News

LIGHTNING PHOTOS: Vintage motorcycles draw a crowd at SAB

A vintage Triumph was among the motorcycles on display.

By Bill Moss, Published: April 25, 2015

There were dogs and Hawgs, Ton-Up pale ale, a line at the food truck and a rock band as dozens of motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at Southern Appalachian Brewery on Saturday for the fourth annual Ton Up Highlands Meltdown, a vintage motorcycle show.

Japanese Honda Goldwings, British Triumphs and Nortons, American Harleys, Italian Moto Guzzis and German BMWs lined two blocks of Locust Street — 159 in all. The motorcycles were competing for prizes in the vintage shows.

Named for the exclusive club of riders who had pushed a vintage motorcycle past 100 mph — known as a Ton Up — the Ton Up Highlands club has put on the Meltdown for four years now.

"There's only five of us in the Highlands club that are ton-up members," said Doug Huggins, who was staffing the registration tent. He did it on a 1964 Triton, a British classic with a Triumph motor and a Norton frame.

Motorcycle owners paid $5 to show their bikes. Last year the club raised $2,500 for the Council on Aging. Proceeds are going this year to Mainstay, the shelter for victims of domestic violence and their families. Southern Appalachian Brewery created Ton-Up pale ale for the event and will keep it on hand as a seasonal beer this spring.