Classic Bike Experience returns to the British Invasion with British classics, race-ready machinery and more than a few stories from the track.
In this story:
- More Than 15 Years at the British Invasion
- This Year, We’re Bringing the Race Bikes
- CBE’s Three Amigos
- Old British Iron Meets New British Iron
- Come Find Us in Stowe
This weekend, Stowe becomes a celebration of British motoring and culture as the 35th Annual British Invasion rolls into town Friday through Sunday, September 18–20.
The three-day gathering is centered around what organizers describe as the largest all-British motorcar show in the United States, bringing hundreds of vehicles and enthusiasts to Vermont from across the U.S. and Canada.
And among all those wonderful British cars, Classic Bike Experience will once again make sure the motorcycles get their proper share of attention.
More Than 15 Years at the British Invasion
For more than 15 years, CBE has been something of a landmark at the British Invasion in Stowe.
Organizer Michael Gaetano has given us a primo vendor space essentially in the vehicle paddock, adjacent to the Class I machines: British Motorcycles. Over the years, there have been times when we’ve had more motorcycles under the CBE tent than there were entered in the show.
But the motorcycles are only part of it.
We also bring plenty of chairs.
That’s important, because the CBE tent has always been a place to stop, look over the machines and swap a few stories about back in the day. If you own an old British motorcycle, used to own one, raced one, wanted one, or simply remember the sound of one going past, chances are there will be something to talk about.
This Year, We’re Bringing the Race Bikes
This year there’s an added twist.
We’re bringing the CBE Norton Commando race bike, which many of you have been following throughout our first season of vintage racing.
And the Norton won’t be alone.
Two of our shop colleagues are bringing their race bikes as well: a 1967 Suzuki T500 Titan and a 1974 Moto Guzzi 850T.
That gives visitors a chance to see another side of the classic motorcycle world. These aren’t simply beautifully preserved machines intended to spend their lives sitting beneath a polishing cloth.
These are race-ready mean machines.
They have just come through a season of competition with the United States Classic Racing Association, better known as USCRA, where old motorcycles are still allowed to do what they were built to do: run.
CBE’s Three Amigos
Peter on the T500, Steve on the Guzzi and Griff on the Commando at our final race weekend at Loudon.
If looking at the bikes gives you the racing bug, be warned: ask us about our first season with USCRA and we’ll probably talk your ear off.
It has been one excellent adventure.
Old British Iron Meets New British Iron
We’re also hoping our colleagues from Cyclewise VT in New Haven will join us and bring along some of the latest Triumph machinery.
That should make for an interesting contrast beneath and around the CBE tent: restored classics, motorcycles that have returned to the racetrack, and examples of where the British motorcycle tradition is headed today.
Triumph. Norton. BSA. Race bikes. Restorations. New machines.
Different generations, but very much the same passion.
Come Find Us in Stowe
The CBE gang will be setting up Friday and exhibiting Saturday at the British Invasion in Stowe. If you’ve been before, it’ll be good to see you again. If you’ve never been, this is a terrific year to make the trip. Even Jack concedes that the machines with four wheels are pretty jaw-dropping.
The forecast is looking crisp and clear, Vermont foliage is beginning to do its thing, and we’ll have British motorcycles, racing machines and plenty of stories waiting for you.
And, as always, we have plenty of chairs.
Come find Classic Bike Experience and stay awhile.