- When it comes to classic vehicles, cars and trucks
usually get most of the attention.
But that certainly will not be the case in Durham
on Labor Day weekend.
The annual Bull City Rumble shines a spotlight on
two-wheeled transportation, specifically vintage
scooters and motorcycles.
Let's check it out.
- [Narrator] In Durham each Labor Day weekend hundreds
of motorcyclists gather to celebrate their labor of love.
- Motorcycles are works of art.
And they should be appreciated as such.
- I love bikes and I love old bikes and my bike is old
so I figured I would come out.
- [Narrator] It's called the Bull City Rumble.
Here the focus is on motorcycles manufactured decades ago.
- We get about 500 vintage motorcycles that show up
every year and anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 spectators.
It's grown significantly since the first event,
which had about 50 motorcycles.
If it has two wheels and runs it is welcome at this show.
The older the better.
- [Narrator] That would certainly apply to this early
20th century Harley Davidson and Indian from 1945.
But it's not just the iconic American brands represented
here, there are flags from all around the world to
signify the countries where the bikes were made.
And that's how they're grouped for visitors to see.
Japanese, British, European.
- There's, I think a bike from just about every brand
foreign and domestic.
But just all types of CCs, even little mini bike scooters.
- All the bikes are really great, but particularly there
are a couple of old T stroke race bikes over there,
really rare motor GP bikes from the 70s that are
just amazing.
- [Narrator] The Bull City Rumble began in 2005,
the creation of a group called Ton Up North Carolina
with a goal to not only bring motorcycle enthusiasts
together, but also share their hobby with the more
car-centric community.
- It's a free event, spectators will be able to walk
up and down the street and enjoy the beauty of these
fine machines.
Some of them are truly rolling works of art.
- At many shows it's only the most pristine entries
that come away with a prize, but here at the Bull City
Rumble you can have a show winning bike,
even if it has a few imperfections.
- Rule number one we have here at the Rumble is no
trailer planes.
It's gotta run.
It's got to have a little mud under the fenders.
The shiny bikes are great, but there's a show for them
every weekend.
We have a small committee of members from the club
and community members who walk around,
we pick the best bike whoever gets the most votes wins.
It's winner take all.
- [Narrator] Even those who don't leave with a trophy
can still ride away from the rumble with more than
they had when they rolled up.
There are instructional tech sessions and plenty of
other ways to learn about the machines they're admiring,
often from the owner's themselves.
- Some of the guys who restore some really old bikes
and have put in the effort and they'll tell you
their stories.
- [Narrator] Folks like Steve Mills who bought this
1968 Triumph Bonneville brand new.
- And it's been a real dependable bike.
The only thing I had to do to it, I had to put two new
copper [mumbles] on it and painted the gas tank.
And other than that it's just like it was when I bought it.
- [Narrator] Hearing stories like Steve's is what makes
the hours spend organizing the Bull City Rumble
worthwhile, the chance to pass along a passion.
- It's wonderful to overhear conversations from
grandfathers to their grandkids, pointing to a machine
and say they had one of these at one time,
"I used to ride one of these."
It's the biggest thing we take away from this event.
- [Narrator] In Durham, I'm Rob Holiday from North
Carolina Weekend.
- Bull City Rumble 13 is Friday and Saturday September
first and second in downtown Durham's Brightleaf District.
For a detailed itinerary go to tonup.bigcartel.com.