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Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Report and Photos

1921 Indian 'The Harley Eater' DennisGray
1921 Indian \'The Harley Eater\'

Report and photos by Dennis Gray

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 was staged Saturday, May 4th at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California. A crowd of more than 2,000 enthusiasts and collectors enjoyed the more than 230 motorcycles from the pre- and post-war era on display during the fifth annual event. The daylong celebration of motorcycle heritage also honored special guest and racing legend, Wayne Rainey, for his contributions to the community.

This year, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering added the Legends of the Sport series, a new element designed to commemorate one seminal motorcycle figure each year. In addition to being honored at this year’s Gathering, Rainey’s 1991 Yamaha YZR 500 v4 500cc, a gift given to him by Yamaha Factory, took home the Best of Show honors.

The 2013 Quail Motorcycle Gathering featured a diverse selection of sports and racing bikes and included prominent figures such as Miguel Galuzzi, designer of the Ducati Monster and Motorcycle Hall of Fame riders Don Castro, Jim Rice, Mert Lawwill, Ray Abrams, and Cook Neilson. New motorcycle manufacturer, AVA Velocity Works debuted their 250 Swift motorcycle designed by Adrian Van Anz, presenting the bike for the first time at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. Additional winning motorcycles included the 1936 Brough Superior SS80 with Watsonian Side Car, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1957 Matchless 500cc Flattrack, 1952 Norton International Model 30, 1947 Harley Davidson Knucklehead EL, 1967 BSA Wasp, 2010 Tavax 2011V, 1970 Honda CB750 KO, 1919 Harley Davidson J Model with Sidecar, 1967 Triton, and a 1967 Harley Davidson KR, among many others.

One hundred motorcyclists also participated in the Quail Ride that took riders on a 100-mile route through Carmel and Salinas Valley back roads and onto the track of Laguna Seca Raceway. The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 concluded with the Tudor Circle of Champions awards ceremony. This year, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering Judges Committee was comprised of industry experts including Mert Lawwill, Paul D’Orleans and Somer Hooker.

Photographer Dennis Gray documented the 2013 Quail Motorcycle Gathering, offering the following picture gallery that shows the strong field of entrants at the Quail Lodge. We split up the 125 photos that Dennis captured into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite 30 images, all displayed in the full-width view of our website, while the second gallery (and event results) can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Top 30 Photo Gallery

 

Green frame 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sports
Ducatis on the grass early Saturday morning including a rare ‘green frame’ 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sports
500cc single 1957 Matchless Flat Track Racer.
500cc single 1957 Matchless Flat Track Racer.
BSA Gold Star
BSA Gold Star. BSA built the Gold Star from 1938 to 1963. They built both a 350 and a 500cc single cylinder version. The 500cc version was known as being one of the fastest ‘production’ bikes available. Hand built with a boat load of performance options each bike came with a documented dynamometer test result allowing the new owner to see the horse power produced.
BSA Rocket 3
BSA Rocket 3 – 750 cc air-cooled unit construction pushrod triple with four gears and conventional chassis and suspension
1956 75cc Caproni Trento Corsa
One of five built – 1956 75cc Caproni Trento Corsa
Velocette Venom Thruxton
Velocette Venom Thruxton – A 499 cc single made by Velocette at Hall Green in Birmingham, England.

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Top 30 Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Triumph TR5 Trophy Trail
500cc twin Triumph TR5 Trophy Trail. TR5 was a trials machine designed for off road use with a high two into one exhaust and good handling on public roads. It is a Triumph Trophy Trail bike that is often shown with James Dean.
Saturday morning a Ducati 749s arrives for the Gathering.
Saturday morning a Ducati 749s arrives for the Gathering.
1965 Ducati Mach 1
1965 Ducati Mach 1
Randy Grubb's custom modified bikes and transporter.
Randy Grubb’s custom modified bikes and transporter.
Randy Grubb's custom modified bikes and transporter. The front of the transporter is a White garbage truck cab the rest is custom built by Randy Grubb. All mounted on a GMC Motor Home chassis.
Randy Grubb’s custom modified bikes and transporter. The front of the transporter is a White garbage truck cab the rest is custom built by Randy Grubb. All mounted on a GMC Motor Home chassis.
One of Randal Grubb's aluminum bikes. You reach through those holes to the handle bars!
One of Randal Grubb’s aluminum bikes. You reach through those holes to the handle bars!

