Tuesday, June 15, 2010

First Thursday Vintage Bike Night - Club 404

I'd heard about this local Denver event, where on the first Thursday of each month, owners and riders of vintage motorcycles of all marques would gather at Club 404 to show off and admire motorcycles.  This past Thursday, the weather was warm and clear and the motorcycles were out in good numbers!

The club/restaurant is located at the junction of 4th Street and southbound Broadway Blvd in Denver.  I took Hampden Avenue to Broadway and headed north in medium to light traffic until I saw a gathering of motorcycles on 4th street.

I arrived shortly before 7:00 PM and there were already over 30 motorcycles parked with a good sized crowd of people looking them over.


I carefully parked Brigitta, my 1987 R80 Airhead Beemer in an open spot and was almost immediately engaged in conversation by a gentleman who'd spotted me parking the motorcycle.  Ron owns a '79 R100 and we proceeded to talk about Beemers of course.  He's not ridden his in over ten years but his son's recent taking up motorcycling has led to him seriously thinking of resuscitating his motorcycle.

We then parted ways and I proceeded to take the following pictures of some of the motorcycles that caught my eye, I hope you like them.

A very clean and shiny Moto Guzzi

An Airhead Beemer with a "Toaster" tank

Cushman Scooter

A bit scruffy looking but still classic Norton

I was glad I'd decided to ride the R80 and not my Ural, this example was hardly getting any looks by the crowd, whereas Brigitta attracted her fair share of looks and photographers.

A Honda made into a Cafe Racer

A vintage Harley Davidson (and yes, it marked it spot, quite well I might add)
This one had a "suicide shift" lever.

I ran into Hans who was the one who introduced me to the guys at the BMAC, here with his nicely running Triumph motorcycle.

Another vintage Honda

This Triumph caught my eye due to the way the pipes had to be covered to prevent burning the rider's left leg

The paint job on this cafe racer was eye-catching, I think it's a Norton

Check out the exhaust pipes on this Honda!

I almost left the event without taking a picture of Brigitta!

I didn't tarry long at the event, leaving around 7:45 PM or so and taking Broadway all the way back down south to Hampden Avenue and home.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

been to the 404 tons of times and didnt realize they had any kind of bike night. From the pics it looks like a fun time. Thanks for the article
Brian
www.americancustom.com

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Charlie6 (Dom):

There is nothing to match the color, the sound, or the incredible beauty of antique and vintage motorcycles assembled for an event. And yours fit right in, with both dignity and unparaleled Teutonic appeal.

I am so glad you remembered to photograh you own bike.

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads