National Motorcycle Museum’s John Parham remembered as enthusiasts celebrate a love for the road

ANAMOSA - Saturday's seventh annual Vintage Rally at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa had a lot to offer - a swap meet, wheelie show, the new 'Dirt Riding USA” exhibit and a panel discussion on motorcycle collecting led by experts who operate vintage stores, buy and sell parts or focus on motorcycle restoration.

But for Ray Sterns, a judge at this year's rally and a motorcycle and dirt bike enthusiast, the highlight of the annual affair is the people.

'It's kind of like a family,” said Sterns. 'We get to see a lot of friends that we haven't seen since last year, or maybe several years.”

This year, one of the family members was missing - John Parham, the founder of J&P Cycles motorcycle company and a dedicated motorcycle enthusiast responsible for bringing the National Motorcycle Museum to Anamosa. Parham died in April after a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 62.

'The biggest thing about this whole deal is John Parham made it possible,” said Sterns. 'It's hard to talk about, but he's the one that had this vision, this dream, and I know he's looking down on us smiling.”

A moment of silence for Parham was also part of Saturday's event that drew thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from across Iowa and the Midwest, their bikes lining the entrance to the museum.

Among those in attendance was Jim Todd, 77, of Illinois, who sat with two of his bikes - 1963 and 1967 Triumphs. Todd travels the country displaying his vintage bikes and said he has had an interest in motorcycles for as long as he can remember.

Around here, he's known as 'Ol' Triumph” by his peers.

'(My interest) in bikes started as a kid, and it progressed from there,” he said. 'I got bigger bikes and bigger ideas. I just enjoy them. It's a really nice hobby.”

Jim Hetzler, of Hetz Studio in Muscatine, was also there Saturday. He said he attends the rally annually and helps with restoration for the museum by pinstriping motorcycles, which he does by applying a thin line of paint by hand. He's been pinstriping more than 40 years.

'We've been real busy with the pinstriping today,” he said. 'It's something that people get mesmerized watching.”

Hetzler said he enjoys the Vintage Rally because of the opportunity to see all the old bikes.

'It just amazes me all the cool motorcycles,” he said. 'There is always one that I've never seen before. It's nice to see the guys get out so we can see what was back in the day.”

Sterns concurred.

'It's always a surprise what you see here, because every year there is something different,” he said.

VISIT THE MUSEUM

What: National Motorcycle Museum

Where: 102 Chamber Drive, Anamosa

Hours: Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Info: (319) 462-3925 or museum@nationalmcmuseum.org

Web: nationalmcmuseum.org

l Comments: (319) 368-8531; alexandra.connor@thegazette.com