A good show gives you three things that are hard to find otherwise: parts you can hold in your hand, people who know your bike, and a sense of what a bike should look like when it is right. These are some of the best-known events and how to make the most of them.
Big events
- Beaulieu International Autojumble (UK). Held at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, described by the organisers as the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items in Europe. It has hundreds of stands and tens of thousands of visitors each year, selling spare parts and tools, automobilia, books and historic vehicles. In 2026 it was held on 12 and 13 September.
- Techno Classica. A world trade fair for classic and prestige cars, with spare parts, tools, restoration services, club displays and literature. It is known as the Techno Classica Essen, but the 2026 edition is announced for Messe Dortmund on 24 to 27 September, with the next one on 23 to 26 September 2027. Check the organiser's site for the venue and dates.
- Rétromobile (Paris). A classic vehicle show held in Paris around the end of January or the beginning of February. The 2026 edition was held from 28 January to 1 February.
- Barber Vintage Festival (Alabama, US). The annual festival run by the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which says it was in its twenty-first year at the time of writing.
Dates and venues change, so always check the organiser's website before you plan a trip.
Club events
Club events are smaller and more focused on one make or period. The VMCC in the UK runs section runs, shows, track days and the Banbury Run. Your national federation lists events in your country: see clubs and federations.
Before you go
- Write a list: part numbers, dimensions, photos of what you need, and the model and year range.
- Bring a tape measure, a caliper, a torch and a magnet to test steel and cast parts.
- Bring cash in small notes, since many stalls do not take cards.
- Bring a bag or a small trolley, and gloves.
- Check the opening times and the entry cost, and the weather.
At the event
- Arrive early for the best choice. Late in the day is when sellers may lower prices to avoid carrying stock home.
- Walk the whole event once before you buy, so that you know what is available and what the going price is.
- Ask the seller about the part: where it came from, whether it was used, what it fitted.
- Be polite when you haggle. A fair offer is normal, a very low one is not.
- Check the part carefully for cracks and wear. See finding parts.
- Ask for a receipt for expensive parts. A part with no history may be stolen.
Buying bikes at shows
Many shows have bikes for sale. Treat these as you would any other purchase: check the papers, the numbers, and the seller. See the buying checklist and safe payment. Do not pay a deposit in cash to someone you cannot trace.
Online alternatives
If you cannot travel, live auctions and online markets offer many of the same bikes. Epic Motor Trading runs timed online auctions for classic motorcycles. See the live auctions.
