The 8th Annual Antique Bikes on Main- July 28 & 29, 2012
"Always the Last Weekend in July"
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"Always the Last Weekend in July"
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Sponsored by the City of Chesnee,SC and Northeast Area Council of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce
Since 2005, Chesnee Classic Cycle has been home to the annual Antique Bikes on Main rally. All kinds of motorcycles and enthusiasts come in a real downtown venue.
The free Swap Meet on Saturday & Sunday gets bigger and better every year. Clean out your spares, find what you need to fix your bike or buy another one!
Saturday's Prayer Ride tours the area before coming back to Chesnee for Christian music and fellowship into the evening.
Sunday is the official Antique Bikes on Main event, when main street literally fills with vintage bikes of all makes and models. Not everyone rides a Harley. Come look for the Norton 750 Commando, Honda 400 Four, Ducati 250 Mach 1, Benelli Riverside, Hodaka Combat Wombat or whatever YOU used to ride. Maybe you still have that old Panhead or 750-4 Chopper. Bring it out. It doesn't matter if it is a perfect restoration or a flogged, worn out "great old bike" that needs everything. Gasoline Alley hosts all varieties of race bikes on Sunday, with legendary tuners and racers mixing in the crowd at past years. Any race bike is welcome- dusty, dirty, running or not, from a dirt bike to a two stroke drag bike to an AHRMA or AMA roadracing bike. Somebody will love to see it and share stories that usually start with, "I remember the time when I...." As always, it's all free for attendees and participants- NO admission, registration or fees to participate with your bike or bikes. Just bring it out, park it and have a great time.
It's motorcycle parking only on Main Street, especially on Sunday with designated areas welcoming motorcycles of specific vintages. If you come on four wheels, with or without a trailer, there's plenty of parking on the side streets around back.
Visit Chesnee's famous Bantam Chef for a Chili Cheese-a-plenty while you tour the display of 50's era motorcycle and automobile memorabilia. Other Chesnee Restaurants, including One Fish Two Fish Pizza House, Turner's Restaurant and El Limon offer a variety of menus with event vendors adding festival food to the options.
Visit the link below to take a quick video tour of a recent Antique Bikes on Main with Big Al and Haley on Fuel TV Inc,
http://www.bigalandhayley.com/html/episode_42.html
You never know what kinds of bikes you'll see. You never know who you'll meet. Bring your bike, even if it doesn't run or look pretty, and help make Antique Bikes on Main even better this year. This isn't a TV show or high-dollar performance. This family-friendly event is for people that love bikes. It's guaranteed to be hot in South Carolina in July, but Antique Bikes on Main is worth the trip!
Chesnee Classic Cycle is happy to announce the first-ever Motor Maids on Main to be held Tuesday July 10, 2012 at 7:00PM in downtown Chesnee to help kick off events leading up to the 8th Annual Antique Bikes on Main. The Motor Maids were formed in 1940 and are the oldest female-only motorcycle organization in the USA. The 2012 Motor Maids National Convention will be held in nearby Spartanburg, SC this year. All attendees MUST ride to the convention to participate- no trailers parked out back or down the street. Chesnee Classic Cycle is honored to be chosen as the official support shop for the 2012 Motor Maids National Convention.
For their official convention parade, the Motor Maids will make a short tour of downtown Spartanburg before riding together in full dress to meet Chesnee Mayor Max Cash at the intersectioin of Interstate 85 and SC 221. On his motorcycle, Mayor Cash will ecsort the Motor Maids into Chesnee to parade through town before parking along Main Street for an evening of motorcycle fellowship. As of May 1st, we are already anticipating 250 to 300 women to participate. Come out and meet the Motor Maids and find out more about their fantastic organization during the first ever Motor Maids on Main.
All true vendors (food and new items), as determined by Antique Bikes on Main officials, will be required to complete a Vendor Form (above) and submit payment,
All checks are to be made payable to Northeast Area Council.
Check in at Event Headquarters Tent in front of Chesnee Classic Cycle at 102 East Chester Street to fill out a form for consideration when you arrive if you do not pre-register or to be shown to your approved spot.
We do our best to welcome all parties, but are not accepting applications for any person(s) or group(s) that do not contribute to the family-friendly atmosphere of Antique Bikes on Main. Please help us keep this event a positive experience for all in attendance. As a generously-supported public event with no admission fees, we cannot allow vendors offering anything such as adult magazines or similar content products, gang paraphenalia, illegal or illicit items or content.
All decisions by Antique Bikes on Main officials are final.
