2017 Monterey Car Week Guide Monterey Car Week Guide 2017 Digital | Page 14

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Robb Talbott, left, and Bobby Weindorf
the ’50s, in particular, 175cc, pre-1957 bikes that
were used in the Moto Giro d’ Italia,” Weindorf
adds, referring to the great two-wheel races in Italy.
“We have bikes that were raced all over the
world, from Isle of Man to the dirt tracks of
America. It’s a gathering of things that are classic,
unique and capture the imagination, and all have
some tie-in to Robb’s life,” he adds.
Talbott brought Weindorf to the museum from
Santa Barbara where he was doing restorations and
running his dealership. He’s been riding since 12
and has worked as technician for American Honda’s
Supercross/Motocross as well as the Fast by Ferraci,
Rumi Honda in Italy and Erion Racing teams.
Although Talbott did not start collecting until
2001, the two-wheeler passion began early, as he
lived near Laguna Seca Raceway, now Mazda Race-
way Laguna Seca, which schedules a number of
events each year for Monterey Car Week. He raced
locally thorough his college years in the mid ’60s.
He started with a Honda 50 step-through, then
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Highline Autos
rode Suzukis and dirt bikes, including a BSA 441,
Jawa, Bridgestone, Kawasaki and a Sachs and then
a two-stroke Yamaha DT-1 250, racing motocross
and winter hill climbs.
He purchased a Triumph Bonneville, then
bought others, restoring some, leaving a few just
as they were to age magnificently. In 2015, he
sold Talbott Vineyards to dedicate his time to the
collection, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit devoted to mo-
torcycle preservation, restoration and education.
Come on over and join the ride, while you’re
in town for Monterey Car Week or any time:
•1953 Capriolo Corsa –– This 75-cc bike was a
winner of its class in the famous Moto Giro D’ Italia
races in the ’50s; this model is one of the closed-
course versions, Weindorf explains.
The Moto Giro races began in 1914 as the
“Giro Motociclistico d’Italia” and lasted nine days
over hundreds of kilometers, requiring extraor-
dinary endurance. Stopping in the mid 1950s, the
2017 Monterey Car Week Guide | www.Highline-Autos.com