I am a sucker for three things at a car show: split window Stingray Corvettes, cars so weird they’re cool (like a Chrysler Ute), and just about anything air-cooled (VWs and Corvairs). Recently I spent the day at the Denton Arts and Autos Show in our hometown with the F-bomb on display. I was interested in seeing people and getting to talk about the bike and whatever else came up. Purely relaxing and fun Saturday, and it went just as planned after some rough starts.

Rain on the car parade

As an entrant, I was scheduled to arrive at 7:15 am on the bike. But there was a little bit of rain… ok, a lot of rain that morning. No matter, I would keep my legs over the velocity stack openings and ride up slowly in the precipitation. It made for a wet ride up, but then all reports predicted the rain would move out by 9 or 10 am. I stopped at the gate and parked the bike. Then I wandered off to find the donuts and coffee that the gatekeeper said were around the corner. I am still looking for those donuts.

It was still raining when I parked the bike on the East side of the courthouse and put the rubber velocity stack boots on to keep the water out. I then watched as a fantastic parade of mostly cars and a handful of motorcycles proceeded through the gates. Like all good car shows, there was a little bit of everything and plenty to get the attention of just about anyone. Seeing the F-bomb alongside classic hot rods and vintage vehicles, I realized I had brought a knife to a gun fight.

Talking to the gunslingers

Throughout the day I talked with folks holding ballots as they came by and asked me what class the F-Bomb was in.
Youthful admirer: “Did you build it?”
Me: “Yes, I did.”
YA: “Which class?”
Me: “It is in class W.”
Me: “Yeah, I have seen those kits from RYKA, but no, this is made by hand.”
YA: “For real?”
Me: “Yeah, for real.”

And so it went almost the whole day. It was great. I would take a break and go hang out at the Denton Independent Motorcycle Show booth. Or I’d walk around and take another look at a car I had admired and try to meet up with the owners. I also managed to make my way over to the Denton Speed and Machine booth. Lots of fun there with the one and only Sean Starr and the folks from Rebel Rouser Hot Rods, and some amazing vehicles that fit into my three favorite categories, as well as plenty of other great cars and people. The rain cleared up and the crowd got bigger. The conversation over the bike continued. It was a good day.

Any day where you get to talk with fellow lovers of things that are old and loved enough to be kept original or made new is awesome. Even when you bring a knife to gun fight, or a motorcycle to a car show.

Enjoy the photos. They are courtesy of Todd Rutland @shystiemclurksalot and Brent Brooks @twistedguy, some moto-friends who allowed me to use their photos from the event.

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