Classic motorbike found and reunited with owner

Mike Hamilton had his $15,000 bike stolen from the Cherry Blossom Festival but has since been reunited with it after the bike was found by police this afternoon. Photo/file

A classic motorbike stolen during a Tauranga community festival has been found and reunited with its owner.

The 1973 Norton Commando was found at a Tauranga property this afternoon. It had been stolen during last weekend's Greerton Cherry Blossom Festival.

Constable Jonathan Mitchell said the bike was recovered by the Tauranga South police tactical crime unit. Police were continuing with their inquiries in relation to the theft but no arrests had been made at this stage, he said.

The bike was worth about $15,000 and was reportedly seen being pulled into a dark-coloured van.

Owner Mike Hamilton earlier told the Bay of Plenty Times the theft was "like losing a family member".

"Nobody really knows what it is like until it happens to them."

Mr Hamilton's daughter Ruby posted a photo of her dad's missing bike on her Facebook page, which was shared more than 2500 times.

Since the post, the family were inundated with names and addresses of people possibly responsible.