The One Motorcycle Show

By Scott Araujo

For the last four years, Portland, OR has held The One Motorcycle Show. This is the most unique motorcycle show I've ever attended. I've been to it for three years now and it gets better every year. There is no "theme," there are no rules, there is absolutely no pretense. It's a show by motorcyclists for motorcyclists. From The One Motorcycle Show site:

The One Motorcycle Show was born from the idea that every bike was built, restored, or preserved for a reason. The One Motorcycle Show is not about rules or pre-conceived notions because their is no right or wrong way to build a bike. It’s about motorcycles with a purpose and a story. It’s the opportunity to get rare, weird, old, new, and all around amazing bikes together in one spot. It’s one-off concepts, and pristine-better- than-showroom classics. It’s the old and new generations getting together to celebrate the One motorcycle. We’re a community on the search for the ultimate truth of mechanism and it’s essential one-ness.

You will see bikes of all makes and from every category you can think of, and some you've never thought of. There are amazing bikes to see, motorcycle art of all types, and food and drink from local places. Concours-ready restorations sit next to daily driver rat bikes, and an over the top show bike is one slot over. Mirror chrome right next to rust and patina, sometimes on the same bike. Admission is free.

I love this show because it's not cookie cutter. There's generally a loose organization to the floorplan. The show is all about getting together with other riders to appreciate bikes and the builders who create them.

If you're ever in Portland, OR when this show is on you should stop in. If you're anywhere close it's worth the trip. Here is just some of what was at the show.

Cool bike with Yamaha RZ350 front suspension

A wickedly cool prototype single sided leading arm front suspension on this Yamaha RZ350.

Very small six-cylinder motorcycle engine

The tiniest little six cylinder moto engine you've ever seen. That's a mini fridge in the background for scale.

1938 Zundapp K800

Custom stretched Honda 90.

A Buell engined super moto from TPJ Customs. This bike is a very clean machine in a very tight little package.

Two beautiful vintage BMWs.

Super clean BSA.

Clean and minimal Honda cafe racer.

Beautifully dirty Ducati single cafe racer.

This has got to be the coolest bike I've ever seen with an American V-twin.

Old school chopper.

New school bobber with a Yamaha twin motor.

The tank and angles on this bike were really original.

Old school chopper with balloon tires.

I love the mix of old and new school on this Honda.

Super clean cafe bike.

And another.

I love that this bike has a pressed steel frame...

and an old school helmet bubble repurposed as a fly screen.

Great hand built, square edged tank.

Old dirty bike with a gleaming tank.

A whole row of clean Honda cafe bikes.

Honda 125 with a NOS tank up front.

Streamlined dream.

An old Mondial.

This is a Klaussman "scooter", it's bigger than a refrigerator.

The tail light and pipe are a design study all on their own.

1966 Royal Enfield Interceptor. Yeah, it's a blurry pic but I've got a soft spot for Enfields.

A beautiful Ariel Square Four.

Another gorgeous vintage Ariel with a girder front end.

Dark, clean street fighter.

A whole row of gleaming, vintage Kawasaki triples.

Classic Italian machines.

Micael Czysz is a local hero and this is the prototype Moto GP 990 motor he designed and built. It has two counter rotating crankshafts to eliminate the gyroscopic forces created by the motor and allow the bike to handle better. It makes around 200hp and is only 6" wide. This is the first time this cutaway model has been displayed outside the MotoCzysz shop.

The MotoCzysz motor from the front.

The fully assembled MotoCzysz motor.

V8.

Very clean Virago cafe bike.

And another.

Custom motorcycle with amazing metalwork

The metal work on this bike just defies description.

Really clean Honda cafe in black and white.

Another clean Honda cafe with balloon tires.

I love the juxtaposition of the modern aluminum frame with the vintage tank and "custom" seat upholstery. Those are original Oakley B-1B BMX grips for anyone keeping track.