The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museums latest Traveling Road Show display was the annual large-scale booth at the Toronto International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW 2003, January 3,4 and 5. For this years display it was decided to make a noticeable split between Street motorcycles and Competition machines. Each were displayed on one side of the 30 x 70 foot layout.

On the Street side, we were very happy to feature the 1910 Merkel Light that had been graciously loaned to the Museum by its owner, Michael Tar, of Toronto Ontario. The Merkel has been in the family since new, and was only recently serviced back to running condition by Mike with the help of noted early-American Motorcycle restorer Tom Wilcock. As the machine was in generally good, un-restored condition, Tom kept the 90-year-old patina and only replaced the tires, servicing everything else, with out disturbing the rest of the bike as much as possible. It is incredibly rare, and was the oldest bike in the whole show. Many thanks to Mike for the loan of his featured bike.

1910 Merkel Light on loan from Mike Tar

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

1966 Russian 'ISH' with sidecar

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

Prominently featured in one corner of the booth was the 1966 Russian ‘ISH’, with matching sidecar. This rare, unrestored bike was originally brought over from the U.S.S.R to be displayed in the Russian pavilion as part of Expo ’67 in Montreal. After the event, it never made it back, and has remained in Canada. It is complete, running and all original. It looks really funky with the ’56 Chevy style fins and styling touches on the sidecar body.

Also featured on display in the street section were two beautiful NSUs that were kindly loaned to the Museum display by one of the Museum’s directors, Ed Vaillancourt of Oshawa Ontario. These were the 1955 LUX 200, and the ultra rare 1958 Super Max Scrambler. Both were immaculately restored by internationally recognized NSU specialist, Canadian Kurt Boeckman. Our thanks to Eddie for bringing these two out for all to enjoy.

NSU Lux 200 and Super Max Scrambler with owner Ed Valliancourt

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

1934 Scott TT Replica

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

The other street bikes in the booth consisted of; the newly acquired 1934 Scott TT Replica, 1948 Whizzer motorbike, 1951 NSU/Lambretta Scooter, 1951 BMW R51/2, 1953 Adler M200, 1966 Ducati Monza 250 and the rare 1997 Honda Dream 50 that was built as a tribute /replica to Hondas CR110 racer. All were courtesy of the Museums founder and chairman, Bar Hodgson.

On the competition side of the display, we had the Canadian Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke display, featuring his first Road Race bike, a 1985 Honda CBX 250, his first race leathers, which were actually borrowed from the late, great Mary McCaw, and a collection of photos of the early years. All were kindly loaned to the Museum by Jordan’s father, Bob Szoke.

1948 Wizzer Motorbike complete with all original documentation

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

1953 Adler M200

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

Next was the KZ1000 Superbike of Legendary Canadian racer and Hindle Exhaust System Company owner, Lang Hindle. This full, factory ‘S-1’ engined bike was one of the two bikes that Lang campaigned to win the Canadian National Championship in 1982. Recently fully restored to as raced condition, the bike was ridden by SUPERSHOW VP of sales, Peter Derry to win the VRRA Period 3 race at last years Vintage Festival at Mosport, setting a new Vintage lap record of 1.36.57 in the process.

The always popular Legendary Yamaha TZ750 display included photos of SUPERSHOW racing manager Ken Livingstone battling against Peter and the Hindle bike, and the racing leathers of last years ‘guest rider’ noted Motorcycle journalist Steve Bond riding the ‘beast’ to the win in the VRRA ‘Masters’ class.

NSU/Lambretta Scooter. Note all the Souvenir badges mounted on the front fender.

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

1966 Ducati Monza in virtually brand new condition

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

The Museums fabulous 1920 Indian Board Track racer, just back from being loaned to the AMA Motorcycle Museum, was a real attention getter. Museum staff really had fun pointing out the bare bones aspects of the bike such as no brakes, no clutch and only full throttle!

Other competition machines included the 1969 Triumph engined Dragster built by Doug Ratcliffe, 1986 Suzuki GSXR 750 raced by Gary Goodfellow, and the Aprilia 250 full Factory Grand Prix bike raced by Steve Crevier to two Canadian Championships. Once again, most of these machines were kindly on loan from the Museums founder and chairman, Bar Hodgson.

Jordan Szoke and his first race bike, the 1985 Honda CBX 250

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

The 1982 Lang Hindle Championship Superbike and SUPERSHOW VP Peter Derry holding the VRRA P3 Winners Trophy

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

The Museum also loaned several bikes to various SUPERSHOW Clubs and exhibitors such as the excellent condition 1980 CBX to the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group-Pine Ridge Section, the rare Honda RC30 to the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, the immaculate Norton Vintage road racer recently acquired from Ron Peter to the Avon Tire display, and the perfect little Yamaha TA 125 to the Vintage Road Racing Association.

Another wonderful feature of this years display was the loan of all the Vintage Road Racing Associations Mosport and Special Category trophies. This collection of truly impressive high-class trophies were a welcome addition. We were very happy to show them off to the largest gathering of motorcyclists in Canada. They are also scheduled to be put on permanent display soon as part of the Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museums competition display at the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in Toronto.

1977 Yamaha TZ 750 ridden last year by Steve Bond and SUPERSHOW Race Manager Ken Livingstone

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

1920 Indian Factory Board Track Racer

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

We also had two special guests in the Museum booth this show. Legendary Canadian racer Michelle Duff was on hand to talk to fans, selling autographed copies of her book’ Make Haste Slowly’, and Cycle Canada columnist and motorcycling ‘character’ Max Burns was there promoting and selling his new book, ‘On Any Wednesday’. Both had a great time talking to show attendees and the Museum volunteer staff.

As usual, we could not put on such an elaborate display of fine motorcycles were it not for the help of the Museums corporate sponsors and our dedicated volunteer staff. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all very much.

The Newly aquired Norton Vintage Racer, built and ridden by Ron Peter

Photo Credit: Paul McInnes

• The 2003 North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW for the great, high profile location.
• GES Exposition Services for the massive 30 x 70 top-level booth.
• Lange Transportation and Storage for enabling us to transport safely 18 valuable motorcycles and related materials.
• Showtech Power & Lighting for the hydro and special lighting that really make the bikes shine.
• AVW TELAV Audio Visual Solutions for the two TV/VCR units that enabled us to show some rare and classic videotape.

• Steve Palmer
• Robert Caldwell
• Oliver Bertin
• Ray Boileau
• Roger Burtnik
• Colin Langueduc
• Digna Ledda
• Paul McInnis
• Mark Rawlings
• Paul Taylor
• Greg Robb
• Ed Vaillancourt