Motorcycles sat at home, sad and waiting for warmer weather, but the riders were out in full force. The 2014 Colorado Motorcycle Expo was a big success, no thanks to old man winter. Even with highways closed all around Colorado about 20,000 bikers and motorcycle enthusiast came out to the National Western Complex in Denver for the biggest motorcycle event in the Rocky Mountain region. It wasn't just locals that came to dream about riding weather, there were club members from all around the United States. 

 

 

This is the first year for the new promoters Jeff Brown and Ron Douglas and they did a good job at keeping things moving. After 35 years of running the show Jack Portice and Jim Arnett decided it was time to retire and hand the reigns over to a new team. Jeff and Ron stepped up and took on the challenge. With activities all day long there was something for everyone. The bike show brought in some excellent custom rides and sweet classics. Pinstripers demonstrated their skills and later auctioned off some artwork for charity. The bikini contest had the crowd roaring and the bands rocked on. The globe of death riders had the crowd in suspense as the riders came within inches of each other and their lovely assistant.

 

 

The biker community is known for their big hearts and willingness to support good causes. This year the show raised about $10,000 for the “I Love You Guys” Foundation and “Biker Down”. The funds were raised with a raffle for a trip to Las Vegas and time with Danny “The Count” Koker and auctions of the pinstripe art and other donated items. 

 

 

The crowd was amazing and the over 800 vendors were enjoying the day. Johnnie from our friends over at J10 Customs was concerned that he had not brought enough product. At the end of the day he couldn't even talk, it had been such a long and successful day. Talking to all those folks will wear a man out. The weather helped sales, you can carry so much more home in a car than on the back of a bike.

 

 

Danny “The Count” Koker  and his band The Counts 77 rocked the house. They played old skool rock and some of their own stuff. With their debut record release on the horizon it was good to hear some originals. The band has a solid rock-n-roll style and their original music delivers on the style. Look for their self titled record release April 29th. Not only did The Count come to rock Colorado, he also helped support Biker Down with a raffle. It was nice to see a down to earth celebrity, someone who truly cares and wants to give back to the community that helped make him successful. Promoter Jeff Douglas said “It was pleasure to see Danny interact with the fans,he truly cares”.

 

 

A new addition to the show this year was a motorcycle museum display with bikes from several organizations. Both Colorado and Wyoming chapters of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, the British Motorcycle Club, the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club of America and the National Motorcycle Museum from Iowa all had bikes on display. I had a great time taking photos of some fine and rare machines. Seeing these bikes really makes you appreciate how far the industry has come and the dependable bikes we get to ride now. Being nostalgic we think how nice it is to tinker with your ride and know it inside and out, but we forget about the frustration of being left stranded when something went wrong. I love my old ironhead but when it comes to dependability I'll take my Road King everyday.

 

 

This show was a great break from PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome) and the winter chill but we won't have to wait a year for it to come back. The next Colorado Motorcycle Expo will be held September 19-21. So plan on visiting Colorado this year and see for yourself how Colorado does motorcycles.

www.coloradomotorcycleexpo.com

 

 

125 bikes competed to be best in their class. Innovative designs and craftsmanship was the theme and the judges had a difficult job. Here are the winners of each class competition. 

 

SPECIAL INTEREST
3 DAVE BATTON	1969 HONDA
2 BARRY SCHROGER	1967 HONDA
1 RAINE CRAMER	1972 INDIAN

 

TRIKE CLASS
3 BOB STREETER	2012 HD TRIGLIDE
2 FRED YOUNGER	2001 H-D CUSTOMER
1 SCOTTER RINN	2005 CUSTOM TRIKE

ASIAN AND EUROPEAN RADICAL CUSTOM
3 TOM HAWN	1951 TRIUMPH T-BIRD
2 GANNON DVORAK	1955 TRIUMPH TROPHY
1 BRYAN HAGER	969 BSA

 

AMERICAN RADICAL
3 DANIEL BIERS	1973 SHOVELHEAD
2 ANDREW JARAMILLO	1965 PANHEAD
1 CHRIS FLOREZ	1975 SHOVEL

 

 

Until next time,

David Campbell