Rare Harley racers to front Stoke show
It was the hunt for an engine to fill an empty frame that led John Shand to purchase his KR Harley Davidson race bike this year.
‘‘I rang a guy in Dunedin. He used to be my father’s apprentice and had a KR he bought 35 years ago. It has history. The guy who first owned it used to work with Burt Munro, who did some of the modifications.’’
Long story short and Shand ended up buying the bike, which came with 15 boxes of spares, enough to build the engine he wanted.
With two KRs now in his collection, Shand turned his attention to hunting down an orange and black liveried XR750 flat tracker.
Funnily enough, it was a call to a friend in Australia that led him to a ‘77 model in Canada, a oneowner bike.
‘‘So I’ve fulfilled that dream and don’t want any more Harleys now,’’ Shand said.
However, unrequited Nelson motorcycle enthusiasts will be able to peruse Shand’s bikes at the upcoming Nelson Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Show in January.
The three H-Ds would be joined by obscure machinery from the Eastern Bloc countries along with classic Japanese, European and American bikes.
Along with a sausage sizzle and displays, the show featured a Sunday swap meet of motorcycle paraphernalia. People with goods to sell could turn up on the day.
The Nelson Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Club also holds fortnightly rides and meets for coffee at the Richmond’s Library Cafe each Saturday morning from 10.30am.
Those interested in classic and vintage bikes were more than welcome to come along, said vicepresident Steve Carrington.
The club planned to hold a period run early next year for owners of girder fork-type motorcycles and associates. Riders were asked to dress in the period of their bikes.
The Nelson Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Show would be held at the Stoke Hall on the weekend of January 7 and 8. The swap meet was on the Sunday from 9am to noon. The show was open from 9am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sunday.
For further information, contact Steve Carrington on 528 4573.