Up To Speed

GREENFIELD, MA – Moving to a new venue always brings uncertainty and presents kinks that need to be worked out, but load-in day on Friday at the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s National Meet appeared to go smoothly. The new location at the Franklin County Fairgrounds …

BRIDGEPORT, CT – It’s keeping a low profile until all the set-up work is completed, but motorcycle gear and apparel purveyor Union Garage this week quietly opened its new flagship retail showroom at 162 Elm Street in downtown Bridgeport. It was roughly six weeks ago that Union Garage announced plans …

WATERBURY, CT – It’s a short video produced by Doc’s Motorcycle Parts and posted Tuesday on YouTube that every rider needs to watch, if only to gape. Not only is the story amazing in several respects, it’s also a reminder that the warning “let the buyer beware” is always wise …

IRVINE, CA – It’s minimalist, lightweight, relatively low-priced but also a bit lacking in range. Yet there’s something intriguing about the inaugural Anthem model from new electric motorcycle manufacturer Ryvid. Maybe it’s the bike’s bare appearance or maybe it’s the bike’s functionality. Due to be launched Aug. 14 by the …

THOMASTON, CT – A grant from the Yamaha Motor Co. to the Newtown, CT-based Pathfinders Motorcycle Club for equipment needed to maintain the riding trails behind Thomaston Dam that have been enjoyed by dirt bikers for decades gave the club members the chance to show off their volunteerism on Saturday. …

It’s another edition of Oil Drippings, the catch-all post for recent items from near and far that maybe don’t warrant a stand-alone story or, ahem, got overlooked at the time of release. Here goes: Auction To Offer 150 Bikes, Plus Parts, Etc. An auction of the contents of Jim Hoellerich’s …

REDMOND, WA – Within a week or so, Ural Motorcycles is expected to begin shipping new models from Kazakhstan after moving assembly of its sidecar rigs out of Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine. “If everything goes well, we expect the first shipment of bikes from our new assembly …

MONSON, MA – Motorcycles and other motorized vehicles will once again be struggling up the “Monson Monster” after the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday night overturned two town-issued cease and desist orders forbidding hill climbs staged by the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club. The prohibition on hill climbs, which have …

MONSON, MA – Fearful of another postponement if too many protesters attend a rescheduled Zoning Board of Appeals meeting here tonight, the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club is now asking supporters to show up but to disperse before the meeting starts and to not observe the proceedings. While the club is …

HARWINTON, CT – The exhaust notes produced by a motorcycle as it passes by can often reveal the identity of its manufacturer, or at least provide clues. It was while weeding the flower beds in my side yard this morning that I heard what sounded to be something old and …

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Great Cape Baking Company is no longer open as of early November 2023.) AMENIA, NY – Show me a motorcycle rider who isn’t always on lookout for a good place to eat and I’ll show you a rider whose bike is parked more than it’s ridden. Frequent …

WESTFIELD, MA – Sometime in late summer or early fall, Indian Motorcycle of Springfield will get new quarters for its showroom and collection of vintage Indian models. The dealership will move roughly a half-mile north of its current location to 1120 Southampton Road (Routes 10/202) in Westfield. This will allow …

MANCHESTER, N.H. – MOMS has made another acquisition; this time gobbling up Team Woody’s Performance Center in Topsham, ME. The MOMS chain now owns 10 stores in four New England states. Team Woody’s Performance Center sells Yamaha and Polaris products. It was founded in March 1997 by Keith and Florence …

It’s another edition of Oil Drippings, a compilation of recent news items from near and far that have insufficient heft to get a stand-alone post: GWRRA Shutting Down After 45 Years The Phoenix-based Gold Wing Road Riders Association, which was founded in 1977 and once boasted more than 80,000 members, …

MONSON, MA – The showdown over the shutdown of hillclimbs staged by the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club is now getting national attention. The Ohio-based American Motorcyclist Association is throwing its weight behind the club’s effort to get the town to relent and allow hillclimb races that date back to 1945 …