Page 52 - Laconia Rally News 2018

THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE – IOWA
years. Merkel, Thor, Excelsior, Curtiss, Reading-Standard are among early American brands on display in the Museum, but Harley- Davidson and Indian motorcycles are best rep- resented. European mak- ers like Ducati, Moto- Guzzi, Parilla, BMW are here, plus British mar- ques such as Velocette, Brough, Vincent, Douglas and of course Triumph, BSA and Norton. Many of us got
One of the best
moments of a walk through
a motorcycle museum is
coming across an old leather
jacket or photo or a motor-
cycle that relates to your past
or that of a friend or family
member. The National
Motorcycle Museum has
almost 500 bikes and thou-
sands of pieces of memora-
bilia, toys and ad artwork;
some will likely “speak to
you.” At this museum, inter-
pretive exhibits built around
a fine collection of machines and historical objects are from around the world. And changing exhibition topics have included the custom bikes by Arlen Ness, drag rac- ing machines, land speed record streamliners, police and military bikes, plus motocross, enduro, hillclimb, board track and dirt track racing motorcycles.
our start on smaller Japanese machines from the 1960’s but even earlier as well as much newer Japanese bikes on display may remind you of your beginnings.
Most special Museum exhibits are in place one year and often include machines and memorabilia on loan to the Museum. In fact, since the Museum opened in Anamosa in 2001, most of the motorcycles in the National Motorcycle Museum have been loaned by supportive collectors. With each visit you’ll see some old favorites like Steve McQueen’s Indian Chief chop- per and Tom Reiser’s Chevy V8 drag bike, but some new features, too, like the famous Cal Rayborn/Dennis “Bub” Manning streamliner and Salt Ghost, a gritty Triumph dry lakes racer with a great history.
The mission of National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa, Iowa, is to preserve and present the great history of American motorcycling. Museum exhibits represent machines made everywhere in the world; machines we have ridden here in America for over 120
While the National Motorcycle Museum has, at last count, 498 motorcycles on display, what is really exceptional
about this museum is its memorabilia. Literally thousands of printed documents ike advertising posters, manuals, post cards, photos and even original paintings are on display plus riding gear and race trophies. The 600 piece toy collection includes tin and cast iron and some great and rare pedal cars. Over 60 19th and early 20th Century bicycles and early advertis- ing art are on display as well. There’s even a fully restored Shell Motor Oil service station in the Museum.
When you plan a visit know that the Museum is set in the beautiful bluffs of the Mississippi River and fine winding roads
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