Big Sid Biberman has been tuning motorcycle engines for well over 50 years. He has a deep knowledge of Vincent bikes, an interest that began in 1950. He would own a Rapide in 1951 and tour the Vincent factory in 1953. Later, he’d develop a friendship with Phil Irving, Vincent’s chief engineer and designer of the Black Shadow.
As soon as combustion engines began coughing their way past skeptics and in to the minds of early adopters, the ‘delivery’ industry made a giant leap in efficiency. In the very early 1900s, motorcycles quickly replaced many bicycles, horses and feet as a faster means of delivering information.
Chris Sickels is an illustrator from Greenfield, Indiana. He rides a 1965 Harley-Davidson Pacer, a 175cc two-stroke with unabashed nicks and dings. We visited Red Nose Studio where his world of sculpted puppets and miniature environments line the walls and crowd his desks.
Classic European and vintage Japanese motorcycles line the curbs of North Lincoln Avenue in downtown Chicago along with a sprinkling of streetfighters, choppers, bobbers and modern bikes. There’s also a strong contingent of old and new scooters mixed into the Mods vs Rockers event hosted by Ton Up Club of Chicago. While it’s a wonderful bike show, it’s great for people-watching as well.
Driving down into Louisville, we’re quickly enamored with the old buildings lining the Ohio River. Headed West on Main Street, just passed the hoppin’ downtown scene, we find Restoration Werks with the front door open to all. It’s an overhead door, up and revealing hand-picked antiques, a vintage Gilera, and a steel table displaying a selection of new moto tees. Look farther into the space, passed the custom shop lights made from salvaged glass and metal, and you’ll see a Vincent, a Brough Superior and an assortment of engines that have a special place in motorcycle lore.
(Update: Mel has been named senior vice president and general manager of the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. We congratulate him on his new direction and wish him the best of luck. -GSG)
Mel Harder is a motorcyclist. He’s a listener, an observer, and a doer. He grew up in Speedway, Indiana, beginning a lifelong involvement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 2002, he took the reigns as Senior VP of Operations at IMS and later helped secure a deal that brought MotoGP racing to Indy in 2008.
