There are plenty of antique motorcycle shows and less formal motorcycle swap-meets taking place on any Sunday around the country, and then there is the Perkiomen National event, most commonly known as “Oley.” Just antique motorcycles, along with very few antique motorcycle-related items, are on view here. Simply put, Oley is “the” antique motorcycle event.
Buyers come from Europe and all around America to shop this show. Vendors come from all over the country.
There are thoroughly rusted, tireless treasures on view (if anyone wants the seller’s phone number for the one pictured, give me a call) and then there are perfectly restored examples of Harleys, Excelsior Henderson, Pope, Sears, Jefferson and, naturally, Indians. There is also a growing contingent of Brit bikes that make up the latest acceptable vintage scoots; classic 1960s Triumphs were plentiful at the show, and this year there were even two “black” Vincents.
The Perkiomen event started as a weekend event at the Oley Fairgrounds, always conducted the last week of April, most recently over the weekend of April 30 and May 1. But if you wait for Saturday, you will have missed out on the bigger picture.
À la Brimfield, Oley has progressed into a true multi-day event. It used to be that those showing up on Friday were treated to first-dibs. Not any more. Thursday shopping is now in vogue and the word is that Wednesday afternoon/evening shopping, although frowned upon by the club, is being looked upon with a blind eye.
A plethora of parts are available in bin after bin and milk crate after milk crate †covering the entire gamut of brands, years, and types of parts †repro, NOS or well-used. Naturally, true motorcycle enthusiasts are not satisfied with bikes and parts alone; there are all of the go-along items such as vintage clothing, memorabilia and toys by the likes of Hubley, Lehmann and Marklin.
The Perkiomen group and its market’s location is just a stone’s throw from the Reading Motorcycle Club, America’s oldest cycle club, incorporated in 1914. While Wisconsin may be the home of Harley-Davidson and Springfield, Mass., was the home of the defunct Indian factory, the Reading area is the heartland of those who love the early bikes.
Some of the treasures seen this year: a 1931 Indian in-line four-cylinder in great grungy, paint-peeling original condition; a 1914 Pope in “weathered” original condition that had previously been featured as a centerfold in a biker magazine; and an early Excelsior Henderson, one of several bikes that displayed a plate from the 2010 Pre-1916 Motorcycle Cannonball Cross Country Endurance Run (race).
For further information, contact the Perkiomen Antique Motorcycle Club, 7 Pine Lane, Douglasville PA 19518, or call 610-385-4451.
