We had a Bloke in West London, His Bike was so Rough, He said nobody would nick it !, You have guessed it !. Cheers Bill.
Despite the pretense they make about "originality," the dirty little secret of all concours competitions is they only judge the exterior of a motorcycle. As for separating running bikes from empty crankcases, the internals of a bike could be a complete bodge and a bike will still run short distances so conducting a test like that only maintains the fiction that the competitions are selling. As any number of purchasers have found, all too often the interiors of great looking bikes are bodged together.Some motorcycle events I have been to that have a "concours" type award include a short run out from the venue. The judging is done when they return from the ride. Trailer queens and bikes with "empty crankcases" don't get into the judging area.
The concept of concours has indeed "evolved". Somewhere I have a picture of a chrome plated HRD that won the club concours. Originally the concept was used for modified and updated vehicles. That is now known as French Judging. Many shows have gone to objective criteria and shows that use it have awards with some credibility.I feel that a lot of people do not understand the meaning of "concours de-elegance". It was never intended to be for original factory bikes or cars. The translation "concours " a row or line "elegance" the most pretty. As part of the award for the most superlative motorcycle at Salon Prive , I was given a book called The concours of elegance. It chronicals the history of these events ,virtually all the big time winners were custom built.
In events I've judged we always make them start them. When I consulted on a bike for Pebble Beach, I told the owner we should ride it in. Guess who got to ride it in the dark . Setting of car alarms along the way.Some motorcycle events I have been to that have a "concours" type award include a short run out from the venue. The judging is done when they return from the ride. Trailer queens and bikes with "empty crankcases" don't get into the judging area. Maybe an inanimate motorcycle becomes an objet d'art?
Originality and polish do not interest me too much as keeping things going or making bikes better to ride are my priority.
Having said that I sometimes have to admire the attention to detail and the huge amount of time (and money?) some people spend on their creations.
Should have read we make them start them. They also must ride across stand.In events I've judged we always make them judge them. When I consulted on a bike for Pebble Beach, I told the owner we should ride it in. Guess who got to ride it in the dark . Setting of car alarms along the way.
Despite the pretense they make about "originality," the dirty little secret of all concours competitions is they only judge the exterior of a motorcycle. As for separating running bikes from empty crankcases, the internals of a bike could be a complete bodge and a bike will still run short distances so conducting a test like that only maintains the fiction that the competitions are selling. As any number of purchasers have found, all too often the interiors of great looking bikes are bodged together ..