Riding a motorcycle is like flying in two dimensions, so it’s a natural collaboration to combine bikes and aircraft for a motorcycle show. The Bikes and Bombers event was last August at the Lyon Air Museum, located at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.
The Lyon Air Museum hosted a bike show with historical motorcycles, warbirds, and aviation artifacts on display inside.
The museum has a fascinating display of warbirds to delight aviation enthusiasts and history buffs, and it was even more interesting with the addition of dozens of historic and collectible motorcycles.
Founded by Major General William Lyon, an aviator and collector, the museum showcases vintage aircraft and military vehicles, spanning from World War II to the Cold War era. Checking out airplanes like the P-51 Mustang and the B-17 Flying Fortress up close is a marvelous experience.
Motorcycles and airplanes combine for a delicious cocktail at the Lyon Air Museum.
Visitors experience a tangible connection to the past, and that’s what made this motorcycle-themed exhibition so special. Take a stroll with us through the Lyon Air Museum to see the wheeled and winged history on display.
Motorcycles and airplanes are a great combination.
Motorcycle legend Don Emde was at the museum to sign books for fans. He has authored several celebrated motorcycle history books, including “Speed Kings” and “Finding Cannon Ball’s Trail.” In 1972, Don Emde won the Daytona 200, joining his father, Floyd, as the only father-son Daytona winners in history.
Floyd Emde won the 1948 Daytona 200 on an Indian Big Base Scout nearly identical to this Scout that Don Emde rebuilt in his dad’s honor. Emde is in the process of writing a book about his dad’s exploits on motorcycles, so look for “Flying Floyd” at EmdeBooks.com next year.
Excelsior battled with Harley and Indian in hill-climb events, earning National Hill Climb Championships in 1929 and 1930 in the 45ci and 61ci classes. This 1930 Excelsior factory racer was one of just 15 built, and its OHV hemi-head 45ci engine produced an impressive 45 hp.
If you get bored of American iron, here’s 3,500 lb of German iron for ya! The Kettenkrad HK 101 debuted in 1939 and was produced by NSU, serving as an unstoppable utility vehicle for transporting soldiers and towing the groundbreaking Messerschmidt ME262 jet fighter.
John Wayne lived down the road in Newport Beach when he bought this Honda SL350 in 1971. Orange County Airport across the runway was renamed John Wayne Airport in 1979, the year “The Duke” passed away.
The four-engined Boeing B-17 played a pivotal role during WWII. This B-17G, dubbed “Fuddy Duddy,” was manufactured under license by Douglas Aircraft up the road in Long Beach.
Anyone who has seen the 1986 movie Top Gun will recognize this 1984 Kawasaki Ninja GPz900. This particular example was created for a small part in Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 sequel.
This 1970 Husqvarna 250 Cross was owned by “The King of Cool,” Steve McQueen, and it sits here in the back of his unrestored 1949 Chevy truck.
Fans of the seminal motorcycle flick, On Any Sunday, will recognize this Husqvarna 360 Cross that was ridden in the film by Steve McQueen.
Here’s a rare machine, a Phelon & Moore Panther Model 100 from England. Introduced in 1932, the Panther 100 used a 600cc single-cylinder engine. This example is outfitted with a boat-shaped sidecar and was formerly owned by Steve McQueen.
It looks like a flathead Harley, but it’s actually a 1943 Kurogane (“black iron”) Type 95 that was built in Japan. Like the similar but not identical Rikou, the 1,260cc Kurogane was built after a failed partnership with Harley-Davidson.
A trio of lust-worthy Vincents, one with a single-cylinder engine and one with a sidecar.
The oldest motorcycle on display was this Norton Energette from 1902, the first year of Norton production.
The Ariel Square Four is one of motorcycling’s most interesting motors, and to see the 1,000cc engine in a beautifully proportioned custom like this makes us like it even more.
Weight is the enemy of aircraft and motorcycles built for racing. This 1978 Kreidler weighs only 121 lb, for which its tiny 50cc engine is grateful. But the little 2-stroke produced 22 hp at 16,000 rpm!
This Harley Ironhead chopper was one of the road-ridden bikes on display outside the Lyon Air Museum, just across the runway from John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, California.
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