HANFORD 2010 tradition for 42yrs

[KNUCK]

For those on the west coast May 15th 2010 is the Hanford show and swap meet at Hanford, CA in the fair grounds. Free parking and food vendors on site. Cycle sale corral on site.

This is one of the oldest on the west coast and we really need to support it. This is not an AMCA meet. I just checked the long range weather and it looks perfect. Camp in your own paid swap space for free or for $20 park your trailer or RV with full hook up.

For more information classiccycleevents.com

[Jerry Hatfield]

I went to the Hanford meet in the early nineteen-eighties. In that era, the meet was held in the public square, on green grass, in the shade, under a 75 percent canopy of very large trees. There were no swap meet spaces, but just old motorcycles, people admiring the iron, and people visiting with friends and making new friends. Touching the display area was the "bastille," a restaurant made from the old Hanford jail. The jail cells were along the hallway leading to the rest rooms. You could dine and drink, and all the while keep your eyes on old iron, and once in awhile spot a friend you could summon with a yell. Across a side street from the display area was a gourmet ice cream shop. Ringing the block were several cafes and watering holes. Without swap meet spaces to generate revenue, this charming event was strictly low bucks.

Today's Hanford event is at the largely shade-less fair grounds. Acres of asphault make the area hotter than the weather bureau claims. Hanford's hot enough in May without standing on pavement all day. For food, try so-so hotdogs and burgers; that's it. There are a lot of swap meet spaces. Who needs to look at swap meet spaces anymore, now that we have with e-bay and other electronic sales. What does the generated money do for the antique motorcycle movement? We've lost our way.

[KNUCK]

Great to hear from you...........

Let's get back to our roots instead of behind a computer screen and meet new and old friends.

Compared to meets I read about here lately you can expect a sunny day here. Park your bike on grass, not dirt or asphault. I have had hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and tri-tip.

Stop by and I will buy you lunch and offer some shade at my spot. Check the website for pics from last year and see for yourself. Bring some of your new books and sell them!

Hope to see you there!

[RichO]

Jerry

There were swap spaces there in the square. I've been going to the CAMA meets since the late sixties which is what present day Hanford put on by promoters has morphed into. Palmdale (the college), Visialia (Sears parking lot and the park), Reedly (one year only), Tulare (the fairgrounds, old stadium, and the Ag center), and Hanford (town square and fairgrounds). Show bikes and swap spaces have always been a part. Because of issues with some of the past promoters since Connelly (CAMA gave it up) it's been in steady decline. Come to Dixon Jerry. We'll treat you right. We started it so that the West coast would have a spot between north and south that could get their machines judged to National specs (on Saturday), exibit only if you wish, great banquet Friday night, huge field meet competition on Saturday, and lots of swap spaces. Plenty of big trees and good food. Lots of friendly people too. We're doing a special exhibit of the west coast meets and their history this year. Vendors who come in early on Thursday night always get treated to dinner on us. Hope to see you there. Always remember you and Max pulling into the parking lot at the first national road run in Colorado after having ridden in from SoCal on your 101 and his old four.

[Chris Haynes]

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Today's Hanford event is at the largely shade-less fair grounds. Acres of asphault make the area hotter than the weather bureau claims. Hanford's hot enough in May without standing on pavement all day. For food, try so-so hotdogs and burgers; that's it. There are a lot of swap meet spaces. Who needs to look at swap meet spaces anymore, now that we have with e-bay and other electronic sales. What does the generated money do for the antique motorcycle movement? We've lost our way.

Hey Jerry,
Ya wanna pass that thing over here when you are done with it?
"Acres of asphault(SIC)"There is one dual paved strip at Hanford. This is where the bike show is set up. The rest is grass and dirt. Food there sucks but a half mile up the street is downtown Hanford where you can eat well and drink in air conditioned comfort. There are many great eateries in Hanford. Also Hanford has a lot of new modern motels. In Leemore, the next town over from Hanford, you will find the new luxurious Tachi Palace's Hotel & Casino.http://www.tachipalace.com/
"Who needs to look at swap meet spaces anymore" Maybe someone who isn't restoring a motorcycle or collecting materials for research. Sure I buy from E Bay on a regular basis, but I always find something I want or need at Hanford.
The most important thing about Hanford or any other meet is the camaraderie. Meeting old friends and making new ones. Of course in the hot afternoon you go to the old town square where the meet started. The old jail house Bastille Bar & Grill is still there and is a great place to eat.

Across the street is Superior Dairy products. This is a real old time Ice Cream Parlor. Take a number and wait your turn

Note that downtown Hanford is always a busy place during the day of the bike show and swap meet. It is also Hanford's Homecoming. The whole county turns out for it. Lots of food vendors in the old town square and a free car show too. Of course this brings out the ladies too.
If it is too hot, and ya can't leave for food, and ya do all yer shopping on eBay ya might be too old.

[KNUCK]

Thank you Chris for the nice post up on the local flavor. I should also mention that the Friday night vendor only flashlight swaping is a nice option that I like to do, and fun to see the vendors Bar-B-Q in their space.

[Jerry Hatfield]

I surrender.

[sludge]

nothin like a swapmeet where ya can hold the part up to the light and get a good look at it before buyin it....easier to bargain that way too....and the best part is takin your new finds home with ya that very day....hot pavement? sounds great to somebody who just got through another cleveland winter.

[marsh1915hd]

Been a vendor at Hanford for 20 years and have watched it go up and down. But there are always good deals and have sold some good deals. Never seen it rain and have only put a coat on once. Hate the train horn in the middle of the night. Good bathrooms and not bad food. Downtown is cool with the best food and cars. Jeff Coffman brings his good high $ parts. The Japan guys fly in to buy, there cool. Would you fly 3,000 miles for parts? Can't talk with them but we all talk motorcycle and if they come that far, there cool.
Dixion is a better meet. More old stuff. Bought a 1917 HD there two years ago. Campground is good. Better every year. The Dave and the help do a good job.
I am bring a trailer full of JD parts that I bought last fall. Frames, forks, motors, and many small parts. So bring some parts to trade or sell as we need more vendors and buyers there. See you at both meets, Terry Marsh #5477

[KNUCK]

Thank you Terry, we need guys like you who bring the really cool stuff !!!!!

I do see the Japan guys and they bring $$$$$$$$. Seen them leave with their hands full of parts. Maybe Kiwi will show up this year, saw Bob Stark again last year.

I plan to photo the meet this year and will post later on.

[Chris Haynes]

Here is the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford. The show is in the area between the paved streets and the swap meet is on the grassy area above it. But you do need to go into town to get good grub.

[KNUCK]

Wow, you are on it. The race track at upper right is where they run some motorcycle races and the Sprints, (World of Outlaws) greatest show on dirt!

[marsh1915hd]

Weather NICE

Just look up the weather for Hanford Ca. meet this Friday and Sat. 81 to 85 degrees, Clear, That means 90 in the sun so bring some sun screen an alot of water, of your flavor. Jeff Coffman is coming to get my trail full of parts and take me to Hanford. He has a pick-up full with a Knuckle basket case in it.
Come help this meet stay a live it has been so closes to closing down. But we come and support it will till I am too old.