Siege's Vintage Racing Motorcycle Show - 2016 Edition

Gather 'round vintage motocross fans, cafe racer hipsters, and Internet lurkers. Steaming hot off the presses, may I present photos shot at Siege's Vintage Racing Motorcycle Show from - ahem - last January. Better late then never, my motto for today.

I've hit this show a few times over the years, a highlight on my gear head calendar. I did miss last year's version, so was itchy to attend this edition. Usually a pretty good turn out and interesting bikes show up for this gig. Mostly dirt oriented, but always a smattering of vintage road warriors as well.

Siege, the ring leader for these festivities, has also previously featured my photos on his site, which is cool and I enjoy contributing to the scene. Show held once again at large Harley dealer in Renton, now known as Lawless Harley-Davidson.

Enough yapping, let's look at some damn bikes already...

Yes indeed, circa 1980 Suzuki RM400 looking quite yellow and resting sky high. Later hand made pipe the proverbial icing on the two-stroke cake. This era of motocross machinery, the best looking bikes ever. Still air cooled, drum brakes, yet long travel suspension had arrived. 

I've seen this van at various events and always worth the revisit. Fantastic resto-mod of '70s Yamahauler, right down to the period correct stickers. Super cool rig.

Circa 1970 Kawasaki Green Streak, if fading memory and Google searching are correct. All of 100cc of power and triple plated for your racing pleasure.

1981 Husqvarna CR250 looking AHRMA ready to Rock 'N' Roll. Two-stroke and long travel goodness direct from Sweden. Sorta like ABBA, but more noisy and dangerous.

Well done restore of Yamaha YZ, 125cc version I suspect, with modern ProTaper handlebar. I also suspect this specimen actually ridden and raced, much better then collecting dust in a barn somewhere.

Yamaha YZ465 greets and intimidates folks entering the show. Rowdy patrons forced to attempt kickstarting while wearing flip flops, ambulance at the ready.

Shine and patina, together again. Limited engagement, tickets now available. Call now, operators are standing by.

Yamaha MX or early YZ? You be the judge. Modern aluminum swingarm, trick pipe, and black rims adding to the excellent restoration.

Blurring the envelope of what's considered vintage, euro looking Yamaha YZ shows off its upside down fork, linkage rear suspension, disk brakes, and water cooling.

Penton Jackpiner 175 looking splendid in blue, posing in front of action shots. Yes kids, that does say KTM on the engine case. Back in the stone age, before $8000 dirt bikes and FMX existed, Penton family involved with initially bringing KTMs stateside.

Honda CR500 flexes his dented pipe to impress the adoring ladies. Unfortunately, he's shot down in flames.

Tasty Yamaha R5 250 complete with DG heads, expansion chambers, rearsets, and modern shocks. Just another example why vintage is cooler then modern.

Looking quite stock, Yamaha DT MX freshly emerges from time travel machine. Dudes in background debate using travel machine to return to the early '70s, modern YZ in tow, and kick everyone's ass.

Yamaha YZ100 rests comfortably on stolen hotel towel. Back in the dirt bike heyday of the late '70s and early '80s - not even counting mini-cycle classes - racing classes existed for 100, 125, 175, 250, and open class bikes. Freedom of choice is what you want.

Suzuki PE175 stares down dude in puffy blue jacket and wins. For the unknowing, the PE series ran from the late '70s into the early '80s, covering Suzuki's need for serious enduro bikes for the masses. Offered in 175, 250, and 400cc varieties during that time.

Yamaha RD400 looking showroom fresh, vision from the late '70s. I owned the '75 RD350 version back in the '80s. Quick 'N' Fun they were and still are today.

Yamaha RZ350, complete with official Kenny Roberts approval. Only available in the US from 1984 to 1986, last era of two-stroke street motorcycles. I almost bought one new in '85 and used in '91. Should have, always wanted this model of RZ and still on my bucket list.

Honda XL based road racer and apparently a successful one at that. Great looking bike, digging the '70s inspired graphics. I'll take a street legal version.

Yamaha YZ125 stands tall among admiring glances. Bumper crop of nice YZs represented at this event.

Bultaco Pursang straight outta Spain, '77 style. Bultaco, Montesa, and Ossa adding Spanish flair to the dirt bike boom of the '70s. Fantastic era for sure.

Vintage Husqvarna sporting superb restoration. Much off road history steeped into this marque and continues to this day. This era of Husky spinning off images of Malcom Smith and Steve McQueen.

KTM 540 even wheelies at rest. Water cooling, disk brakes, and teal graphics hint at '90s era vintage. Corrections gladly accepted.