Our Swap Meet is FREE!- NO admission, parking fees, space fees or tricks. Sellers are only required to register by completing a vendor form (above). Check in at Event Headquarters Tent in front of Chesnee Classic Cycle at 102 East Chester Street to fill out a form when you arrive if you do not pre-register or to be shown to your approved spot.
The Swap Meet officially begins on Saturday morning, within the designated area. No power or water hookups are available. Space is available on a first come, first serve basis. We do require sellers offer motorcycle-related & family-appropriate items- no adult magazines, gang paraphenalia, illegal or illicit items or content, please. Any such items and responsible parties will be removed without exception.True vendors will be set up in other areas. All decisions of Antique Bikes on Main officials are final.
The City of Chesnee, Northeast Area Council and area residents generously support Antique Bikes on Main so we need everyone to help us keep it a great time. bring out your bikes, parts and goodies- any condition, any brand, any vintage.
The 2nd Annual Prayer Ride will meet at the Chesnee United Methodist Church, with kickstands up at 1PM! Don't be late!
CUMC address is 409 South Kennedy Street Chesnee SC 29323, located behind Turners Restaurant or one block northeast of traffic light at the Bantam Chef. Arrive early to get in line and fellowship with others for this great ride throughout the area. Riders will stop at multiple churches along the route to service prayer requests offered by participating churches. Join us as we share our compassion and grow the church of Jesus Christ with our neighbors.
Riders will return to downtown Chesnee for Christian Music and Fellowship into the evening. Come and relax in our beautiful small city.
Contact CMA Ben Godwin (828) 280-6984 or Paul Conner ((864) 505-4829 for more information about the Prayer Ride.
Downtown Chesnee and Antique Bikes on Main is located at the intersection of SC 221 and SC 11.
GPS address- 102 East Chester Street Chesnee, South Carolina 29323. East Chester Street will be closed on Sunday, but GPS will take you to within 50 feet of Chesnee Classic Cycle.
From Interstate 85- Take Exit 78 in Spartanburg to SC 221 North. SC 221 becomes South Alabama Avenue- which is our Main Street- as it passes through Chesnee. You can also take Interstate 85 Exit 92 in Gaffney to SC 11 and travel west for the scenic ride. After passing the Cowpens Battleground National Park, turn left at second traffic light and you have arrived at Antique Bikes on Main.
From Interstate 26- Take Exit 18 onto I-85 North in Spartanburg towards Charlotte, then follow directions from Interstate 85. You can also take Interstate 26 Exit 5 to SC 11 and travel east for a great ride. When you cross the railroad tracks, you're in Chesnee. Turn left at first light and you have arrived at Antique Bikes on Main.
If you get onto Interstate 85 Business North, Exit 78 to SC 221 is the first exit after you merge back onto Interstate 85 North. Then follow the directions listed above From Interstate 85.
These area motels welcome Antique Bikes on Main attendees, with discounts and special packages. Be sure to mention Antique Bikes on Main when making your reservations. Some have limited availability and/or cut-off dates for reservations, so plan ahead.
Antique Bikes on Main Rate $79.95. The property is 14 miles from Chesnee, SC. This property offers complimentary breakfast. Proposed rooms have mico/fridge, iron and board, coffee pot.
Proposed rate for the Antique Bikes on Main is $89.99 for King Suites. This property is 15 miles from Chesnee. This property is a totally smoke-free hotel, the rate would include hot breakfast buffet each morning and also includes wireless internet, outdoor pool and hot tub and fitness center.
This property proposed a rate of $89.00 per room per night plus tax for King rooms. Rate does NOT includes breakfast. Cut off date is July 5, 2012 for this rate.
Hampton Inn & Suites/Summit Pointe Conference Center 801 Spartan Blvd. Spartanburg, SC 864-699-2222
$103.00 plus tax for non smoking queen/queen room $107.00 plus tax for non smoking King Suite with pull out sofa $113 per night plus tax for King Studio Suite. Rates only available when calling the hotel direct. Ask for Antique Bike Show when booking
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Spartanburg-North 161 Sha Drive Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-504-3333
Holiday Inn Express Spartanburg North Standard Doubles: $90.00 From our hotel's modern accommodations to the complimentary Express Start hot Breakfast Bar, we provide a comfortable and convenient stay. During your down time, you can work out in the fitness Center or relax at the indoor pool. Our friendly staff looks forward to serving you at this hotel in Spartanburg.
