Three Velocettes marked their spots in the 2nd Annual Unfinished Projects Show in San Francisco, California. This is a show of motorcycles and motorcycle-themed art that demonstrates what a fine line there is between the utility of these vehicles and art. The Velocette marque is always a great example of this.

Pete Young’s 1913 3Ω HP Veloce was the oldest of the three Velocettes.

Blaise Descollonges’s 1966 Venom was in the window opposite Young’s Veloce. According to Descollonges, this was Paul d’Orleans first Velocette.

In between, in the lineup between a 1969 BSA Rocket Three and a 1970 Triumph Bonneville, was my own 1946 GTP. This mighty 250 cc bike went on the Colorado Rally, but suffered from too much rust in the gas tank.

Don Danmeier’s 1939 Rudge-Whitworth “Special” was just a few bikes away, but there were too many people around it to get a good view.

The gala opening for this show was Saturday, February 25th. It was a clear and cool evening, perfect riding weather. In fact, you knew you were approaching the show on 8th St. by the density of motorcycles on the road. At any given time there were over 100 motorcycles; the variety was constantly changing as people came and went.

Inside the narrow gallery was crowded! Charlie O’Hanlon’s “Venus de Moto” presided over the enthusiasm. Beer and wine flowed and music made technical discussion difficult at times.

Just before I left, a tow truck delivered a motorcycle.
This is not the preferred way to arrive at a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts, but at least the rider who was walking with his helmet in hand, had a story to tell. I did see some people arrive by taxi, which seemed strange, but hey, this is San Francisco, all are welcome. Who knows who or what will be in next year’s show…