father, drove in the '70's (before it dissolved into a pile of rust, these trucks were notorious for that) I visited a few weeks early and gave the truck a once over, to determine if there were any major issues before taking it on a roadtrip. The pictures and driving video are below:

New York Motorcycle Show 2014

This year, my KZ400 diesel motorcycle was accepted into the Ultimate Builder Competition at the 2014 New York International Motorcycle Show. It was an incredible experience, and I was honored to share floor space with some beautifully-built custom machinery. And surprise, I didn't bring the only diesel to the show! Below are pictures of the spectacular Kubota-powered bobber that took runner-up in the Freestyle category.

Unloading

Pre-Show lineup

Kubota bobber. Incredible design and build

Details of the drivetrain

Showtime!

The electric Harley I've heard so much about

Ducati's new Scrambler

Land Speed Racing

On the wish list

BEEFCAKE!

Looks pretty good on a clean carpet!

Fantastic Portraits

Some offerings from the VJMC booth

Velocette in the Featherbed

Warhorse

Amazing Beemer custom

Indian lineup