The Official 2016 Barber Thread

swooshdave · Sep 21, 2016

I haven't been since 2013 when I met quite a few of you surly folks at the CNW van. Good times! :mrgreen:

Flight is booked and we'll be riding the Nortons from NC again. Yes, that means long rides through the Smokey Mountains interrupted by bouts of BBQ. Do pray for me. :wink:

We'll probably stop for the night on Thursday somewhere south of Chattanooga. Final route has not been determined. Get to the park on Friday for the swap meet preview and such.

Remember the ticketing is different this year. You buy your tickets at the hotel outside the park.

http://www.barbermuseum.org/events/barb ... formation/

swooshdave · Sep 22, 2016

No one else is going? Phew! Won't be as crowded!

AZMatt · Sep 22, 2016

This will be my first time going. I'm driving out from Arizona. I have high hopes of finding a few things at the swap meet for my 66 Spitfire restoration. Any suggestions for a first time attendee?

grandpaul · Sep 23, 2016

AZMatt said:
This will be my first time going. I'm driving out from Arizona. I have high hopes of finding a few things at the swap meet for my 66 Spitfire restoration. Any suggestions for a first time attendee?

Arrive Wednesday to take a day and a half to see the museum.

There is too much to do during the weekend, and you'l want to fully appreciate the collection first.

...oh, yes, bring an extra-large wad of cash...

swooshdave · Sep 23, 2016

AZMatt said:
This will be my first time going. I'm driving out from Arizona. I have high hopes of finding a few things at the swap meet for my 66 Spitfire restoration. Any suggestions for a first time attendee?

It's overwhelmingly large. Take as much in as you can and enjoy yourself.

Read the festival website as there are good hints. If you want to park inside the event you need a parking pass unless you have a motorcycle. I'm not sure how much this will keep the cars out.

Because of the huge variety of parts at the swap meet, finding something specific for your bike will be a challenge. Be sure to mention to anyone who has BSA parts what you are looking for. Most of them have a ton of parts they didn't bring.

When it gets too hot outside head to the museum.

Eat lunch early before the crush of the crowds stand in line.

Take advantage of the shuttles, they are the best way to get around.

Holmeslice · Sep 23, 2016

swooshdave said:
No one else is going? Phew! Won't be as crowded!

Just you and me, Swoosh. See you there.

Oh, and Jimmy Com, and Matt, and Dances, and many others.

Danno · Sep 24, 2016

I've been to Barber before, but this will be my first Vintage Days. Myself and 3 friends will be helping our buddy Arthur Kowitz fettle his Brammo dustbin in the e-bike race.

swooshdave · Sep 24, 2016

Ok, bad news. One less Norton going to Barber.

Oh, I'm still going but my brother just got a Guzzi. So he's going to take that instead. :mrgreen:

comnoz · Sep 26, 2016

swooshdave said:
Ok, bad news. One less Norton going to Barber.

Oh, I'm still going but my brother just got a Guzzi. So he's going to take that instead. :mrgreen:

Well just make sure you pack some metric tools in your kit and he should be OK.

swooshdave · Sep 26, 2016

I think this one has 80k miles on it so it's almost broken in. It's been so well maintained that it will last forever.

motorson · Sep 26, 2016

I'll be there. Camping at Norton Hill. I plan to drive down on the 6th from the Charlotte area. Swoosh, where are you staying in Chattanooga? Maybe I could meet up with you for the blast down to Birmingham on the 7th.
Dan.

comnoz · Sep 26, 2016

swooshdave said:
I think this one has 80k miles on it so it's almost broken in. It's been so well maintained that it will last forever.

Yeah, the last Guzzi I owned had somewhere around 150 thousand on it. I tore it apart thinking I was going to rebuild it. Then I priced the parts and put it back together with nothing but new valves and rode it a few more years... I think I used some kind of Ford valves.

swooshdave · Sep 27, 2016

comnoz said:
swooshdave said:

I think this one has 80k miles on it so it's almost broken in. It's been so well maintained that it will last forever.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the last Guzzi I owned had somewhere around 150 thousand on it. I tore it apart thinking I was going to rebuild it. Then I priced the parts and put it back together with nothing but new valves and rode it a few more years... I think I used some kind of Ford valves.

I doubt it even needed rebuilt at 150k. Maybe a clutch...

Compare that to a Ducati that if you look at it wrong it will cost you $10k.

swooshdave · Sep 27, 2016

Have y'all been doing a meet up at Barber? Last time I was there we descended on the CNW enclave.

BillT · Sep 28, 2016

I'll be there - 4th year in a row. This year I'm going up Thursday and leaving Monday morning. Sunday is a lot of scrambles/trials stuff.

Saturday will be the lunch with GANOA - Maggie and Barnie have been involved with that.

I've got a tent spot and will be bringing the 850, Ranger and G80CS in my Promaster. (I've also got a hotel room :wink: )

It'll be interesting to see the changes this year - Barber has been revamping things, both due to the crush of attendees (well over 100k last year) and the expansion of the museum (another 85,000 sf).

norton73 · Sep 28, 2016

I live about 30 minutes from Barber, have attended every one so far. I have a bunch of folks staying at my house every year, Bob's Champagne Norton Racing Team stays here, plus a bunch of the DC Norton guys. i'll definitly be at the INOA lunch Saturday, probably hang around Norton Hill some Saturday Night.
Hope to meet oof y'all there.

I'll be the old guy wearing a Norton shirt...

norton73 · Sep 29, 2016

Just heard a rumour that the INOA turn 6 lunch in the fan zone isn't happening this year. Seems Barber has decided the space would be better used for vendors willing to pay big bucks vs letting clubs have a presence at the event.

BillT · Sep 29, 2016

norton73 said:
Just heard a rumour that the INOA turn 6 lunch in the fan zone isn't happening this year. Seems Barber has decided the space would be better used for vendors willing to pay big bucks vs letting clubs have a presence at the event.

Yes, that's true, but they're getting another space - I forget whether its in lot A (where the AMCA and VJMCC have their shows) or over at Norton Hill

swooshdave · Sep 29, 2016

norton73 said:
I live about 30 minutes from Barber, have attended every one so far. I have a bunch of folks staying at my house every year, Bob's Champagne Norton Racing Team stays here, plus a bunch of the DC Norton guys. i'll definitly be at the INOA lunch Saturday, probably hang around Norton Hill some Saturday Night.
Hope to meet oof y'all there.

I'll be the old guy wearing a Norton shirt...

So if we get in on Thursday we can camp in your yard for the night? :mrgreen:

norton73 · Sep 30, 2016

swooshdave said:
So if we get in on Thursday we can camp in your yard for the night? :mrgreen:

Sure, there's room for a couple tents in the backyard.