Quality Inn and Suites(Bus. I-85, exit 4)160 Simuel Road Spartanburg, SC 29303Phone: 864-542-0333Fax: 864-598-9646
Double/Doubles; Queen/Queen and King Suites with pull outs all non smoking will be offered for a group rate of $62.00 plus tax.The property is 15 miles from Chesnee. Rate includes the following amenities: * Free breakfast with make-your-own waffles, fresh sausage gravy & biscuits * Free wireless high-speed Internet * Free weekday newspaper * Free local callsAll spacious rooms include cable television, pillow-top mattress, coffee maker, desk, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Some rooms include a microwave, an in- bath whirlpool, a sofa sleeper and a refrigerator.
Sheridan Hotel(I-85, exit 63)1386 E. Main Street Duncan, SC 29334Phone: 864-433-1122Fax: 864-433-0049
$49.95 plus tax for King Non- Smoking or Smoking $52.95 plus tax for Queen Queen non Smoking $89 plus tax for Jacuzzi and executive suites. Amenities and Services Free Shuttle Service Jacuzzi™ Executive Suites Pet-Friendly Accommodations Hot Breakfast Walking Distance to Demetre's Gourmet Grill and Bar, Major Italian Restaurant in the Area Within 5 Minutes of the BMW® Visitor's Center Conference Room with Projection System That Accommodates 30 People
Since 1993, Chesnee Classic Cycle has been a regional hub for vintage & classic motorcycles, owners and enthusiasts. The shop is housed in the former Potter's Livery Stable, established in 1914 , which is the oldest original timber-framed building remaining in downtown Chesnee. Owner Dennis Harris spent his early years as a flattrack racer and renowned tuner, achieving national success with Norton, Ossa, Ducati, Cagiva, Honda and Harley Davidson motorcycles before retiring to establish Chesnee Classic Cycle in his hometown.
The pace at Chesnee Classic Cycle is less hectic nowadays than in past years. Basic service and tires are a primary focus. Older Harley Davidsons are most common. Other marques and projects find their way to us, often when other shops are unable to help. We never got into recent custom trends so popular on television, so terms like "Old School" don't really apply. You won't find neon or an apparel section or a showroom full of bikes for sale. It's more like an old country hardware store, but with men relaxing around motorcycles instead of a pot bellied wood stove. Chesnee Classic Cycle is just a real motorcycle shop.
A brief history of Antique Bikes on Main and our mascot "Barney"- Antique Bikes on Main has become the signature annual event of Chesnee Classic Cycle. Ever since the beginning, we have always found a reason to get together with friends- usually with something on the grill, something in the ice chest and lots of friends & motorcycles. Early events focused on specific bikes, like Italian and British brands. In May 2005, we held the first Antique Bikes on Main event open to all bikes. 25 or 30 friends showed up, with about the same number of bikes. Within three to four years, it had moved to "Always the Last Weekend in July", outgrown East Chester Street in front of the shop and taken over the town with 10,000 in attendance.
The heat has become legendary. Even so, with the added Swap Meet and Prayer Ride on Saturday, Antique Bikes on Main has become one of the top summer motorcycle events in the region with attendance continuing to climb. We want to keep it fun and free for everyone to attend, old and young. We loved motorcycles when we were kids and we want them to have fun here, too. We also remember when it didn't cost $50.00 just for parking, admission and a cheap plate of food to go to a bike rally. Hopefully Antique Bikes on Main will help remind people that money isn't everything.
Our Antique Bikes on Main motorcycle rider logo has affectionately become known as "Barney". In 1947, a good friend of ours named Sam Greenway opened a new Harley Davidson dealership in Fayetteville, NC after returning from World War II. Greenway Harley Davidson operated for about ten years before he let the HD Franchise go as he transitioned to a more profitable Schwinn Bicycle dealership. Mr. Greenway was a regular at Chesnee Classic Cycle for many years. In early 2007, Mrs. Greenway asked us to help resolve the remains of his life long collection of everything two-wheeled as Sam reached the end of a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. When we finished, she came to us and said, "Thank you for helping. I know this isn't much, but Sam would want you to have this for your shop." She handed us their last new Greenway Harley Davidson green t-shirt from 1955. Barney was on the front of that shirt. When we did our first Antique Bikes on Main t-shirts in 2007, Barney on his old motorcycle was the natural choice and a fitting tribute to our good friends Mr. and Mrs. Sam Greenway.
We're usually here at Chesnee Classic Cycle Tuesday - Saturdays after 1:00PM until 7:00PM, sometimes later.
When you stop in, offering a cold twelve pack of Busch Light in cans is an excellent way to say "hello"....
For More Information, contact:
Chesnee Classic Cycle
102 E Chester St. Chesnee, SC 29323
(864) 590-2141
dennisa.harris@chesnet.net
To contact the Webmaster, please email cbbutton@bellsouth.net