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Motorcycles

In photos: Classics and customs at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering

By Aaron Heinrich
May 08, 2017
In photos: Classics and customs at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A beautifully restored Honda 400 Four Supersport at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A beautifully restored Honda 400 Four Supersport at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
An older Yamaha 360 scrambler at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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An older Yamaha 360 scrambler at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A Crocetti Speciale, one of the more unusual bikes at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A Crocetti Speciale, one of the more unusual bikes at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This Britten was one of the class winners at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This Britten was one of the class winners at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A 1970 BSA two-engine drag bike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A 1970 BSA two-engine drag bike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A great example of a Bimota superbike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A great example of a Bimota superbike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A nice example of some of the Japanese bikes on display was this Kawasaki 500
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A nice example of some of the Japanese bikes on display was this Kawasaki 500
Norton 750 Commando
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Norton 750 Commando
One of the many Nortons on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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One of the many Nortons on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Some examples of the older Japanese dirt bikes that are starting to become popular restoration projects
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Some examples of the older Japanese dirt bikes that are starting to become popular restoration projects
A customized 2014 BMW RnineT
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A customized 2014 BMW RnineT
Customs like this BMW are becoming more prominent at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Customs like this BMW are becoming more prominent at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Another Norton mixing with some Ducatis
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Another Norton mixing with some Ducatis
Ducati Desmo 250
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Ducati Desmo 250
A restored Ducati race bike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A restored Ducati race bike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A Norton Classic Rotary gets some attention at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A Norton Classic Rotary gets some attention at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A nicely restored BMW sidecar rig
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A nicely restored BMW sidecar rig 
A restored BSA race bike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A restored BSA race bike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A number of Vincents like this one also made an appearance at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A number of Vincents like this one also made an appearance at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Modern customs like this Harley are becoming more common at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Modern customs like this Harley are becoming more common at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Here's a custom even Evel Knievel would have liked
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Here's a custom even Evel Knievel would have liked
Several hundred attendees at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering were treated to a Southern style lunch with the price of admission
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Several hundred attendees at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering were treated to a Southern style lunch with the price of admission
Norton 850 Commando
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Norton 850 Commando
Even several Morgans made an appearance at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Even several Morgans made an appearance at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This Triumph sidecar rig was one of the few such rigs at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This Triumph sidecar rig was one of the few such rigs at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A 1939 Ariel Square Four at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A 1939 Ariel Square Four at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This was the only HRD at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This was the only HRD at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A handful of Velocettes were part of a private collection on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A handful of Velocettes were part of a private collection on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A beautifully restored scooter
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A beautifully restored  scooter
A nice example of a 1963 BSA
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A nice example of a 1963 BSA
One of only a few Ariels on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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One of only a few Ariels on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A handful of Indians similar to this one found their way to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A handful of Indians similar to this one found their way to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Several Buells found their way to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Several Buells found their way to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
An all-original Indian enduro that had never been ridden or started
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An all-original Indian enduro that had never been ridden or started
A few scooters were on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A few scooters were on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Custom Vespas at the Quail
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Custom Vespas at the Quail
This US Navy scooter was one of the more unusual two-wheelers on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This US Navy scooter was one of the more unusual two-wheelers on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
It's not vintage or classic but the BMW Boxer Cup is still a looker
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It's not vintage or classic but the BMW Boxer Cup is still a looker
The Italjet Vapiro complete with period helmet
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The Italjet Vapiro complete with period helmet
A Norton engine on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A Norton engine on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
The cockpit of the Italjet Vampiro
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The cockpit of the Italjet Vampiro
Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A well-presented Yamaha superbike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A well-presented Yamaha superbike at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
More Nortons, including the John Player model in the middle
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More Nortons, including the John Player model in the middle
More old Nortons including the John Player model in the middle
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More old Nortons including the John Player model in the middle
A former Mondial racer on display at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
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A former Mondial racer on display at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
One of the few custom bobbers at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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One of the few custom bobbers at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This is a handmade bike powered by a BMW engine
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This is a handmade bike powered by a BMW engine
A much older and completely restored BSA
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A much older and completely restored BSA
Some Honda CL350s with odd paint jobs
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Some Honda CL350s with odd paint jobs
A Triumph flat tracker formerly raced by Kenny Roberts
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A Triumph flat tracker formerly raced by Kenny Roberts
Sometimes new bikes are nice to look at, too, including this BMW
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Sometimes new bikes are nice to look at, too, including this BMW
A set of older Honda Africa Twins at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A set of older Honda Africa Twins at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
The Corbin Sparrow was on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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The Corbin Sparrow was on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Corbin had this Slingshot at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering to showcase the accompanying bags and seats
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Corbin had this Slingshot at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering to showcase the accompanying bags and seats
