2012 Quail Motorcycle Gathering - Video

                ---------------------

Enlist a highfalutin place like the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, California, sprinkle some exquisite, vintage, two-wheel exotica on its pristine, green driving range and voila, you’ve a world-class motorcycle show.

Twenty twelve is the fourth occurrence of this invitation-only event. Beginning with a 100-mile ride around the twisty, scenic back roads of Carmel Valley on Friday, participants also enjoy a few parade laps around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and end the day with an elaborate dinner.

Saturday’s spectators are treated to a plethora of machinery spanning the gamut from original condition to restored perfection and freshly minted customs. As much as the stationary bikes are a treat to behold, it’s the bark of Michael Schacht’s 2012 Crocker Big Tank coming to life, the unannounced scream of the two-stroke Yamaha TZ750 Kenny Roberts rode to Grand National glory or the sight of James Karrick tooling around the grounds on his unrestored 1914 Feilbach enthusiasts cherish.

In lieu of generalized Quail Gathering coverage (in short, it’s a great show you should attend and see for yourself) MO editors cherry picked a few key attractions from the event and let the owners speak to the value of their prized motorcycle and/or collection of motorcycles.

Gary Kohs’ assemblage of 71 MV Agustas is one of the most comprehensive post-war collections in the world. Here he talks about his 17-year collecting obsession and tells us about the championship winning 125cc Bialbero GP racer in original condition from the last time it was raced way back in 1954! He also talks about the equally rare 350 Scrambler and the upcoming sale of the entire lot at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August.

Winner of the FIVA Preservation Award, James Karrick gives us insight into starting and operating a nearly 100-year-old motorcycle. This Feilbach Limited is in original, unrestored condition and, while we didn’t capture the episode on camera, Karrick didn’t hesitate firing up the antique and riding through the Quail showgrounds.

Suzuki’s 497cc rotary-engine-powered RE5 is a rare beast indeed. Manufactured for only two years with a production run of approximately 6,500 units, it’s an entirely unconventional Japanese motorcycle model not often seen.

AFT’s CB836CR “Sentoh” didn’t win any awards at the Quail, but already gracing its mantle is the first place trophy from the Performance Custom Class of the 2011 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Special about the Sentoh and other AFT bikes is that they are constructed in part by the girls who also serve as eye candy for the company’s modeling agency...  we’ll let Shelby explain the details.

Ten years ago F1 racing legend, Dan Gurney, donated the first Gurney Alligator for permanent display at the Peterson Automotive Museum. Perry King was in attendance at the event and one of Gurney’s first paying customers. Troy Siahaan talks with King about the different model Alligators on display at the Quail event.

Editor-in-Snoop, Kevin Duke’s curiosity got the best of him and led the inquisitive moto-journalist to the show’s parking lot off the Quail’s manicured lawn. There he found this interesting Harley-powered supermoto bike created by TPJ Customs of Lodi, California.

2012 Circle of Champions

2012 Award Winners Best of Show 1974 MV Agusta 750 S owned by Simon Graham Cycle World “Elegance in Action” Award 1974 MV Agusta 750 S owned by Shinya Kimura Spirit of the Quail Award 1963 Royal Enfield Flat Track Racer owned by Ray Abrams Competition Sport Award 1974 MV Agusta 750 S owned by Simon Graham Design and Style Award 1941 Indian 841 Military Trans Verse owned by Clay Hudson Innovation Award 2011 Dan Gurney Alligator V-Gator presented by Thad Wolff on behalf of Dan Gurney Industry Award 2012 Crocker Big Tank owned by Michael Schacht Superbike 1. 1986 Ducati F1 Montjuich owned by Peter Richardson 2. 1986 Honda VF1000R owned by Brian Light Antique through 1940 1. 1912 Excelsior 61C1 Chaw Drive owned by James Riffenburgh 2. 1940 Indian Chief Police Special owned by Charles Syres Competition through 1978 1. 1957 Mondial 175 Gran Sport owned by John Goldman 2. 2006 BUB Seven Streamliner owned by Dennis Manning Custom/Modified through 2012 1. 1974 MV Agusta 750 S owned by Shinya Kimura 2. 1940 Indian 741 Scout owned by Jesse Bassett of The Gasbox American through 1978 1. 1947 Indian Chief owned by Gene Brown 2. 1937 Indian Four Model 437 owned by Bowman Motors Japanese through 1978 1. 1973 Kawasaki Z-1 900 owned by Damon Meek 2. 1970 Kawasaki 250 F4 Sidewinder owned by Jarvis Gross European through 1978 1. 1961 BSA Gold Star Clubman’s owned by Gene Brown 2. 1950 Triumph 6T Thunderbird owned by Gregory Beck Off Road through 1978 1. 1968 Rickman Metisse 441 owned by Blair Beck 2. 1966 Bultaco 250cc Metisse owned by Robbie Cadwallader Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge Award 2011 Hayes Diesel MD690R2 owned by Fred Hayes FIVA Preservation Award 1914 Feilbach Limited owned by Bowman Motors

For more information about The Quail, visit QuailLodgeEvents.com

Related Reading
Classic MV Agusta Collection to be Auctioned in Monterey
Cannon-Mounted Military Vespa Up for Auction
Vintage Bike Stash Found in Ohio
Saltarelli Classic Ducati Collection Up for Auction