Motorcycle, auto parts swap shows set for this weekend

The pair of annual shows will take place at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield.

Motorcycle and car enthusiasts will be pulling into the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield this weekend for a pair of events that will get their motors running.

The Springfield Motorcycle Show takes place Friday through Sunday in the Young and Stroh buildings, while Auto Parts Swap n’ Sell is setting up shop on Saturday and Sunday at the Better Living Center.

The annual Springfield Motorcycle Show features bike builders, manufacturers and retailers in a one-stop shopping experience for active motorcyclists and future riders.
The retail show is filled with both new bikes of the season, as well as used models, the latest motorcycle parts for all of the popular brands, and all kinds of accessories. In addition, visitors will find riding gear and apparel in all colors and sizes.

Show manager Doug Sousa, whose Outdoor Sports Expo Group organizes the event, said he is excited about adding the Northeast Best of the Best Build-Off to this year’s show.

“The new competition pits four of the top shops in the Northeast against one another over three days as they assemble a motorcycle right on the show floor from frame to motor to tires and more. People can watch it all happen and vote for the winner of their choice,” said Sousa.

This year’s show also features two top television motorcycle stars, Mikey Teutul and Michelle Smith, who Sousa said are “the biggest draws ever to our show.”

“Kids and everyone like Mikey, the lovable character from American Chopper, and Michelle is probably the top television woman icon of the motorcycle industry,” said Sousa.

Teutul will be at the show on Friday and Sunday for photos and autographs and his original art will be seen in his display from his Wolfgang Gallery.

Smith, the former host of American Thunder, the longest running motorcycle show on television and who can now be seen on Two Wheel Thunder on Monday nights on HD Theater, will appear at the show and sign autographs and have pictures taken with fans on Saturday.

Sousa noted “hometown motorcycle tech guy and builder” Rich Pitoniak of Pitoniak Custom Cycles will be back for this year’s show. He has enjoyed international fame through his writings for “Iron Horse Magazine” and for the numerous photo shoots of his crown jewel Pain Killer.

Biker life-style artist John Guillemette, will also be on hand to display his oil-on- canvas paintings and portraits appearing in motorcycle publications such as “V-Twin,” “Easyriders,” “Hot Bike,” and others. According to Sousa, this year’s “first- time showing anywhere print” will be the Captain America Bike and visitors will be among the first in the biker community to have an opportunity to purchase the print.

For those looking to fix or restore a motorcycle, this year show again will feature a selection of new motorcycle parts and accessories, including the largest “rolling” new parts dealer in the world - All Out War Cycles – who will have parts, accessories and frames available for the builder-customizer.

Also returning this year is the Antique Motorcycle Club of America with some bikes of the past. The club will also display its Motorcycle Timeline, reminiscent of the one that has become world famous at their national show in Rhinebeck, New York.

And, there will be a display of historic Indian Motocycles, among some of the very first ever manufactured in the United States, built and developed in Springfield.

The show even features a main stage where visitors will be able to hear local singer Lindsey LaBelle perform her new hit song, “Who’s Drinking with Me Tonight?“ There will also be a Tattoo Competition where contestants can show off their most outrageous or conventional body art. The stage also plays host to the show’s biggest event – the Bike Competition Awards Ceremony. Judged by both the public and professional judges, the awards ceremony pays tribute to the owners and bike builders of the best motorcycles in the Northeast.

Also, while at the Springfield Motorcycle Show, a little building hopping will bring you to the annual Auto Parts Swap N’ Sell, featuring over one million parts and literature for antiques, street rods, race and competition classic cars and trucks.

From manufacturers and wholesalers to retailers and private sellers, shoppers can browse among a huge selection of high-performance parts and accessories both new and pre-owned, safety equipment, and tools and gadgets.

“This is our 36th annual show, no other show at The Big E has run longer than ours,” said Benjamin Dodge, one of the show’s organizers.

“What makes us unique is that we have become a gathering for auto enthusiasts from all over the Northeast, South and Midwest, who come to show their wares and trade and sell parts and accessories, some that you can’t even find on the Internet,” he added.

According to the show organizer, the event is about more than just swapping and selling parts, it’s also a “meet.”

“The show is a winter get-together where people discuss how their car restorations are coming along and what parts they need to finish them,” said Dodge.

And, you can buy more than just parts at the show. You can buy an entire car.

“We have a small car corral where visitors will find special interest cars driven in from across the country that will be for sale,” said Dodge.