Yamaha based flat track bike waiting to turn left.

Early '70s Maico showing off massive finned motor and aluminum coffin tank. Yes please.

Just the usual '81 Yamaha YZ frame with Honda XR100 motor wedged into it. M-Star and KTM stickers to further confuse spectators.

Small bore 1960's Yamaha, not sure of the model. Boatloads of similar looking bikes helped launch the Japanese motorcycle industry, eventually becoming powerhouses and eclipsing the euro brands. This similar to the first motorcycle I ever owned, the 60's Yamaha Twin Jet 100.

Better then new, impressively restored '74 Suzuki TM100 and TM400. Now just need to get 'em dirty. I owned 125cc version back in the day, yellow tank and green stripe memory in progress.

Maico 490 looking deadly serious and perhaps even modern day competitive. Ironically, dude's jacket matches the color combo perfectly.

Blood red Maico 250 under the lights, showing off pair of Works Performance shocks and modern pipe. The stuff dreams are made of.

Yet another great example of all things vintage Maico. If not mistaken, '79 250cc version.

As per the attached hand scribbled note, the unrestored 1973 BSA B-50. Where has this been hiding? Try a 40+ minute moto on this dinosaur, history in motion.

1967 BSA 650 Spitfire in search of nearest Who concert. Total classic look and vibe to this bike.

My favorite bike of the show, appears to be TZ 350 based project and is street legal. Small integrated LED headlight and taillight, with electronic speedo as to not clutter up the works. Awesome. This brought to you by the folks at Twinline Motorcycles in Seattle.

Triumph speedway bike, sorta like a really fast bicycle. Interesting and minimalistic.

Severe patina alert. 1942 Harley-Davidson hill climber, certainly unrestored.

Back in black, Norton 850 Commando now considered rolling artwork. Great example of the historic British motorcycle industry during its heyday.

1966 BSA A65 Hornet posed to break the ton.

The lone CZ at this year's show, well represented by this '72 400. The early action shot a great addition to this display.

Royal Enfield observed trials bike, battleship sized engine case included. Another example of eclectic mix of machinery that shows up for this show.

Pre monoshock era Yamaha MX or YZ, hard for me to distinguish, especially with the modern touches of the restore. Either way, great job on this one.

How often do you see a Cotton motocross bike? Correct answer is almost never. Background dude in tuxedo, Siege, promoter of this annual event.

Yamaha YZ looking a bit fuzzy and dreamlike, complete with Bob Hannah inspired lightning bolts.

1971 Kawasaki F81M 250cc Green Streak balanced between the scrambles and motocross eras.

Second example of '73 BSA representing old school British motocross iron for the event.

Honda CR looking capable and race ready. Color combo reminding of the Mugen kitted CRs back in the day.

This Yamaha YZ125 build was extremely well done. Looks almost vintage works bike cool.

Well preserved 1928 Harley-Davidson keeps an eye on the festivities.

Circa '77 Husqvarna CR200. 200? Spectacular Husky project bike, off the charts trick indeed. The only way it would it look better, would to be in my garage.

Nicely kitted Honda XL250 wowing the old school four-stoke crowd.

Pick one. Semi-vintage Honda CR or vintage Husqvarna CR. There's no wrong answer, but I'll take the Husky.

Not something you see everyday, if ever. 1967 175cc Kawasaki F2M, direct from the era of Japanese companies diving into the early motocross scene.

Dude in background can blur hands at will, amazing passerby. Insanely well done Husqvarna 125 not impressed.

1974 Yamaha MX250 leans coyly to the right, showing off massive fork brace. Remember those?

Cluttered shot of early Hodaka Ace 90, if I have my vintage models correct. Hodaka supplying the masses with cheap and fun dirt biking adventure during the boom years.

Another Yamaha powered flat track bike to gawk at and soak in the details. I really need to hit a flat track race eventually.

Vintage Harley-Davidson sidecar rig guards the building entrance.

Race kitted Honda CB160 allows low cost introduction to road racing. Give it a whirl.

Yamaha RD350 project bike, courtesy of Twinline Motorcycles. Keeping the two-stroke flame alive and cafe racer hipsters happy. Great build on this one.



Well, there you have it. Another show in the books and full report posted - oh, 5 months later - not bad. Photos uploaded and lame caption generator now powered down. Life has a way of interrupting these little projects, hope you enjoyed the digital ride.

If you're in the Seattle area, pencil in next January to attend yourself, you'll be glad you did. Or better yet, maybe you have something to show. Bring it on out.

See you there...