Cool bikes for a hot summer

July 16, 12:50 PMMotorcycle ExaminerKen Bingenheimer

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A collection of unusual and rare motorcyles are on
display now at the Arvada Center through September 7.

The grandmother and grandson rushed excitedly from one classic, vintage motorcycle to another. "Come here, I want to show you grandpa's favorite." Nearly 40  old and rare bikes are currently on display at the Arvada Center in its Summer of Cycles exhibit.

"That bike is British, you can tell by the flag." They buzzed around some more.

The bikes in the exhibit belong to Henry Mathews and Jim Dillard.

"This one's more like a bicycle. Do you know what that is? That's a kick starter."

Finally, approached by the reporter, the grandmother, who declined to give her name but introduced her grandson, Alexander, bubbled with excitement. "I just got my license today!. I just bought a 150cc Vespa and my husband got a 250 Piaggio."

A 1970 BSA Rocket III and a 2005 BMW R1200GS.

Included in the exhibit are such classic bikes as a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow, a 1957 Aermacchi Chimera (Dream), and a 1950 Imme R100.

Also included are some newer but out-of-the-ordinary motorcycles, such as a 2006 Harley-Davidson VRXSE Screamin' Eagel Destroyer, which is set up for drag-racing. One newer bike that is striking in appearance is the Honda Valkyrie Rune, also on display. This bike was not a good seller and was only in production for a couple years earlier this decade.

Other classic bikes, in no particular order, included:

• 1958 Cushman Eagle
• 1998 Boss Hoss with a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet engine
• 1999 Harley-Davidson MT500 built for the British military
• 1956 Moto Rumi Formichino Little Ant 

A 1953 Moto Guzzi Galleto (Rooster) and a 1978 Laverda
Jota 1000.

"I think these are works of art," said the grandmother. "This is the fourth time I've been here. I was just picking up tickets here at the Arvada Center and I told Alexander 'You've got to come in and see this'."

The exhibit, in conjunction with related two-wheeling exhibits, continues through September 7. There is no admission fee and the Arvada Center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.