Historic motorcycle film from 1956 NGC

[ohiorider]

Though our weather isn't motorcycle-friendly 3-4 months out of the year, states like Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, to mention a few, host huge motorcycling communities.  Here's a look back in time to hill climbs held 15 minutes from where I live, in Peninsula, Ohio.

Peninsula is a lovely small canal (Ohio/Erie) town, that was the scene of some rough and ready hill climbing from at least the 1930s.  Here's video from 1956.  Older film is on YouTube, too.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbi3YGti1nA

Bob

[oldbike54]

 That was fun 

 Dusty

[yogidozer]

Things have been downhill since that era 

[john fish]

At about 36 seconds looks like The Hottest Machine caught fire.  And I just got the joke.  :)

[yogidozer]

Is there a Norwalk Pennsylvania? Or is that Norwalk Ct.?

[larrys]

Wow! Half helmets and T-shirts! Those guys are hillclimb heroes!
Larry

[JACoH]

I really like watching those old hill climbs!  Big old (sometimes just regular street bikes) Harleys and Triumphs and Indians and BSA's, just getting beat up (and down).  Last one I was at was in the late 1980's in Perris, California. Now, it seems to be just the motocross bikes doing it, if the land use folks allow it.

[Sheepdog]

Loved the hill climb segment in "On Any Sunday." Old Marcolm Smith showed them how...

[cookiemech]

Is there a Norwalk Pennsylvania? Or is that Norwalk Ct.?

I think that would be Norwalk, Ohio.

[yogidozer]

I think that would be Norwalk, Ohio.

Thanks!

[giusto]

Great post

Thanks for that!!

[Muzz]

A lot of girder forks on those old hillclimb bikes

Would that be because less movement was looked on as a plus?

[oldbike54]

A lot of girder forks on those old hillclimb bikes

Would that be because less movement was looked on as a plus?

 Probably more because most hillclimb bikes from that era were built from older bikes that came with springer or girder forks .

 Dusty