News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
An around the world tour of motorcycles and scooters will be making its way to the Cookeville History Museum on January 16.
The museum is partnering with Nashville’s Lane Motor Museum, displaying 11 vehicles until March 27. Lane Motor Museum Education Director Rex Bennett said there should be something for everyone in the Two-Wheeled Wonders of The World Exhibit.
“I picked things from sport bikes, down to very tiny Vespas, and kind of everything inbetween,” Bennett said. “These are very much, historically significant motorcycles and scooters, and some very curious ones. From different countries, from around the world, including here in the U.S.”
Bennett said the most significant display is a replica 1910 Harley Davidson, one of the earliest models. Bennett said this specific model has a dangerous history, going back to the early days of racing.
“This motorcycle has very curved down handlebars, no brakes, it was meant for speed,” Bennett said. “Harley Davidson lost several riders, because it killed quite a few participants in this motor sport. It was a very bloody sport, and actually significant for Harley, in that they got out of motorcycle racing for many years afterwards.”
Bennett said post-war scooters from Europe will provide a glimpse on travel following World War II. He said these will show how transport changed in the aftermath of the conflict.
“After World War II, needed a cheap way to get around some of these countries that were rebuilding from the war,” Bennett said. “That was born out of the Vespa scooter that everyone knows from Italy. A little Solex moped from France, I try to pick things from around the world.”
Bennett said the Lane Motor Museum began partnering with Cookeville in 2019. This exhibit will be at the Cookeville History museum from January 16 until March 27, and admission is free.
