GT Moto at the Barber Vintage Festival

Bittersweet Adventures at the Barber Vintage Festival (video)

Recently the last chapter of Sofi Tsingos’ GT Cafe for Cause bike build came to an end- the winner was chosen, and the beautiful Honda Cafe had to get to it’s new home in New York. The adventure was bittersweet as they headed toward Birmingham, Alabama, for the Barber Vintage Festival to enjoy the races, museum, and meet Brian (the new owner) for the exchange. Handing off a bike Sofi put a year of planning and work into was difficult, and at the same time rewarding to see it all work out so well. Over $16,000 raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“After getting to ride the hell out of the GT Moto charity bike during Brandon’s last photo shoot with it, we loaded her up and headed out for the Vintage bike races at Barber Motorsports Park AKA… Heaven on Earth.

Brandon LaJoie & Sofi during their shoot

My only goal for the whole weekend was to see the incredible Barber Museum, and… not cry when handing over the keys to the new owner who drove down from New York! It was a pleasure to get to meet such and great guy and was so happy to know his plans for the bike. His reaction definitely made the build well worth it.

We were able to snag a couple trophies at the Ace Corner- “Best in show” and “Judges Choice”! Our great friend Junior Burrell accepted the trophies for us while we were over at the Iron & Air booth taking some last photos of the bike! It was a once in a life time opportunity that we would not trade for the world. We met some of the coolest people ever and made life long friends, and saw some of the most rarest bikes on the planet, like the Britten! We do plan on going every year now, and my new goal is to get Moto Lady to go too!

After we all went our separate ways, I asked the new owner, Brian, a few questions out of curiosity.”

Sofi: What were your thoughts when you found out you won?
Brian: It was kind of surreal, I was sitting on the couch looking at facebook when I saw the video. I looked at my wife and said, I think I just won a sick bike. It didn’t sink in right away.

Sofi: What are your plans with the bike?
Brian:I plan to ride it and take it to shows. I’m fortunate to live near some great roads in upstate New York.

Sofi: Do you always donate to charities?
Brian: Yes we do. In the past year, the director of our daughters preschool lost her 5 year old daughter to cancer. So your raffle especially touched me when I saw it on yellowbullet.com. We have donated in the past to thetruth365.org, which is another organization pushing for increased funding for children’s cancer research. I think you made a great choice in supporting St. Jude’s.

Sofi: What does your family think of the bike now that it’s home with you?
Brian: My wife keeps asking me what I am going to spend money on changing on it. Good thing is that there is absolutely nothing to do on the bike! My daughter really likes it and has asked to sit on it a few times.

Sofi: Have you ridden it yet, and if so, how does it feel for a 1972 bike?
Brian: I am really impressed with how the bike rides. I am a tall person, 6’5″, and the riding position is very comfortable, more comfortable than my triumph. It has decent power for a 450 and it handles great. Riding season is coming to an end here, so I am looking forward to putting many more miles on it in the spring. One other thing I wanted to add is was great that I was able to come to barber Motorsports vintage motorcycle festival to pick up the bike. It was nice to get to meet you and go over the bike in person. It also gave me a reason to attend what I believe to be the best motorcycle event in the states.