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Top 30 Photo Gallery Page Three

 

1969 BMW R60/2 with a Steib S501 side car.
1969 BMW R60/2 with a Steib S501 side car.
Early Saturday morning finds a 1969 BMW R60/2 with a Steib S501 side car on the grass.
Early Saturday morning finds a 1969 BMW R60/2 with a Steib S501 side car on the grass.
Friday morning found the tour riders and bikes on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track.
Friday morning found the tour riders and bikes on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track.
Friday morning found the tour riders and bikes on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track.
Friday morning found the tour riders and bikes on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track.
BSA Victor
The BSA Victor 441cc single. Weight was almost the same as the BSA 250cc single and almost 100pounds lighter the BSA’s 500cc single Gold Star resulting in a vast improvement in handling and acceleration over both the 250 and 500.
Norton Commando Mk.IIA
Norton Commando Mk.IIA

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Top 30 Photo Gallery Page Four

 

BMW R69S
BMW R69S
Triumph Daytona Special and Matchless Flattrack racer.
Triumph Daytona Special and Matchless Flattrack racer.
What ever this is I want one. Must be Italian?
What ever this is I want one. Must be Italian?
1921 Indian 'The Harley Eater'
1921 Indian ‘The Harley Eater’
Built by Noel McIntyre from a 1920 Indian Scout frame combined with a Powerplus 61ci big valve engine along with modified Indian Powerplus front forks. The shorter wheelbase, 36 horse power and a light weight of 285 pounds resulted in a quick bike that ruled the Southern Cal short tracks.
Built by Noel McIntyre from a 1920 Indian Scout frame combined with a Powerplus 61ci big valve engine along with modified Indian Powerplus front forks. The shorter wheelbase, 36 horse power and a light weight of 285 pounds resulted in a quick bike that ruled the Southern Cal short tracks.
How many pant legs have been chewed up in these gears?
How many pant legs have been chewed up in these gears?

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Top 30 Photo Gallery Page Five

 

1919 Harley Davidson 1 Model with Sidecar and patina.
1919 Harley Davidson J Model with Sidecar and patina.
1904 FN Four. This is the originator of the straight four motorcycle engine.
1904 FN Four. This is the originator of the straight four motorcycle engine.
1913 Excelsior Twin
1913 Excelsior Twin
1966 Velocette Thruxton
1966 Velocette Thruxton
500cc twin Triumph TR5 Trophy Trail. TR5 was a trials machine designed for off road use with a high two into one exhaust and good handling on public roads. It is a Triumph Trophy Trail bike that is often shown with James Dean.
500cc twin Triumph TR5 Trophy Trail. TR5 was a trials machine designed for off road use with a high two into one exhaust and good handling on public roads. It is a Triumph Trophy Trail bike that is often shown with James Dean.
1952 Norton International
1952 Norton International

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

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Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013 – Award Winners

 

Antique 2nd Place
1904 FN Four
The Margie & Robert E. Petersen Collection – California

Antique 1st Place
1936 Brough Superior SS80 with Watsonian Side Car
Stewart and Renee Garrison – Texas

Japanese 2nd Place
1973 Honda CB-350F
Leo Sowers – California

Japanese 1st Place
1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
Mike Kuykendall – Arizona

Competition 2nd Place
1981 Suzuki RG500 Mark VI
Philip Koenen – California

Competition 1st Place
1957 Matchless 500cc Flattrack
Michael Taggart – California

European 2nd Place
Capriolo (Caproni Trento) 75cc Corsa
Guy Webster – California

European 1st Place
1952 Norton International Model 30
Robert Ives – California

American 2nd Place
1960 Harley Davidson Super-Ten
Dana Miller – California

American 1st Place
1947 Harley Davidson Knucklehead EL
Craig Horner – California

Off Road 2nd Place
1974 Ossa 125 Phantom
Blair & Kathy Beck – California

Off Road 1st Place
1967 BSA Wasp
Gary Edwards – Oregon

Custom/Modified 2nd Place
2012 Decopod by Randy Grubb, “Bipod”
Jim & Debbie Christian – California

Custom/Modified 1st Place
2010 Tavax 2011V
Ken Tabata – Japan

Superbikes 2nd Place
1981 Ducati 500 SL Pantah
Carmen Lynaugh & Jeff Hecox – California

Superbikes 1st Place
1970 Honda CB750 K0
Don Stockett – California

FIVA Preservation
1919 Harley Davidson J Model with Sidecar
Mark Mitchell – California

Cycle World Award
1967 Triton
Jonnie Green – California

Champions Moto Significance in Racing
1967 Harley Davidson KR 750 TT
Fred Mork – California

Ducati – La Piu Bella
1999 Ducati Monster
Jimmy Kilroy – California

Ducati – Passione Rossa
2012 Ducati M1100 Evo
Syl Salenius – California

Minibikes
1962 Skat Kitty
Randall Smalley – Arizona

Industry Award
1977 Honda CB550 Custom
Michael LaFountain/Raccia Motorcycles – California

Innovation Award
2013 Decopod by Randy Grubb, “Tripod”
David Johnston – California

Competition Sport Award
1957 BSA Gold Star Flattrack
Larry Madrigal – California

Design and Style Award
1956 Ariel Square 4 with Watsonian Side Car
Stewart and Renee Garrison – Texas

Spirit of The Quail Award
1951 Vincent Black Shadow Series C
Bruce Canepa – California

Best of Show
1991 Yamaha YZR 500 v4 500cc
Wayne Rainey – California

[Source: Quail Motorcycle Gathering]