Flat trackers like this seem to be gaining in popularity at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Flat trackers like this seem to be gaining in popularity at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Gordon McCall, co-founder of the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, interviews retired racer Kenny Roberts
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Gordon McCall, co-founder of the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, interviews retired racer Kenny Roberts
A Penton Hare Scrambler with a number plate signed by John Penton
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A Penton Hare Scrambler with a number plate signed by John Penton
Even a Rickman made a showing at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Even a Rickman made a showing at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A 1971 Yamaha flat tracker at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A 1971 Yamaha flat tracker at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A restored 1985 Yamaha RZ500 at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A restored 1985 Yamaha RZ500 at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A Honda 750 Four is an example of the growing popularity of restored Japanese motorcycles
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A Honda 750 Four is an example of the growing popularity of restored Japanese motorcycles
A nicely restored Kawasaki KZ900
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A nicely restored Kawasaki KZ900
This older police bike was a show winner at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This older police bike was a show winner at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This is a motorcycle that turns into a personal helicopter
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This is a motorcycle that turns into a personal helicopter
One of the few Harley Davidsons at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
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One of the few Harley Davidsons at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
A 1977 Triumph Bonneville at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
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A 1977 Triumph Bonneville at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
Great example of an in-line four powered custom racer
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Great example of an in-line four powered custom racer 
This custom Honda four didn't have much of a seat on it
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This custom Honda four didn't have much of a seat on it
A V-twin custom at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A V-twin custom at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A MotoGP inspired Honda CB550 custom
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A MotoGP inspired Honda CB550 custom
An interesting Triumph custom at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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An interesting Triumph custom at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Close-up of the engine in a Triumph custom
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Close-up of the engine in a Triumph custom
This Honda tracker is a good example of the growing popularity of different custom bikes being shown at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This Honda tracker is a good example of the growing popularity of different custom bikes being shown at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This BSA was one of the show finishers at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This BSA was one of the show finishers at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
The presence of the electric motorcycle made by Zero may mean more electric bikes at future Quail Motorcycle Gatherings
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The presence of the electric motorcycle made by Zero may mean more electric bikes at future Quail Motorcycle Gatherings
A Honda CBX and its massive six-cylinder engine at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A Honda CBX and its massive six-cylinder engine at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Close up of the engine of a Honda CBX
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Close up of the engine of a Honda CBX
A head on view of the Honda CBX
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A head on view of the Honda CBX
One of the custom bikes at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering - an IVI
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One of the custom bikes at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering - an IVI
More of the many Nortons at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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More of the many Nortons at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A Norton frame on proper display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A Norton frame on proper display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A John Player Norton was one of several dozen Nortons on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A John Player Norton was one of several dozen Nortons on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, and Mert Lawill were on stage while a few of their bikes were on display at the front at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, and Mert Lawill were on stage while a few of their bikes were on display at the front at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Another one of the more unique Nortons at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Another one of the more unique Nortons at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Nortons and more Nortons – fans could view more than three dozen different types at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
An example of one of the Nortons at this year's Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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An example of one of the Nortons at this year's Quail Motorcycle Gathering
Celebrating 50 years of Norton was the theme of this year's Quail Motorcycle Gathering, and there were over three dozen Nortons on display
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Celebrating 50 years of Norton was the theme of this year's Quail  Motorcycle Gathering, and there were over three dozen Nortons on display
More examples of the many Nortons at this year's Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
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More examples of the many Nortons at this year's Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering
This is a custom BMW that holds the record for fastest time in the Cannonball Run from LA to NYC - 38 hours and 49 minutes
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This is a custom BMW that holds the record for fastest time in the Cannonball Run from LA to NYC - 38 hours and 49 minutes
Ducati flat tracker owned and raced by Bob Budschat
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Ducati flat tracker owned and raced by Bob Budschat
A couple of older BMWs were some of the few examples of the German marque at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A couple of older BMWs were some of the few examples of the German marque at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A lone Bultaco on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A lone Bultaco on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A fully loaded Ural is ready for the road
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A fully loaded Ural is ready for the road
Manufacturers like Honda are starting to show off their newer bikes, like this Africa Twin, at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Manufacturers like Honda are starting to show off their newer bikes, like this Africa Twin, at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A 2014 Confederate Hellcat defies description
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A 2014 Confederate Hellcat defies description
Some of the initial winners and second place finishers at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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Some of the initial winners and second place finishers at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This Wankel powered bike and its owner took a top award at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This Wankel powered bike and its owner took a top award at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
More bikes in the winners and finishers area at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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More bikes in the winners and finishers area at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A Moto Guzzi Supernaturale waits to go on stage at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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A Moto Guzzi Supernaturale waits to go on stage at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This custom race bike was a show finisher at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This custom race bike was a show finisher at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
This Norton Commando was a finisher at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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This Norton Commando was a finisher at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
The Corbin Sparrow was on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
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The Corbin Sparrow was on display at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering
View gallery - 104 images

