solvang motorcycle musuem

[abby normal]

for anyone in the area of solvang california, do yourself a favor and stop by the
motorcycle museum.  this is a small storefront containing the stunning personal collection
of virgil ehlings (sorry if that's not spelled correctly).  he has one of the 3 guzzi v-8
reproductions, lots of old race bikes, a honda 500 cc GP bike (pre 2-stroke) raced
by none other than mike hailwood!  there's another honda signed by agostini.  up front
are a mint crocker and one of the brittens.  lots of old MV race bikes.  a supercharged
180 mph vincent.  a couple of baloney-slicer guzzis, an unrestored ~1915 indian.  mr ehlings
wasn't there at the time of my visit,
but i'm told he hangs around frequently.  wish i could have met him.

[somegirl]

Thanks for the report.  Did you take any pictures?

[Fergus]

for anyone in the area of solvang california

How long's that been there? I was just in Solvang a few months ago and I grew up around there. Now I'm 1000 miles away . I'm bummed I missed it.

[derby]

we had plan on heading there yesterday on the way back from pismo beach, but decided to go back the way we came (58 > 33).

two people from our group went the other way, so maybe the went through solvang on their way back.

[MetalDuc]

two people from our group went the other way, so maybe the went through solvang on their way back.

We did go through. No pics I am sorry to say It is an amazing collection and only part of it is on display at any given time. All the bikes are said to run and are started and a somewhat regular basis.

You can get an idea of the collection from the website though an in person visit is the best way to appreciate the bikes.

http://www.motosolvang.com/

[DY]

I've been to solvang a handful of times and never knew they had a moto museum!  Will be sure to check it out the next time around... after I have my filling of Ableskivers and sausage!

[Duc L'Smart]

Mucho Nice

Bikes for sale, too:

http://www.motosolvang.com/for_sale.htm

[abby normal]

Thanks for the report.  Did you take any pictures?

i did ... on the wife's camera.  i'll see if i can access it long enough to get some down-loaded.

btw ... mr ehlings is supposed to be a really nice guy.  hopefully a trip by any of us here
will coincide with his presence there.

[somegirl]

Bikes for sale, too:

http://www.motosolvang.com/for_sale.htm

I like this little one.

[bluemoco]

Virgil Elings is an alum of the same college that my parents attended, and my mother chats with him at the occasional gatherings.  I haven't met him myself, but I understand him to be a very modest, unassuming guy.

His museum is definitely on my to-visit list.   

[Dietrich]

Pennyrobber and I stumbled on Solvang and the museum when our ride leader missed a couple turns coming up from LA, and another member on the ride suggested it.  Awesome place to stop!!  Definitely a cool place, and I could spend all day just hangin out in town.  Planning to go back someday.  Pics from our visit:

[somegirl]

Thanks for posting pictures!