Motoblot 2018

[emptysea]

I will post a short seat time report on my visit to this year’s “Urban motorcycle and hot rod rally” when I’m back on my PC. In the meantime, here are a few pics














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[the Ferret]

Oh I wish I were an Ocscar Meyer Weiner.. That is what I'd really like to be-e-e

Hey I had a 450 Honda exactly like that one

[emptysea]

From what I can find via Google, Motoblot started in 2005 as an event called "Mods vs. Rockers" and was a small gathering of cafe racers and scooterists. At some point in its evolution, the organizers added music (mostly Rockabilly) and a hot rod show. I attended the last "Mods vs. Rockers" event in 2013 just a few weeks after taking delivery of my CB1100. The organizers felt, apparently, that the name was not descriptive of what the event had become. I'm not at all sure why they thought that "Motoblot" was a more descriptive title, but if crowd size is indicative of good branding, then it's the perfect name.

I rode to the event alone this year; Cheryl had a wedding shower to attend and I just didn't feel like contacting anyone else. This turned out to be for the best. Riding Chicago's surface streets is tricky enough by oneself. It took me a little less than an hour to travel the 16 miles from my house to the intersection of Ashland and Fulton Market on Chicago's Near West Side. Since I was riding solo, I was able to take advantage of right lanes that disappear after intersections to make the trip a little quicker. I never could have done that with additional riders.

My neck is stiff from its 2 hour stint as a swivel. Repaving, mostly done except for proper striping, along Cicero Avenue made things a little more entertaining. I decided to use the raised manhole covers as slalom cones for a bit of the ride. This would not have been much of a challenge since I didn't have to leave my lane to maneuver around the obstacles, but they came up on me a little quick sometimes when drivers filled my forward buffer space. Aside from that and the occasional sounding of my horn at vehicles that suddenly emerged from cross streets, it wasn't a terrible trip; just not the same level of leisure that a ride in the country offers.

The CB1100 is actually pretty perfect for urban riding. I sit tall enough on it to be seen and it's nimble enough to avoid those that still don't see me. It was a little on the warm side today and this bike can get hot at stop lights. I'm used to it, though, and in any case, it's not that bad. As has been said by many here, including myself, there are many bikes that do a few things much better than the CB1100, but there are only a few bikes that do so many things so well.

Once I arrived at Motoblot, I wound up parked between an old Kawi and a new R Nine T. All the same, at least 4 people stopped me to talk about my bike and I didn't see anyone asking about the bikes to either side (I wasn't looking too hard, though). The CB1100 looked quite at home in the line of vintage and retro-modern bikes that dominated the parking area. I probably should have taking a photo to show that to you.

The show itself was a lot of fun. Good food, great music, a ton of bikes and moto-related vendors. The Progressive tent had a guy from Nashville who did custom chain-stitched patches for anyone who wanted them. I had him make me an Empty Sea patch (see photo) which will eventually be sewn onto my CB1100 Arkansas rally work shirt.

If you're in Chicago next June at Motoblot time, let me know and we can go together. On second thought, I'll meet you there.
Oh...one more thing.... This is the second time I've seen the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile in person. The first time was in winter and, I don't know why, but it seemed much smaller then.

[flynrider]

The last time I saw a Weinermobile was in Evanston in 1966. Do they still give out weinerwhistles?

That gathering looks like it was pretty cool. Motorcycles and hot rods? What's not to like? Nice way to spend a summer day.

[emptysea]

I believe they still have a version of the wiener whistle, but I think they look a little different and I did not see any being handed out.

Someplace, I have a picture of my brother and I with the Wienermobile while it was parked behind our office building -- The driver had locked the keys to the interior storage cabinets inside one of the cabinets and our office neighbor was the nearest locksmith. Fascinating story, eh? LOL

[Banned_imp]

Given the abundance of hot dog restaurants you have in the Chicago area does the Weinermobile live there full time?

I know it sounds silly but I would really like to see it in person, I love kitschy stuff like that.

[emptysea]

The Wienermobile goes all over, but I think it spends a lot of time here given the company's long history in Chicago.
http://www.oscarmayer.com/wienermobile

[Leaning_imp]

A few weeks ago I saw the wienermobile heading south on I29, went over an overpass as I was approaching. I guess I should wear a camera around my neck like ferret does.

[the Ferret]

LOL I have seen the weinermobile lots of times, but seeing how Cincinnati is the home of quite a few pork meat producers that might be why.