VINTAGE BIKE OC NEWS

Huntington Beach, Calif. - Another perfect Sunday afternoon in So Cal, but where were all the bikes? Last month we had 50 bikes at the start, today we had 37 at the start and 54 total. But that didn't matter, we had a great meet with mostly vintage bikes.

BAM: Breakdown and Legal Assistance for Motorcyclists
Angel, a So Cal Marketing Representative for Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys spent her Sunday afternoon with us promoting their BAM program. Learn more about it at: www.RussBrown.com

Bike of the Month - Ernesto Quiroga

Congratulations to Ernesto Quiroga of Long Beach for winning Bike of the Month with his 1968 Ducati 350 Desmo Mark 3.

Ernesto won the Bike of the Month plaque provided by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys. www.RussBrown.com.

Ernesto has been winning Bike of the Month since I took over the meet back in 2007. This is his fifth time winning Bike of the Month, his previous victories are:
November 2018 1988 Laverda SFC 1000
May 2009 1961 Ducati 175 Sport
December 2007 1961 Aermacchi C 250cc
November 2007 1972 Ducati Desmo 450 SS

Read all about Ernesto's 1968 Ducati 350 Desmo Mark 3 on our Bike of the Month page.

Second Place - Anthony Dalia

Anthony Dalia of Huntington Beach took Second place with his 1985 Yamaha RZ350.

Unfortunately, Anthony (grey t-shirt) didn't stick around long enough for me to get a good photo of him with his bike, or even get any more information about it. Hopefully he'll bring it back, and I'll get a second chance.

Third Place - Baird Bergenthal

Baird Bergenthal of Midway City won third place with his extremely rare 1954 Monviso 50. Baird told me that Monviso only made bikes in Milano Italy from 1951 until 1956. He couldn't find any information on the 50cc version with the German made Sachs motor.

Everything on the bike appears to be original factory equipment. The inside of the gas tank and the cranks are branded Monviso.

Baird is no stranger to the group, although the bikes he brings are somewhat strange. He always has some sub 150cc ride to wow us with. He has won Bike of the Month three times in the past:
August 2021 1958 Hercules K100 J-Be
May 2021 1963 Batavus Bilonet
December 2014 1957 Moto Beta

Honorable Mention - Ken Upton of Garden Grove

Ken obviously doesn't know the trick to winning Bike of the Month. ONE BIKE AT A TIME! Ken was his own worst competition today by bringing three awesome vintage dirt bikes. Had he only brought one, he would have been close to winning.

Actually Ken told me he won, back at Massimo's before I took over the meet. I found the evidence with a photo from August 2004 of his blue Matise.

Ken told me that back then, the Bike of the Month winner had to make the trophy for the next month's meet. He was very proud of the trophy he'd made for the upcoming September 2004 meet. I also found a photo of that:

Ken Upton and Tim Graber (I believe), President of the So Cal chapter of the AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America)

Thanks to everyone for showing up and making this another great event. A special thanks to John Zindler for helping out with the voting today. Debbie and Tom Hopkins were unable to attend today, I look forward to seeing them again soon.

I'll see you all next month on October 10, 2021.

Keep On Ridin',
Joe Kagerer