Better Beaters - Building Cars and Daily Drivers

 AMCA Western Nationals and swap meet. Dixon California June 20th. Part Three

A stock appearing early '40's Knucklehead.

As I mentioned, there are all kinds of beautifully restored motorcycles on display at the fairgrounds, but some of my favorites are the well ridden bikes that also show up. These are usually found in the swap meet area.

The automotive term for cars that are maintained and driven is "drivers." I will refer to these types of motorcycles as "riders."

Looking at the design and style, you can determine when certain customized bikes were built. Many were never updated after they were built, and would still retain their original era designs. Not only in paint design and colors, but in their configuration.

A rigid Sporty, and if recall correctly that paint style dates it to the 1970's.
I do like those shotgun pipes!

I'd place this sanitary Knuckle in a similar era.
This configuration of chopper build
was still popular in the early 1970's when I started riding.

A late '40's or early '50's style Knuckle Fat Bob. A "classic" design.
This style became popular again in the late 90's and it's popularity has continued to the present day.

This knucklehead engine found a home in a "Late Model"
swing arm frame. The owner might be giving the engine a temporary home, 
or he might not.

There were also a lot of partially disassembled bikes offered for sale. They are usually missing a couple of items and most are not currently running. Some may just need a little work and the addition of missing parts. Others may have serious engine maladies and are best used as parts bikes. It's hard to tell when a machine is not in running condition. Desirable and popular bikes will carry a higher price tag, obscure or unpopular models will go for much lower prices. 

I believe that this is an 1100cc Honda Sabre, a V4 water cooled bike. This one looks pretty complete except for the missing headlight and side covers. These bikes were very fast, but they seem to have disappeared from view. Where did they all go?

Honda built "custom" style transverse four models for quite a while before they decided to venture into the V Twin world. The Shadow was a very popular bike and the model still lives on forty years later. Current models feature styling which closely approximates Milwaukee V twins. This 700cc version from the '90's is missing a few items but the seller claimed that he had the parts in a box as well as a clear title in his name. Probably the most important accessory. He didn't claim that it was in running condition however.

This trio of Brit bikes are waiting for the right buyer to show up. This looks like a BSA, Norton, and a Triumph. They look to be fairly complete. Although for a lot of enthusiasts, combing swap meets to find the elusive part is a big part of the antique bike experience. 

A small displacement Kawasaki dual purpose bike and a four stroke Honda single. These two look like they might be runners.

Leave it the British to think that this was a good idea. Though I suppose that it had a tax advantage compared to a similar sized four wheel automobile.

Such a cute little combo, probably best suited
to scooting around the fairgrounds.

I've saved some of the most interesting machines for the final segment.