New England News

OXFORD, MA – The Union Jack flapped in the breeze atop a flagpole at the Singletary Rod & Gun Club on Sunday as hundreds of British bike lovers converged for the 27th annual motorcycle show and swap meet staged by the British Iron Association of Massachusetts. Sprinkled among the dozens …

ROCKVILLE, CT – Two dirt bikes stolen from the New England Motorcycle Museum around 2 a.m. Wednesday have been recovered and the thieves have been arrested, according to a Thursday night post on Facebook by museum owner Ken Kaplan, who had offered a $1,000 reward. “They’re back,” Kaplan proclaimed in …

TORRINGTON, CT – A midday fire heavily damaged the unoccupied residence and shop of late Indian expert George Yarocki. Firefighters from the Torrington Fire Department responded quickly to 679 Riverside Ave. and prevented three vintage motorcycles valued at more the $50,000 from being destroyed. Saved were a 1931 Indian 101 …

SOUTH BERWICK, ME – Reclusive author Robert M. Pirsig, who wrote the 1974 best-seller “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values,” died at his home here on Monday. He was 88. Pirsig had lived in the York County community for the past 30 years.

FALLS VILLAGE, CT – Celebrants of the Church of Two Wheels joined for an Easter gathering at Toymakers Cafe this morning. The non-denominational get-together was attended by many BMW, Honda, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha owners. Surprisingly, no Ducati, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson or Indian followers arrived – at least not …

BRIDGEPORT – A civil lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to “restrain and seize” the assets of 63-year-old motorcycle dealer Bruce J. Bemer and another man who are accused of being involved with a sex trafficking ring that prostituted mentally-disabled young men.

DANBURY – The owner of three motorcycle dealerships in southern New England as well as Waterford Speedbowl was one of three men arrested and charged this week for allegedly being a client of a prostitution ring that exploited young men with mental disabilities for more than 20 years. Bruce J. …

BRISTOL, CT – A recent management shakeup at Yankee Harley-Davidson here resulted in the installation of a new general manager and a new sales manager, and a vow by the dealership to “go back to basics” when it comes to the store’s relationship with customers. Jake Twombly has been promoted …

NAUGATUCK, CT – A mix of new and old motorcycles with custom and vintage cars attracted thousands to town this weekend for the first-ever Cabin Fever Custom Car and Motorcycle Show at the former General DataComm building, which has been turned into an event center. Show promoter Don Clady, publisher …

CENTER CONWAY, NH – After 28 years in business, Judy and Dan Kennedy are retiring “with mixed feelings” and closing Whitehorse Gear, the warehouse store and online seller of motorcycle gear and apparel. The business began as Whitehorse Press in 1989 as a publisher of motocycle books, including DIY manuals …

CRARYVILLE, NY – The annual open house planned for Saturday by Bultaco Motorcycles here has been abruptly canceled “with deepest regrets.” Tuesday’s blizzard is the reason. In a Facebook post today, Bultaco Motorcycles reported, “We have been brought to our knees by mother nature this late in the winter with …

OSSINING, NY – European Cycle Services (ECS) is merging with Hudson Valley Motorcycles with ECS President Stephen Saucier becoming service manager for HVMC. ECS’s technicians are joining the Ducati-Kawasaki-Suzuki dealership as well. ECS was started in 2007 in Middletown, NY and has specialized in performance upgrades and restorations for Ducatis, …

LANCASTER, NH – The MOMS chain of New England powersports dealerships is adding a fourth store. MOMS has signed a letter of intent to buy F.B. Spaulding Co., a Polaris and John Deere dealer that has operated in Lancaster since 1902. MOMS says the expansion will allow the store to …

Some news from dealers around New England (and beyond): – Cumberland County Scooters & Cycles in Portland, ME is now shooting for a mid-April re-opening after being severely damaged by a fire last June 22. No one was injured in that nighttime blaze at 341 Warren St. The business had …

Over the years, RIDE-CT & RIDE-NewEngland has written about many forgotten brands and obscure models. Not many folks today recall the Neracar or the Schickel from the U.S., the James or the Sunbeam from the U.K., or the Griffon from France. For every brand, though, there is an enthusiast. Dipping …