This past weekend was the 6th annual Victory Moto Show in our very own hometown of Savannah, Georgia. Since 2017, founder Anna Heritage Close and her team of “Moto Babes” have assembled each year to unite motorcycles and the people who love them into an event that not only highlights custom and vintage bikes, but benefits a veteran non-profit.
The Moto Babes: Meagan Hodge, Jen Pentreath, Anna Close, Meredith Sutton, and Charlotte Masters
The venue each year is Service Brewing, a veteran-owned Savannah brewery with a deep and long-standing commitment to giving back to veterans and the local community. For 2022, Victory Moto Show’s highlighted non-profit was the Warrior Music Foundation, which provides free music lessons and music therapy to active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
The 2022 show proved one of the best ever, showcasing a wide range of custom and vintage motorcycles. Fortunately, our friend and fabulous photographer Drew Perlmutter, whose work has graced Sideburn and Blue Ridge Motorcycling, among many others, was on hand to capture the show for us.
Without further ado, here are our highlights from the show!
2022 Victory Moto Show: Best in Show
The 2022 Best in Show went to Scot Cameron and his 1931 500cc Rudge.
2022 Victory Moto Show: Best Custom Build
The 2022 Best Custom Build went to Caleb Swiney and his 1988 Harley-Davidson Sportster — a tribute to Georgia’s own Allman Brothers Band! Handpainted by our friend Chastin Brand. Look for a full feature of this beauty coming soon!
2022 Victory Moto Show: Best Vintage
Best Vintage Build went to our buddy Brian Neville and his 1970 BSA Thunderbolt, which he’s owned since it was new.
2022 VMS: The Scene
2022 VMS: Bike Highlights
We’ve tried to credit the owners and builders of each bike. Let us know if we missed any!
1975 Honda CB550 “The Gray Mare” from Rhy Waddington of Savannah, GA.1975 Honda CB550 “The Gray Mare” from Rhy Waddington of Savannah, GA.1975 Honda CB550 “The Gray Mare” from Rhy Waddington of Savannah, GA.1975 Honda CB550 “The Gray Mare” from Rhy Waddington of Savannah, GA.1976 CB750A “Red Tail Redux” by Joe Flores of Atlanta: Part of a matching set of motorcycle and truck (’64 F100) to commemorate the 33-year career of the owner, Lonnie Taylor (USAF)1976 CB750A “Red Tail Redux” by Joe Flores of Atlanta, GA.1976 CB750A “Red Tail Redux” by Joe Flores of Atlanta, GA.1976 CB750A “Red Tail Redux” by Joe Flores of Atlanta, GA.1976 CB750A “Red Tail Redux” by Joe Flores of Atlanta, GA.1971 BMW R75/5 from Wes Burden (Apex Cycle Shop): “I purchased this 1971 BMW R75/5 basket case to do a full restoration, upgrade parts, and performance to make a “sleeper” hot rod for my friend Bill @oysterbamboo. After a year or so of pounding through the North Georgia mountains, Bill and ‘Barnstormer” suffered a horrible crash. Sending Bill to the hospital and Barnstormer was totaled after going end over end and caught fire. Herb Haigh contracted me to build him a race bike to compete in Novice Production Heavyweight class in @ahrmaofficial and I knew I could give this /5 another life. The /5 was completely stripped down and every component was gone over and made race ready. Herb took the #1 title in NHP class for 2021 and was suggested to move up to a harder class called B.E.A.R.S (British European American Racing Series). This class allows more non-production modifications producing faster bikes. Barnstormer has earned the tag #bluerocket and I look forward to more podium finishes for the rest of the 2022 season.1971 BMW R75/5 from Wes Burden (Apex Cycle Shop).1971 BMW R75/5 from Wes Burden (Apex Cycle Shop).1979 Honda CB125 from Adam Sheard of Speed Deluxe (@speed_deluxe)1979 Honda CB125 from Adam Sheard of Speed Deluxe (@speed_deluxe)Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).Harley Shovelhead by Justin D’Atri (@j_dub357).1987 Honda XR600R from Alex Bender (@therufusonfire).1987 Honda XR600R from Alex Bender (@therufusonfire).1987 Honda XR600R from Alex Bender (@therufusonfire).1972 Kawasaki G5 100 from David Gray.1972 Kawasaki G5 100 from David Gray.1973 Honda CL350 by Kevin Heritage (@bigbonmoto).1973 Honda CL350 by Kevin Heritage (@bigbonmoto).1969 Honda CL350 “Poppy” by Anna Heritage Close, founder of Victory Moto Show.1969 Honda CL350 “Poppy” by Anna Heritage Close, founder of Victory Moto Show.1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm: “My father purchased new and raced it. Was one of the 1st 50 of its kind in the US.”1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm.1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm.1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm.1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm.1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm.1976 Husqvarna 250 WR from Todd Wilhelm.1972 BMW R75/5 from Mike Harboldt.Harley Flathead — owner unknown.Harley Flathead — owner unknown.Harley Flathead — owner unknown.Harley Flathead — owner unknown.2000 Harley Fatboy by William Graham, based on the TV series “The Lone Ranger.”2000 Harley Fatboy by William Graham, based on the TV series “The Lone Ranger.”1969 Triumph Tiger from David Rothenberg (owner) / Coast Empire Moto (shop).1965 Honda Sports 50 from Rick Barrett. Best memory: “Riding 200 miles to see Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Admissions was $2.50.”1965 Honda Sports 50 from Rick Barrett.1965 Honda Sports 50 from Rick Barrett.1924 AJS from Scot Cameron.1924 AJS from Scot Cameron.1924 AJS from Scot Cameron.1924 AJS from Scot Cameron.1924 AJS from Scot Cameron.1924 AJS from Scot Cameron.1980 Harley FLT from Nate Kell.2018 Sterling from Hal Salem2018 Sterling from Hal Salem.
A worthy cause, and a bunch of great bikes! Wish I was closer to see it in person.