What the Judges look for...

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:13 pm

I helped organize a recent vintage bike show, got three local guys that really know bikes for judges...one a custom bike shop owner, one an upholstery shop owner and the third has tech. experience and does graphics. I put together a form that they used to judge the bikes...got me thinking. I've had "F" bikes in four different shows and come away with one 2nd. place trophy...I may put the 750 in the Barber VJMC show in Oct. What do the judges look for? or what can I pay atten. to for showing the bike? Cool

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:24 am

Depends on what type of show it is and what category you enter.. Vintage bike shows usually look for absolutely stock and the newer it looks the better. They're looking for show room new. Sometimes there are modified categories and they are looking for professional results and craftsmanship.

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:30 pm

I'm in trouble then...mainly cause the clear coat on the engine is 28yrs old and that keeps the bike from looking "showroom". Cool

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:35 pm

natscape wrote:

I helped organize a recent vintage bike show, got three local guys that really know bikes for judges...one a custom bike shop owner, one an upholstery shop owner and the third has tech. experience and does graphics. I put together a form that they used to judge the bikes...got me thinking. I've had "F" bikes in four different shows and come away with one 2nd. place trophy...I may put the 750 in the Barber VJMC show in Oct. What do the judges look for? or what can I pay atten. to for showing the bike? Cool

It was really nice of you to keep everyone on the forum up on the date of the show you just came back from? Yea right. Tattoo

CB1100F Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 3189 Location: Phoenix

natscape wrote:

I'm in trouble then...mainly cause the clear coat on the engine is 28yrs old and that keeps the bike from looking "showroom". Cool

I have a easy fix for that. Spray Armor All on your motor! It will make it look brand new. I do that to mine after every wash and besides the scratches, it looks fantastic. The first pic I took in the forum is without the Armor All. The second is with the Armor All and looks so much better. It is hard to see in the lighting, but is definitely a noticable difference. As a side note, it may smoke a small amount when you first start up, but is nothing to be concerned about. It is just burning off the excess and your bike isn't on fire, nor being harmed.

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:05 pm

Sol...thanks for the tip, I'm going to try it. Cool

CB1100F Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 3189 Location: Phoenix

natscape wrote:

Sol...thanks for the tip, I'm going to try it. Cool

No prob, I am here for you! Razz

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:22 am

Natscape, post a picture please.

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:11 am

These are pics taken at bike show over the week-end...I have sinced got the horns/cover on(worked 'til 5 o'clock in the morning before the show putting it back together)I have stock rear signal stays coming so I can put the stock rear signals on...need to run cables and tie down wires properly. Don't have stock mirriors. Need stock plug wires(will trade the Accel wires straight up for a set) But, everything else is now stock... Cool

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:36 am

natscape wrote:

But, everything else is now stock... Cool

don't forget that speedo cable Wink

looking good.

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:13 pm

You got good eyes Bikeboy...I did get the speedo back on also...I'm really happy with the paint...pix don't really do it justice. Cool

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:12 pm

I used to judge car shows, if anything is armoraled including tires, seats etc. your dead meat, tires are not meant to be shiney. Tires are meant to be clean, I use westlys' tire cleaner, no shiney crap.

Authentic parts, are a biggy, no custom fab. Clean under the bottom, anyone can clean the top, I would score a car that has an original bad paint job, much higher than a new paint job if it is showing as a original car.

Original is very important, and one that is rode/driven will also score higher, I hate trailer queens, that never get driven/rode.

Some Info about you bike helps in the presentation area, documents, sales stuff etc.

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:16 pm

I see a few things, no chain guard and the speedo cable loop looks wierd with no cable.

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:39 pm

ssdan, appreciate the input. I put a nos rubber cable hanger on the fender, now with speedo cable, have put chain guard back on(would really like a nicer one with the decal...) New spanking Dunlops so no shinny there...

Just waiting for rear signal stays for the orig. rear signals, have stock brake master cyl. and need stock plug wires...black carb. overflow lines, etc. again, really appreciate the assistance. Cool

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:53 pm

natscape wrote:

ssdan, appreciate the input. I put a nos rubber cable hanger on the fender, now with speedo cable, have put chain guard back on(would really like a nicer one with the decal...)

I haven't seen the chain guard decal around the usual sources, but the chain adjuster one is certainly available. Printed on foil. I can't remember what the chain guard one looks like anymore Crying or Very sad

Was that the "important information" one with the tyre pressures??

ian

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:16 am

natscape wrote:

ssdan, appreciate the input. I put a nos rubber cable hanger on the fender, now with speedo cable, have put chain guard back on(would really like a nicer one with the decal...) New spanking Bridgestones so no shinny there...

Just waiting for rear signal stays for the orig. rear signals, have stock brake master cyl. and need stock plug wires...black carb. overflow lines, etc. again, really appreciate the assistance. Cool

Cool!! awesome bike man!! beerchug

Looks great and looks ridden, I dig that!!

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:20 am

Those rear signals look like ZRX signals or Kawasaki of some type, I may put my ZRX ones on my F bike!