Born to Ride: Motorbikes Past & Present in Sacramento

Jan 2 - Mar 12, 2010

Sacramento, CA -- New Exhibit Is A Roadmap of Motorcycle History. California Automobile Museum’s newest exhibit shows you can have at least as much fun on two wheels as four. On exhibit January 2 – March 12, “Born to Ride: Motorbikes Past and Present,” sponsored by Elk Grove Power Sports, is the museum’s first-ever exhibit devoted to motorcycles and showcases a century’s worth of models, ranging from some of the earliest and most rare to a critic’s choice for the best new model in 2010. The exhibit will also include racing motorcycles and memorabilia, a tribute to Sacramento’s rich motorcycle racing history. Other exhibits at the museum have include a hearse exhibit.

In all, the exhibit includes more than 50 motorcycles, including those used for over-the-road and some built specifically for racing. The exhibit also allows visitors to trace the rise and fall of manufacturers from various countries, including the United States, Italy, Germany, England and Japan, as each rose to the challenge of designing more advanced models in a highly competitive marketplace.

Nameplates in the exhibit range from the well-known, such as Harley Davidson, BMW, Triumph, Ducati and Honda, to the extinct or nearly forgotten, such as Thor, Crocker, Excelsior and Ariel. Some of the noteworthy bikes include:

· A 1912 Harley Davidson, the first chain-driven model from that manufacturer, which has been owned by the late Steve McQueen;

· A 1942 Crocker, the most rare model in the exhibit;

· A 1953 Ariel Mark II, a highly competitive British model with a unique “square four” engine design;

· A 1959 Triumph, the first model from that maker capable of 100 mph and winner of the Winners Circle Prize from the Antique Motorcycle Club of America;

· A 1965 Honda Dream 300/305, a People’s Choice winner from the Classic Japanese Motorcyle Show;

· A Honda CB 750, widely credited with ending the dominance of British manufacturers in that era;

· An Aprilia RSV4 that has been named “Bike of the Year for 2010” by Cycle World magazine.

The Museum will host special event days in conjunction with this exhibit. Activities will be free for Museum members and included in Museum admission for non-members.

January 9, 2010
11am – 3pm: Demo Rides by Elk Grove Power Sports (weather permitting – call to verify)
11am - 3pm: Jelly Belly Factory will have two motorcycles and hand out samples
11am - 3pm: Pinstriping demonstration by local pinstriper Samantha "Bogie" Boeger, items for sale, and a raffle
11am – 12pm: Safety Presentation by California Motorcycle Safety Program
1pm – 3pm: Meet and Greet with Sam Bousefield, CEO of Samson Motors and designer of the Switchblade Multi-Mode Vehicle (flying motorcycle)

January 16, 2010
1pm – 3pm: Presentation by Glynn Kerr, motorcycle designer (RSVP by January 13th)

About the California Automobile Museum: the California Automobile Museum, formerly the Towe Auto Museum, is a spacious 72,000 square foot museum, home to over 150 vehicles of various makes and models, ranging from the early 1900s to alternative power vehicles, uniquely displayed chronologically among exhibits befitting the times and changes of the automobile. A knowledgeable docent staff provides visitors with guided tours through the exhibits that recreate the love affair we have with automobiles. Exhibits also provide historical information about the automotive industry. The Museum’s mission is to educate and entertain while preserving and promoting the automobile and its influence on our lives. The Museum is located at 2200 Front Street, between Broadway and Old Sacramento with ample free parking. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, taking the last admission at 5pm and stays open until 9pm every third Thursday. For more information visit www.CalAutoMuseum.org or call (916) 442-6802.

Location: 2200 Front Street, between Broadway and Old Sacramento. The Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, taking the last admission at 5 pm. Cost: $8 Adult; $7 Senior; $4 Student/ ID; Free Under 5. Call (916) 442-6802. CalAutoMuseum.org org.  Karen McClaflin is Executive Director of the California Automobile Museum.