What is it?
The Classic Bike Corral is a vintage motorcycle swap meet hosted by the Guild at the Classic Bike Experience (CBE). This unique event aims to create an Intern Scholarship Fund to support young, local mechanics in training. Join us for a day filled with passion for motorcycles and community spirit!
When and Where?
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 21st, at the Classic Bike Experience in Essex Junction, Vermont. The event runs from 10 AM to 3 PM. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with fellow bike enthusiasts to buy, sell or simply ogle some vintage motorcycles at the Classic Bike Experience.
How Does it Work?
If you’re interested in displaying your bike at the event, here’s how to get involved:
- Contact Jack Manning, the owner of Classic Bike Experience, to discuss your bike and ensure it’s a good fit for the event.
- Send us a set of good photos along with a short write-up that includes:
- Make, model, year
- Known history of the bike
- Condition to be the best of your ability
- Asking price
- Available documentation to support the sale
Jack is here to assist you with any of the above details. We can even help you get your bike sorted and running, although labor fees and parts costs may apply.
The Classic Bike Experience will promote your bike on our website, through newsletters, social media, and press releases. Remember, proceeds from sales will benefit the next generation of “Young Guns” in our motorcycle world. We operate on an honor system with a 10% consignment fee if you sell your bike at the event or later through a contact you made.
About The Guild at CBE
Since opening in 2008, the Classic Bike Experience has fostered a community through our companion organization, The Guild. Members work on their own projects at their own pace, supported by fellow enthusiasts. Over the years, we have partnered with local schools, including Essex Tech Center, Bellcate School, Mt. Mansfield Union High School, and CVU High School, to host local interns.
Additionally, we’ve conducted “Tinker Time” events at Rock Point School in Burlington, where middle school students learn hands-on skills by taking apart old lawn and garden equipment under the supervision of our experienced team.
About our Interns
Our intern program, which began in 2018, has already produced remarkable alumni:
- Kolbi from Hinsburg is now working at an auto dealership
- Quin and Jake, both graduates of MMU/Essex Tech, went on to enroll in Audi training program in Virginia
- Inayat is now a machinist in Plattsburgh
- Griffin is now a tech at Cyclewise in Vermont and graduated from Ducati tech school.
- Quin, a senior at CVU, is working for us part time before heading off to an automotive program in the midwest later this year.
More than just getting greasy
Our interns become part of the extended CBE family, gaining skills beyond mechanics, including:
- People and customer skills
- Project management
- Quality assurance and attention to detail
- Confidence to ask questions and admit mistakes
- Create positive references for future job and school applications
- Good communication and accountability skills
Use of Funds
The funds raised from the Classic Bike Corral will provide seed funding for an ongoing scholarship program for local interns. These funds will help cover their salaries and insurance expenses at the shop, and we plan to utilize some of this funding for matching grants through state agencies.
Join us at the Classic Bike Corral to celebrate vintage motorcycles and support the next generation of mechanics! We look forward to seeing you here!