Tips for showing XJ at auto show?

Just for fun, getting my 81 XJ ready for a local charity car show this summer. But being an old dirt bike racer the only "show" I've ever done is regularly "show up" at the emergency room to be strapped back together. (didn't say I was a good dirt bike racer)

Does anyone who's ever had a bike in a car show have any tips for a total novice? Figured I would of course clean/paint/shine bike and maybe lay out any materials I can find to explain why my rather ordinary-looking old stock Maxim is really a cool classic bike.
Anything I'm missing?

thanks
gene

(and before anyone asks: No, I can't afford bikini booth babes. Even if they worked free my wife might arrange for me to "show up" at the ER again, just like old times.)

 

Right now I am going through the process of polishing up all my side covers, and other aluminum hardware that I can take off my bike. I would suggest that if you haven't already. Also you can get chrome trim like they had on the original tanks new on ebay. Look up "chrome tank trim". It really dresses the tank up nice. Other than that couldn't tell you besides make sure it's clean. Good luck and most of all have fun.

 

Have a Detailing and Pimping party with some local kids willing to buff and shine for a Pizza and a few liters of soda's.

Have a bike judging contest with them and see it there is someplace that theu forgot.

Make it a "Show"
Get four "Cones" and some ribbon to build a little show-room.
Carpet or sheet to park it on.
Smooth it out.
Stand with hand-out sheet with the data.

Last, but not least ... a couple of fake trophy's that your kids got for anything ... put them on the the ground next to the bike.
Not to big.
Just attention getting.

 

here is a link to one of the listings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-VT ... enameZWDVW

 

Wow, these are great suggestions. Better than I could have hoped. A couple of followup questions:

Chrome tank strip(s) - my XJ has a strip that only goes halfway back on the tank. Any reason I can't just extend the strip full length of my tank? I could use a spare strip twitchbiker gave me or get some bulk strip material from Chacal. It's cheap.

(I wonder: did the chrome strip only go halfway on all Maxim tanks, or just mine? kinda strange.)


Polishing - Lately I've been wondering/planning how best to do this, xyxj650. Will ask about it as a new topic post.


Display Ideas - Rick, you've obviously got the gift of showmanship. I'm taking your advice (seriously!).
Do you think I might be smart to unscrew the little chrome soccer balls and bowling pins from the dummy trophies I'm using?

Again, this is really great advice, including the reminder this is completely about having fun - same reason I own an XJ.

It'll be a while but I'll post some pix from the car show.

 

1) Make sure the car people don't come up and sit on the bike and/or tip it over. Car people can be like that, you know.......(grin).

2) The original tank trim strips only do extend about 1/2 way back the tank seam. Always looked kinda funny to me, too.

 

Yes.

And pull off the label that says "Perfect Attendance"

You can find a lot of neat looking trophy's on eBay!
Blue Ribbons laying on the seat are a nice touch; too!

 

...and put on the one that says "The Most Gratuitous Use of the Word 'Belgium' in a Serious Screenplay." :mrgreen:

 

schmukaholic
watch your language! and besides, nobody would expext to see a rory at a bike show.

Gcrick
If you can find and display anything like the original sales brochures that would be cool. I'd probably go easy with the trophies. may come across cheesy. unless you really overdo it. then it would be funny.

 

If you are looking for a buffing kit I don't know if you have a harbor freights around there. But if you do stop in and get the kit there. I got mine there and it comes with the polish and around 8 buffing pads for around $20. Just about done polishing my parts up. I'll post up some picks asap.

 

JNinj, reading your advice I began nodding my head, agreeing I don't wanna overdo the trophy thing. Then, God Help Me, I started liking the second idea of over-the-top on trophies. Probably won't do it; I'm a guy with little flair and zero flash. But heck, I'm not expecting to win any prizes anyway, so would that be a hoot or what! (Now I just need to find a really big black velvet painting of Elvis on an XJ.)


Appreciate all the advice on this topic. Now I'm feeling ready to have fun at this show!


[will likely need to ask a few more cosmetic detailing questions later on a new thread]