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Northwest Motorcycle Museums

Where to find the old bikes

As it is in any metropolitan area in the U.S., the Northwest has its share of antique, collectable motorcycles. Finding them is another story.

If you’re new to motorcycling you may already know the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts have a club full of old bikes, but you only get to see a few of them the first Wednesday of each month at their monthly meeting. So what else is out there?

If you dig around a bit you start to come up with some collections that are on display permanently.

Above - The Trev Deeley museum in Vancouver, BC, has an extensive of old bikes.

I’m not talking about the Smithsonian Institute, rather some local collections. However while we’re on the subject of the Smithsonian I will point out that on a visit a few years back I was truly disappointed with the fraction of their collection that was on display – about 9 bikes in all and not all in the best condition. Curators know the Smithsonian has a deep collection of old iron, but due to limited floor space the public never gets to see it.

The reason I bring this up is that locally you can go for a day long ride from Chehalis to Vancouver and see a far better collection of bikes than the Smithsonian will ever have floored at one time.

There are many who have longed for a permanent home to show their collections around the Northwest. Pacific Northwest Museum of Motorcycling, the yet to surface Pioneer Motorcycle Museum and even the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts have yet to come up with a location to show their collections on a permanent basis. So who is?

Our first stop is Chehalis where we find the Vintage Antique Motorcycle Museum. Inside you’ll find plenty of old Iron, mostly American and British. The museum is a two story unique collection that features original and fully restored Pre-1916’s including Indians, Harley-Davidsons, Excelsior, Pierces, Emblem, Thor, Henderson, Sears, Yale, Reading Standard, plus a Neracar, Imp Car, and an assortment of antique bicycles, including an example of the first American-made bicycle from the 1800's. Beyond the 1916’s you’ll find some one-of-a kind models and even a sidecar or two.  The museum was founded by local rider and mason, Frank Mason.

Northward in Auburn, Ron Orr shares his delightful collection of Japanese bikes dating back to the 50’s. Orr’s collection is all top of the line restorations from all the major Japanese manufacturers and a few ill-fated ones as well. You’ll find the collection upstairs in the Hinshaw’s Motorcycle Store just off SR167 and SR18.

In Renton Bob Lanphere shares an extensive collection of Japanese and British iron. Housed in the back mezzanine on the Renton Motorcycles, RMC store the collection can be viewed from below, but if you’re nice and ask a salesman for a peek, you may be invited to go upstairs for a closer look. Lanphere has been riding since before you were probably born and has amassed a fine collection of bikes over the years including Triumphs, Bultacos, Hondas Suzukis and more. All are in tip top condition.

In Mt. Vernon the Deaton family shares a few of their favorites at this Maryott’s Honda motorcycle store. A few rarities cycle along the south wall of the store. Always worth a look.

Finally, my favorite place to look at bikes locally is just a hop skip and border crossing to the north at the Trev Deeley Motorcycle Museum in Richmond, British Columbia. The museum has more than 250 bikes on display at any one time with more than 51 labels under one roof! Admission is free, but beware that the venue has limited weekday hours so please call before you go. A private showing on a weekend for your group or club can usually be arranged in advance. Although the admission is free, donations are strongly suggested. SR!

PT/Winter 04

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