Legendary Bikes

Noteworthy Historic Motorcycles

Wayne Rainey Rides Again

Posted by Rob Brooks | Jun 29, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life | 0 |

Legendary Bikes: Vincent Black Shadow Series C

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 9, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 3 |

Through the Lens: Wayne Rainey

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Mar 9, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life | 0 |

As motorcycle racing series are all revving up for the 2022 season, we thought it appropriate to shine the “Through the Lens” spotlight on Wayne Rainey, multi-year AMA and GP World Champion, and founder/president of the MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing organization. We’ve covered MotoAmerica since its inception and launch in 2015, and have personally interviewed Wayne on several occasions. Humble and friendly, Wayne is also focused and driven, from his early racing successes to restoring American motorcycle road racing to its former and future glory.

The Abernathy Boys- An American Chronicle

by Rob Brooks | Feb 25, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life | 2 |

I first laid eyes on the photo of the “Abernathy Kids” when my father gave me a wooden framed print of it some 10 years ago for my basement “man cave”. He knew a little of the backstory which he shared with me, and I placed the picture and frame among some of my other vintage and antique paraphernalia downstairs, where it remained for a decade. When we transferred my “motorcycle works” to a new outdoor garage, I thought the photo and frame would fit perfectly, so I set it among my other old stuff on the back pegboard.

Legendary Bikes: Kawasaki Z1 900 Super Four

by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 31, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 2 |

With the recent advent of the 50th Anniversary Kawasaki Z line, we thought a look back at the makings of this iconic motorcycle might be in order. Our friends at the Throttlestop Museum in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin have a pristine original Z1 900, and some fascinating details about it’s rapid, desperate development that arguably produced the world’s first “superbike”. If you’re a fan of 1960s-70s motorcycles, this story with fascinate you. If you’re not, you just might become one after this tale.

Through The Lens: Kenny Roberts

by Geoff & Barb Nickless | Jan 7, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life | 5 |

Kenny Roberts is a legend in American motorcycle racing. Born in Modesto, California in 1951, Kenny took to racing at a young age, quitting high school to compete in dirt track and going pro by the time he was 18. In 1978 Roberts became the first American to win a Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing world championship, now known as MotoGP. A two-time winner of the AMA Grand National Championship here stateside, Roberts is only one of four motorcycle racers in AMA history to take the coveted AMA Grand Slam, with wins in the mile, half-mile, short-track, TT Steeplechase and road racing.

Legendary Bikes: 1935 BSA J35-12 Twin

by Rob Brooks | Dec 27, 2021 | Legendary Bikes | 0 |

With the return of BSA and the debut of their beautiful 650 Gold Star, we thought a brief look back at the history of the brand would be in order, and specifically one of their limited-run machines from the 1930s, the 1935 J35-12 Twin. Our model in photos is the beautifully restored edition on display at the Throttlestop Museum in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.