The 3rd edition of the Sydney Classic Bicycle Show occurred last Saturday, the 28th March 2015. After three years, it’s a given that it will be a hot and humid day in the bowl of the Canterbury Velodrome, but one that brings together the largest congregation of bicycle aficionados and the most varied collection of beautiful bikes to be found in New South Wales.
We have to be willing to blur the lines when we’re defining ‘classic’ here: there are plenty of classic bikes represented but expect to see modern steel bikes also. It is concerning that steel naturally denotes classic, it’s well known that today’s tubing is comparable to other materials. Let’s not split hairs though, enjoy some of the bikes on display:
A true classic by Clapton’s Les Ephgrave:
F. Moser:
Hand painted Olmo badge:
Motorola Merckx:
A modified ‘Diamond Back’ tandem BMX:
Vintage Redline race BMX:
Immaculate Robinson cruiser:
Luis’ Kuwuhara cruiser that he rescued from a dumpster and lovingly restored. That’s the factory chrome. It’s amazing what some people throw away:
Ben from Cicli Spirito had his porter on display, coloured in a long-lost Alfa Romeo paint code. Drop by Cicli Spirito in St Leonard’s to see more of this, and enjoy an espresso. Opening hours are on his Facebook page, and you can keep up with news on Ben’s Instagram feed:
There were a couple of older Llewellyns on the lawn, with Darrell’s characteristic frog emblem…
…and also a couple of lesser known frames. This frame has JP Special embossed into the seat stay junction, but it’s not a JPS tribute. Any ideas?
New South Welsh builder John Kitchen was represented:
As well as the Bundy brothers. There were bikes that bore both Peter’s and his father’s, Jim’s, names, including George’s exceptionally modern logotype:
Cecil Walker, a legendary Victorian name, represented the southern state:
But one of the most prominent names at the show must have been Geoff Scott. The veteran builder must also have been one of the brightest names there, with hi-viz paint schemes on his modern fillet brazed Clamont frames. Clamont is a brand well known on Sydney streets and after a long hiatus, Geoff is back and again taking orders:
Here’s one Geoff prepared earlier, Henri’s funny bike. You can see much better photography on the Lorday Flickr album:
Sutto’s track bike:
One of my favorite bikes from the show, a highly-visible Jim Bundy road bike:
The Sydney Classic Bicycle Show was again a marvellous day. Thank you to all the organisers for putting on such a well organised show. You can view the hi-res versions of these shots on the The Spoken flickr album. See you next year!