CVMG rally returns to Paris, ON

From the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group

If the sights and sounds of vintage motorcycles appeal to you then the Paris Fairgrounds is the place to be for the Father’s Day weekend of June 17-19 as the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG), Canada’s premier vintage motorcycle club, will once again hold its annual rally.

The Fairgrounds are located on Silver Street on the northwest side of Paris, ON.

Founded by a small group of enthusiasts over the winter of 1968-69 the CVMG, or Group as it prefers to be known, has grown to a club comprised of approximately 2,200 members with 29 sections across Canada. As membership grew in the early years, the CVMG decided to organize its first vintage rally in 1973. In 1990 the Group chose the Paris Fairgrounds as the venue and has returned each year since.

With CVMG members owning in excess of 5,000 machines, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts can expect to see a wide variety of American, British, European and Japanese makes and models. While most of these will date from the late 1940s, there are usually a few from the early years of the 20th century. The vast majority have been lovingly restored and maintained with many being ridden regularly by their owners.

The featured motorcycle for this year’s rally is the single overhead cam Honda CB750. First unveiled at the 1968 Tokyo Motor Show, the CB750/4 astonished the motorcycle world with its advanced, oil-tight four-cylinder engine, electric start, five-speed transmission, and front disc brake. With a top speed of 125 mph, the CB750 is generally considered to be the first modern superbike. There will be a display of these classic Japanese machines on the Saturday from 10:00am to noon.

The Rally is open to anyone wishing to attend as either a registered Rallyist or a Day Visitor. You need not ride, or even own, a vintage motorcycle to attend and take part although Day Visitors will not be permitted to take vehicles into the rally area. Adequate free parking is available on the grounds.

Registration, which will cost $30 for CVMG members or $40 for non-members will be open from noon on Friday, June 17 and will allow registrants and their vehicles access to the rally grounds, participation in rally events including a free breakfast on Sunday, and free camping for the weekend. The entrance fee for Day Visitors will be $5 per person per day and will admit the visitor to the rally until dusk but will not allow for participation in rally events other than as a spectator.

Rally events will include a swap meet running from Friday noon to Sunday noon offering vintage parts, restoration projects, and restored motorcycles for sale. Other Rally events open to registrants include a vintage reliability run, seminars, a vintage trials demonstration, Trials for Tykes open to young riders, a show and shine, and a dinner banquet (at additional cost) on Saturday, and a judged concours d’ elegance on Sunday morning.

There will also be flat track and speedway racing (also at additional cost) Friday night at the Paris Speedway adjacent to the rally site.