This immaculate 1949 Indian Arrow won first place in the American category at the 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.
It was an excess of riches, a treasure trove of motorcycles and enthusiasts all gathered on the immaculate green grounds of the Quail Golf Course. The excess included almost 100 more bikes than last year, more tickets sold at the gate, and more stories shared. The 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering rewarded attendees with a wonderful cross-section of motorcycles, from 100-year-old boardtrackers to high tech electrics. Even the sun graced the event with a mid-afternoon blast of warmth. The cornucopia of collectibles definitely runneth over at the 8th annual Quail Gathering.
Craig Vetter made his first public appearance in 10 months since his accident at the 2016 Quail where the AMA awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award.
There were some undoubtedly rich characters at this year’s event, visionaries and legends mingling amongst the crowds. Reg Pridmore shared racing anecdotes in a casual conversation with Quail headmaster Gordon McCall. Flat tracker extraordinaire Mert Lawwill engaged in chats with everyone who stopped by his booth with a smile. Cliff Vaughs, a talented man of many hats including designer of the original Easy Rider bikes, civil rights activist, film maker and one of the coolest cats around, made a cameo appearance. The 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering also saw motorcycle visionary Craig Vetter make his first public appearance in 10 months since a motorcycle accident with a deer almost took him out of the game. Vetter was awarded the AMA Doug Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award, and rightfully so.
The judges had their work cut out for them with the high caliber of motorcycles at the 2016 Quail.
While you’ll have to wait for the full story on the 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering in a future issue of American Iron Magazine, here’s a few shots from the event to tide you over until then.
Keanu Reeves of Arch Motorcycle Co. talks shop at the 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.
There was no shortage of artistry in iron at the 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.
Cliff Vaughs, the man who designed the original Easy Rider motorcycles, made a guest appearance at the 2016 Quail Motorcycle Gathering.
