The difference between art and fine art is found in the details used to convey the purpose of the piece. The Full Throttle motorcycle exhibit now showing at the Shelburne Museum is full of the types of details that separate these bikes from the ordinary and places them into a truly special category. Whether you’re looking at a custom piece, a racing bike or a relic, the details will continually surprise and pull you in, wondering what’s next?
The exhibit is showing now until October 25, 2009 in the Shelburne Museum’s round barn. There are approximately 50 motorcycles in the exhibit, spread across each of the barn’s three floors. Each floor is dedicated to a specific type of bike, with floors for classics, customs and racing bikes.
Indian Warrior TTThe entry level is dedicated to the classics and has bikes of American, British and Japanese origin. The 1952 Triumph TR5 Trophy and the Indian Warrior TT from the collection of Bud Leonard of West Rutland stand side-by-side: with their front number plates it isn't hard to imagine them racing down a dirt road. The BSA Thunderbolt with side car is an example of the practical side of motorcycling. The BSA's side car was noted for its sleek aerodynamics. Looking at the rag top convertable roof covering the side-car, I'm wondering just how aerodynamic it would seem when riding down the highway today.
On the mid-level are customs. These bikes vary from an ornate purple pan-head to a high-tech, racing influenced design from the former MotoGP 250 rider Roland Sands. Connecticut’s fine arts trained Lock Baker has a stunning piece, built on a 1991 Harley Davidson FXR that is blister raw, yet exquisite in its refinements. The marriage of street, dirt and custom is found in Ukrainian Alex Lerner’s Kawasaki KLR650 based, rigid chopper.
Roland Sands KRV5 TrackerThe basement level of the barn has the racing machines from dirt track and road racing. The center piece is the Ducati Desmosedici, but examples such as Freddie Spencer’s Honda 1991 RC30 used to race in the AMA Superbike series and Reg Pridmore’s 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000, used to win the AMA Superbike championship in its third year of existence where among the bikes that will hold your attention.
Freddie Spencer Honda RC30Vermont is well represented in the exhibit, with work from Venom Choppers, Mike Palmer of Salisbury VT, Tommy Graves and Julie Graves from Tommy Graves Customs of Jeffersonville VT and Sisco Lellos from Green Mountain Performance of Mendon VT. In total, there are 19 Vermont bikes from various collectors and builders in the exhibit.
And lest you think these bikes are all trailer queens, you’ll note that Tim Stafford of Burlington’s Ducati SP2 has 19K miles on the clock, Freddie Spencer’s Honda has a slick worn to the edges and Jack Manning’s 1965 Royal Enfield was loaned to the exhibit with express stipulation that he be allowed to come by and take it out for a ride.
The Full Throttle exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for Vermont residents, $5 children aged 4 to 18. After 3 p.m. (except Thursday) admission is $10 for Adults. For complete information on admission policies and special hours, including exhibit closures, see the Shelburne Museum web site.
Related Photos:
Vermont Bikes:
- Bud Leonard: 1940 Indian Sport Scout, 1952 Triumph TR5, Indian TT Warrior
- Jim Blair: 1975, 77, 79 and 81 Maico vintage dirt bikes
- Jack Manning, The Classic Bike Experience: 1965 Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc, 1974 Norton Commando 850
- Tony Shaw: 1974 Laverda SF2 custom built at 88 degrees
- Tim Stafford: 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport (European Spec), 1974 Laverda SFC, Ducati SP2
- Dr. Bruce Leavitt: 1941 WLA Harley-Davidson
- Jack DuBrul:, 1947 Whizzer WH model motorized bicycle.
- Mike Palmer, Venom Choppers of Salisbury: Road Kill custom
- Tommy and Julie Graves, Tommy Graves Customs of Jeffersonville: Smackdown custom
- Sisco Lellos, Green Mountain Performance of Mendon: Calgon and UTR (Under the Radar) customs
wow nice collection of bikes