The 1000cc Vintage Black Lightning broke the Australian land speed record of 141.5 mph in 1953 and last year broke records when it was sold to a Tasmanian businessman for US$929,000 (AU$1.16 million) in Las Vegas.

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The vintage bike enthusiast has allowed the mean machine to leave its garage for the Australian chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America's annual meet, on this Saturday and Sunday.

"Of the 33 Vincent Black Lightnings made, many were crashed and blown up, or stripped for parts," show organiser Antony Gullick said.

"This one is a survivor, is totally original, with all original patina from it's glory days. There is no other like this anywhere."

The Black Lightning may be the most expensive bike on show but fans of two wheels will also be able to see dozens of other antique machines from 1904 onwards.

"I'm working on my 1911 bike [to bring down] and we're going to start these things and demonstrate them and ride them," Mr Gullick said.

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There will also be tech talks - from how to tune a carburetor to how to 3D-print parts - auctions, awards and a swap meet where people "go home with more rubbish than they came with".

Gullick has been a fanatic of old motorbikes for 40 years and loves welcoming new people to his "tribe".

"I love the aesthetics of them, I love the history, the sounds," he said.

"It's also a great social vehicle because you find that you're dealing with a whole bunch of eccentric enthusiasts and it's like a way of finding your tribe."

Antique Motorcycle Weekend, Bulli Showgrounds, Grevillea Park. Saturday and Sunday. Full progam at: https://www.amcaaustralia.org/