The three-day show will be headlined by legendary bike builder Ron Finch.
The three-day Springfield Motorcycle Show begins on Jan. 18 at the Eastern States Exposition
January in Western Massachusetts has become the month that bikers in the area look forward to for one reason: the Springfield Motorcycle Show.
The eighth edition of the show will run from Jan. 18 through 20 at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield. It will offer everything motorcycle as a respite from the winter doldrums.
The headliner at this year's show is none other than the legendary bike builder Ron Finch, of Michigan, who is known under such monikers as the “King of Customs” and the “Motorcity Magician."
Ron Finch has been building custom motorcycles since 1965 and opened Finch’s Custom Styled Cycles some 40 years ago. Since then, he has been devoted to designing, building and painting custom bikes in his own unique style.
His custom motorcycles have been featured in hundreds of magazines, numerous museums and in shows throughout the world. He is widely considered the founder of the “custom motorcycle” scene.
Finch is also the subject of the documentary movie "Ron Finch-That’s All You Get," which will be premiered at the show. You can look at Ron’s work at www.finchscustoms.com.
Also this year, the show will feature second Northeast Best of the Best Biker Build-Off where four teams of builders will go head-to-head in a three-day ground-up biker build off sponsored by Trantolo & Trantolo.
As usual there will be the always popular bike competition that anyone can enter. Haymond Law is sponsoring the bike competition as well as the Motorcycle Fashion Show, along with co-sponsor Southampton Harley-Davidson.
Other features include the Flo-Flyer motorcycle made famous in the Progressive Insurance TV commercials. Musical favorite Shovelhead will be kicking out the jams as well as Man the Builder.
There will be vendors galore featuring every sort of motorcycle equipment and accessories as well as clothing and leather goods. Other displays will include the Antique Motorcycle Club of America showing many great bikes of the past.
The dynamic radio rock duo of WAQY Rock 102 and Lazer 99.3 will also be on hand to host both the fashion show and a tattoo competition.
The Springfield Motorcycle Show is guaranteed to get any good biker revved up for the 2013 motorcycle season. Show hours are Jan. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m., Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults, children 6 to 12 are $5 and children under 5 are free.
For discount coupons and more information log on to www.osegmotorcycle.com.
Holyoke Soldiers Home Ride: Victory 4 Veterans, the non-profit group that puts together the Holyoke Soldiers Home Ride that benefits the home’s recreation fund, is seeking corporate sponsors and donations for this year’s ride. If you remember correctly, last years’ inaugural ride drew over 700 motorcycles and was a huge success.
This years’ goal is to have over 1,000 bikes and raise even more funds for the men and women who served our country. The Victory 4 Veterans website is currently being constructed and will be active soon.
Those interested in becoming a sponsor or making a donation can contact me at travelintim@hotmail.com. The Holyoke Soldiers Home Ride will also have a booth at the Springfield Motorcycle Show and will be manned by volunteers, including me, so please look for us and swing on by. We will be more than happy to talk to you about the ride; our goal is to make this one of the premier rides in the state that will become a yearly tradition.
Goings On: For those so inclined to make the trip to the Big Apple, the huge Progressive International Motorcycle Show will be at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, also Jan. 18-20.
Events for 2013: Remember; please get me your motorcycle related events for this year so that I may promote them for you. Try to give me at least a month’s heads up.
With that said, here’s hoping that everyone has a healthy and happy new year. Until next time, ride safe and ride smart.