Motorcycle enthusiasts have their own ‘dream cruise? event to look forward to ever year. Independence Township resident Roger Smith was recently invited to appear at this event, the Concours d’Elegance, hosted by the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
Smith, 56, is a retired detective from the City of Pontiac Police Department whose biggest passion is for motorcycles. He currently works as the public relations director for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club and has been building motorcycles for four decades.
‘I had my first Suzuki X-6 Hustler in 1966 and I can remember that I always loved things with motors,? said Smith. ‘My older brother had the Hot Rods and I fell for the motorcycles of the 50 and 60’s. I sold my motorcycles when I went into the army, but the first thing I did when I came home from the service was to buy another one. Over the past 40 years, we have owned over 60 motorcycles.?
Two of those motorcycles ? a 1996 Suzuki X-6 and a restored 1968 Triumph Bonneville ? will accompany Smith on a trip to Pickerington, Ohio to visit the hall of fame on Oct. 7. Smith’s motorcycles will be on display and judged based on quality and workmanship and , but the event is geared to praise not only the work behind the motorcycles but the passion of the enthusiasts.
‘Unlike many classic motorcycle showcases, our Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance doesn’t merely reward owners for investing time and money in an impeccable restoration. Our panel of judges is equally impressed by unique provenance, a passion for preservation and the story behind a machine,? says Mark Mederski, executive director, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and the head of the Concours selection committee.
‘The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is the country’slargest by-invitation-only showcase of classic and collectible motorcycles. Itis world renowned as having the finest motorcycles in America present for
judging. Only 100 motorcycles are invited from across the country to attend,? said Smith. ‘We were thrilled that both our Suzuki and Triumph were chosen
to compete?
This reward comes after alot of hard work however. Restoring classic motorcycles requires a lot of time and attention to detail.
Smith said the Bonneville was restored by world-renowned motorcycle builder Bill Hoard and recently took second place in at the Gilmore Museum Vintage Motorcycle Expo. Smith bought his Suzuki at an auction in Dayton and with the help of a friend rebuilt the motorcycle over the span of two years. Though the motorcycle has not won any awards as of yet, some people have taken notice.
‘During our restoration of the Suzuki, I noticed a picture in a magazine of Jay Leno, who has a world renowned collection of cars and motorcycles. In the picture, Jay was working on restoring the same Suzuki, even the same color, that we had just finished. I sent a picture of our bike to Jay at the Tonight Show address. We were surprised that, two weeks later, a letter from Jay came back with a signed picture of him working on the Suzuki,? said Smith.
‘We sent a ‘thank you? note to Jay and let him know that we were going to Las Vegas in a few months and had purchased tickets for his show at the Mirage. We heard nothing back from him until we entered the Mirage that show night and took our seats. Suddenly, I was tapped on the shoulder and a young lady asked if my name was Roger Smith. She took us behind the stage where Jay was waiting to meet us. We found that Jay and I were born in the same year, only one day apart, and we have many of the same interests. Since then, we talk on the phone about motorcycles, and we have become friends.?
Even with these accomplishments under his belt, Smith said he plans to continue doing what he loves.
‘We have just obtained a 1965 Honda CL77 motorcycle from an owner in Connecticut and we will be restoring it over the winter, with hopes to take it to shows next spring and summer,? he said.
‘Trying to find the needed parts is kind of like being a detective again. Searching for that 40 year old part, that will finish a rebuild, can be a real challenge, but eBay has made the search much easier.?
Smith has lived in Independence Township for the last 25 years with his wife Fran and his adult son and daughter – Roger and Jennifer.