The average motorcycle show attendee in the United States has gotten used to events that feature a range of chopped, bobbed, lowered and chromed out V-twins that mostly wear the Harley Davidson badge. Then there's the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, where the bikes and the crowd are far more diverse – and we were there.

Heading into its ninth year, the event held at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel Valley, California has become synonymous with beautifully restored classic and vintage bikes, and a growing number of customs – the latter being more in line with the current retro modern combination, and an occasional model thrown in that defies description.

It may be one of the few places (other than a museum) where you'll find a 1937 Indian Chief, a Britten V1000 competition bike, and a 1957 Mondial in the same show.

Over 300 bikes were on display – most of them belonging to individual collectors – and were included in a judging process that picked a first and second place winner in multiple categories. As Gordon McCall, the show's co-founder, said about only picking first and second, "No one brags about third place."

Each year the event has a different theme, and this year it was all about Norton. With well over three dozen different Nortons on display, fans of the marque had plenty to gush over, including a featherbed frame on proper display.

Below is a complete list of the show winners. Check out the photo gallery for shots of many of the bikes that were on display.

Best of Show

1957 Mondial 250 Grand Prix Double Overhead Cam

Spirit of The Quail Award

1948 Triumph T100 Tiger

50th Anniversary of the Norton Commando

1968 Norton Fastback

Industry Award

2015 Prototype Fuller Moto Motus Naked

Innovation Award

1991 BMW Alpha

Design and Style Award

1975 Moto Guzzi 850T

HVA Preservation Award

1942 Indian Pre-War Big Base Scout

The Cycle World Tour Award

1980 Suzuki GS1000S

Significance in Racing Award

1995 Britten V1000 #10

Why We Ride Award

1978 Yamaha XS750

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award

1983 Honda Factory RS 750 Flat Tracker

Extraordinary Bicycles/Scooter Class Award

1971 NYPD Lambretta LI150 Special

Antique 1st Place

1918 BSA Model H

American 1st Place

1937 Indian Chief

American 2nd Place

1914 Jefferson Board Track Racer

British 1st Place

1939 Brough Superior SS100

British 2nd Place

1936 Vincent HRD Comet

Italian 1st Place

1959 Moto Parilla 99 Olimpia

Italian 2nd Place

1967 Benelli Custom

Japanese 1st Place

1976 Yamaha XT500C

Japanese 2nd Place

1969 Honda CB750 Factory Police Special

Other European 1st Place

1976 Hercules W2000 Wankel

Other European 2nd Place

1969 BMW R60/2

Competition Off Road 1st Place

1975 Husqvarna 360 Flat Tracker

Competition On Road 1st Place

1957 Mondial 250 Grand Prix Double Overhead Cam

Custom/Modified 1st Place

1958 Triumph Tiger

Custom/Modified 2nd Place

1968 BSA Thunderbolt

View gallery - 104 images

Tags

MotorcyclesBMWTriumphShowVincentMoto GuzziVintageIndian MotorcyclesBSANorton MotorcycleMotorcycleVelocette
1 comment
Aaron Heinrich
Aaron first knew he wanted to be a writer when he was in grade school and the local paper printed his editorial on environmental issues. Since then he’s written screenplays, white papers, speeches, and articles on everything from baby diapers to nanotech. When he’s not behind a computer keyboard, he’s grabbing the handlebars on his motorcycle and riding around California and beyond.

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Martin Hone
Some great bikes, good pics, and lousy captions.....