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The One Motorcycle Show 2016

Well-loved race bikes, rare barn finds, and full custom builds from some of the best people in the industry.

February 23, 2016

Each person’s style is reflected in the bike they choose to show, and attendees get to see a collection of wildly different motorcycles all in one place. Well loved race bikes, rare barn finds, full custom builds from some of the best people in the industry, and some strange examples of creative engineering as well.©Motorcyclist

The One Motorcycle Show takes place every February in the famously funky Portland, Oregon. Now in its seventh year, it's grown from a local grassroots motorcycle show to a massive soiree drawing attendees and builders from around the world. One of the best parts about the event, however, is despite the quick expansion, it retains the intrinsic Portland feel while bringing over 100 motorcycles to one space. Curated but full of personality; like a well-restored motorcycle that still knows the thrill of the open road. See See Motorcycles dubbed the event the One Show to reflect the basis for display bikes- if you could only own one bike, what would it be?

The double turbo equipped Boxer Metal 1980 BMW R100 drag bike stole the show, winning the attention of onlookers and also the One Motorcycle Show Motorrad award (hand chosen by BMW). The gold metal flake tank with hand painted logo and pinstriping coordinated beautifully with other gold and brass details throughout. Exhaust and intakes curl together around the boxer engine like a snake coiling around its prey.©Motorcyclist

Ian Halcott’s lime green Yamaha R6 was both extreme and understated, if such a thing is possible. Icon 1000 awarded him with the “1000% Good” trophy, noting all the hand worked aluminum and perfectly distressed frame. Looks good, and rides better.©Motorcyclist

Salt Lake City based Bang Moto brought this 1979 Honda XL500 that stayed true to the spirit of its dirtbike heritage with a touch of class. Knobby tires combined with a high pipe exhaust keep it well equipped for handling off road riding, and the bright side-by-side headlights light your way.©Motorcyclist

Even in the chilly weather of February in Portland, the streets outside were filled with bikes rolling through to see the show. Moto folk trek in from all over the globe to see what the One Show is about. Above, Liz Horton snaps a photo with her vintage camera.©Motorcyclist

Blue Jack Studio’s 1964 Ducati 250 was a sort of barn find that Jared, the builder, came upon by accident. He wasn’t necessarily big into Italian bikes but couldn’t pass up the vintage. His rigid tracker stays true to Ducati history in essense, while bending the rules to keep it interesting.©Motorcyclist

One Down Four Up, from Redding, California, who won awards both this and last year, are a humble and talented pair.©Motorcyclist

ODFU’s idea of a good custom motorcycle is one that embodies both good design and function. Their 1978 Yamaha SR500 looks capable, comfortable, and fun to ride.©Motorcyclist

The Bend, Oregon local Spoken Moto 1970 Honda CL450 was a lean mean machine, sticking to an underlying scrambler theme this year. Gun metal gray and satin black tones over the whole bike give it a stealthy appearance, while the high mounted, unmuffled straight pipes probably give the parallel twin engine a nice purr.©Motorcyclist

W&W Cycles brought this old 1946 Harley Davidson VL45 racer all the way from Germany. The story goes that when they were bringing the bike through customs into the USA, they were told it wasn’t approved because of emissions standards. The owners responded something to the effect of “Emissions? You made this piece of junk!” Their bike Cannonball Knuckle brought home the “American Made” trophy.©Motorcyclist

Seattle based Twinline Motorcycles’ 1973 Yamaha RD350 cafe racer is more than just good looks. It’s a 2 stroke speed machine with style. The complementary line work on the body doesn’t end on the tank and the tail- from every angle it just works.©Motorcyclist

The leather embossed 1985 BMW K100 from Vintage Steele in Vermont- a pretty great example of a retro modern build. You’d never realize that it came from a plump touring outfitted beemer. Diamond stitched brown leather knee pads and seat coordinate nicely with the removable side bag. Bulky side covers were replaced with a streamlined metal plate, fork gaiters and dualsport tires blend in well with the black plastic on the engine.©Motorcyclist

Not all of the bikes were brought from far away places or full customs- this 2004 Yamaha Hillclimber was owned by Shane Donaca. Shane was a fixture of the Portland motorcycle scene for years- he passed away during a practice run while preparing for the Northwest Nitro Nationals Pro Hill Climb. Having his bike on display was a nice memorial for all those who cared for him.©Motorcyclist

Icon brought some weird (and awesome) with their raw 1986 Suzuki GSXR road warrior. Solid hubs and almost no shiny surfaces in sight, the Icon Motosports post-apocalyptic style lives on. Details include hand painted characters with text that reads, “die falsche flasche”.©Motorcyclist

Wiggling your way through the crowds of people which ebb and flow through each day and night, if you know who to look for, you’ll catch glimpses of notable builders, racers, and motorcycle industry big-wigs roaming around in the wild.©Motorcyclist

Another award winner- ‘El Taco Truck’ by Kickstart Garage from Northern California. The vintage BMW is equipped with a gator skin seat and matching green tinted headlight lens, while the sidecar rick was transformed into a motorcycle carrying platform. The vintage racing Bultaco that it usually carries is how it earned its name.©Motorcyclist

Thor Drake takes a moment to chat with friends in the crowd on busy Saturday night- one of the owners of See See Motorcycles, he is the main organizer and creator of the One Motorcycle Show. A racer, builder, and all around cool guy.©Motorcyclist

Each motorcycle at the One Show has a story to tell. Sitting in a spotlight toward the main exit was Josh Deardorff’s 1982 Honda CX500. With the rear portion of the frame hoop cut out and shortened, the lines flow much better even with the transverse engine a lot of people find oversized. It captures the spirit of the One Show- build a bike that makes you happy.©Motorcyclist

As the winner of the Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys bike giveaway is drawn, the air drumroll starts, smoke machine blows, and a sea of motorcyclists wait in anticipation. The giveaway bike appeared in earlier years of the One Motorcycle Show- a race bike build by Drake McElroy from Smoking Seagulls. A fella name Venkat went home extra happy that night.©Motorcyclist