Chania is a city on the north-west coast of Crete. The old town is centred on the Venetian harbour, a lovely old-town with architecture dating back to the 14th century.
The Venetian warehouses
As we explored the old town we came across a notice that there was a classic bicycle and motorcycle display. We were lucky enough to be there on the last day of the display.
The exhibition was held in one of the Venetian warehouses that has been converted into a theatre / exhibition hall.
In the forecourt outside the hall was a fine display of lightweigh 50cc European motorcycles, including a Kreidler, Horex and Zundapp. These machines are never seen in Australia. I photographed all of them in detail but unfortunately my phone was hijacked and I lost almost all my photographs.
Crete in summer is extremely hot so the exhibition opened at 7.30pm and closed at midnight. What a great idea and something we in Australia should consider during the heat of summer.
The vintage bicycle display
Vintage bicycles
Around the time of the First World War the militaries of Europe began to use bicycles to "mobilise" their armies. It was better than marching!
Celebrating the centenary of BMW
Two early girder frame BMW models
Some BMW history:
https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2023/01/bmw-isetta-saviour-of-company.html
1937 BMW R12 in Germany military spec
BMW with front shield
1962 BMW outfit
The beautiful Jawa from Czechoslovakia:
https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2022/07/1950-jawa-350-motorcycle.html
The scooter corner (from the Chania Motorcycle Club Facebook page
Lambrettas and their derivatives
NSU Prima based on the Italian Lambretta
The moped section
DKW Hummel 'tin banana'
The Hummel is a beautifully stylish machine that really should have been more successful than it was.
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2022/04/1965-zweirad-union-dkw-hummel-range.html
1970 Gilera 98SS
1954 Horex Regina from Germany
Two DKWs - one civilian and one military in the German section
1954 DKW RT250H just like my example:
https://dkwautounionproject.blogspot.com/2022/03/1954-dkw-rt250-h-motorcycle.html
Another DKW in unusual colour scheme
The world's most successful scooter - the Honda Cub, sold in the millions in every market on earth
Honda 50cc motorcycles
Honda 500 Four
The British section
Matchless and Nortons in the British section
Norton
1929 BSA H28
The Chania Classic Motorcycle Club put on an absolutely fantastic and professional display. It was really excellent and it appears from their Facebook page they do this every year. My only regret is that I lost 90% of the photographs I took when my phone was hacked. For more information about the Chania Classic Motorcycle Club, check out their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064406690425
