Admittedly the extent of my knowledge about vintage motorcycles is rooted in watching Steve McQueen on a 1962 Triumph in the film “The Great Escape” and a 1965 photo of Paul Newman perched atop a Triumph, on the set of the movie “Harper,” reading a newspaper while getting his hair cut by celebrated hairdresser of that era Jay Sebring.

That being said, I recently had a chance to tour the British Motorbike Experience, billed as “the finest private collection of pre-war British motorbikes and memorabilia in the Unites States,” located right here in Rhode Island and found it completely mesmerizing.

Whether you’re a fan of motorcycles or just curious about village life across the pond in the early 20th century, BME has it all!

I kid you not, we’re talking a cobblestone street (set by hand), a copy of a tree that you’ll swear is the real thing, storefront replicas of a motorbike dealer and a chocolatier, and even an old time-y pub called The Thirsty Chicken where you can even enjoy a pint after exploring this hidden gem.

I was awed - and you will be too — by the attention to detail and overall authentic feel.

Want to know more?

Of course you!

Luckily I happen to have the origin story from the man behind BME himself:

“My love of British bikes began with the first two bikes I bought at auction in the UK — a 1951 Douglas MK V and a 957 Douglas Dragonfly. It was love at first sight at first cleaning and head over heels when I first fired them up.

The 1951 had come with a watercolor painting of the bike entitled, “Dad’s Douglas,” which told me this bike had really meant something to someone. Both bikes were actually from the same estate and a year after buying them, I ended up writing the family to let them know how much I valued them and how I intended to take good care of them. That started an unexpected friendship with the previous owner’s daughter, Vanessa Solomon. (It’s worth checking out the posters for those two bikes in the work room and if you have time, I’ve got several great stories to share.)

Although I never knew Vanessa’s father, Frank Greaves, I felt it only proper to show my appreciation for those bikes and my friendship with her by naming the service station after him. And the Greave’s family ties to the BME do not stop there: The pictures of the World War II Tankers hanging on the walls inside The Thirsty Chicken Pub are of Frank’s father.

I love many things about British motorcycles, but like most collectors, I am equally taken by the incredible history and the stories of these useable works of art.”

Private tours are available upon request. If you’re interested in seeing this stunning exhibit in person, feel free to message me here via Patty@PattyJ.com and I’ll work on setting it up.