More photos of 2017 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Big 1948 Douglas boxer twin carried authority.

A good vintage motorcycle show is always a learning experience for me. The 2017 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show Jan. 28 was my chance to see some of the fabled old motorcycles only seen previously in books.

Douglas carried its carburetors right down at the business level.

Looking at the big 1948 Douglas Mark 1 entered by Doug Wothke of Punta Gorda, Fla. I realized that it has dual carburetors. I was surprised to see them mounted right on the low barrels of the boxer twin motor. This worked?!

Patina you can't beat on this vintage Douglas.

1970 Velocette Thruxton had a nose anyone would love.

The 1970 Velocette Thruxton of Rogelio Bello, of Miami featured a sculpted fairing enclosing the headlight. The real surprise for me was the "owner's club" badge on the oil tank. It was mounted on a piece of metal mesh. Was that supposed to provide cooling? I wonder.

...but what's this way back on the oil tank?

Completely unknown to me was the French 1948 Alcyon 18, a 125cc motorcycle described as a "prototype, a one-year motorcycle" entered by Peter Kisgen of Pompano Beach, Fla.

French Alcyon 18 was a one-year model.

...but looked more powerful than its 125cc might justify.

And its silencer was a sight to behold.

A nearby placard detailed the restoration of the 1969 Norton Ranger 750 shown by Bill Tracy of Coral Springs, Fla. A touching note: having restored it he took the Norton to local Brit bike mechanic Wes Scott, who had owned it for 26 years. Wes had the honor of starting it.

1969 Norton Ranger 750.

What wonders to my wandering eyes did appear...