AMCA magazine

[exeric]

I always feel a bit guilty writing over the previous topic, but my cranky old man 'tude' overwhelms me. I just received the latest 'Antique Motorcycle' club magazine. It usually goes right into the porcelain reading room for in-depth analysis but in leafing through it, I wasn't impressed. FIRST, however, I want to say that I have deep admiration, and respect for everyone that puts their time, effort, knowledge, and writing skills into giving AMCA members such a first-class publication 6 times a year. That is no small accomplishment, and every member should be in awe of what our editor, and contributors do for us. With that out of the way, I have to say that I didn't like the magazine, and I have seen a trend that doesn't suit my tastes. My interests are in American motorcycles, and more focused on true antiques (pre 1929), and later vintage motorcycles (ending in 1953). After that date I consider motorcycles to be 'Modern' and not antique. I love all motorcycles, from every country, and every year but I have a narrow window of what I consider viable ANTIQUE and I am rigid in that definition. Again, that does not mean I don't like newer, multi-national bikes but they are NOT antique motorcycles and I don't think they have a lot of support in the AMCA. I have 1966, and 1974 Honda and I love them, but I joined the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club to pursue that and I can tell you there are NO American, British, Italian or German motorcycles in their magazines. I have to believe that every nationality of motorcycle has it's own following and loyal supporters that don't want it mixed up, and that is not being xenophobic.

The AMCA has been on a long path to making this club like the AMA and I think that is a mistake. If this club gets TOO inclusive, and 'one-size-fits-all' it will get mediocre, bland, and boring. Being LESS inclusive could make the AMCA smaller, but that focus could very well define it's validity, and standing, and may give the AMCA a better chance of long term survival.

My comments on this topic always get me in trouble but fellow AMCA members I talk to have reinforced the comments I have made.

[RichO]

Eric,if you trace the demise of the AMA (hanging on by a tread) you'll see how a lot of it's staff is now in the AMCA. also the magazine is now the NEW Cycle World! Also this might help. Follow the money. More Chapters, more members, more money to feed the machine. My comments always get me in trouble but at 77 and hanging on by a tread and a member since 83 ask me if I care.Rich #47 PS I've always blown it's horn even though I've watched it go up and down and sideways to many times over the years over the years.

[micmac]

Eric, You said it better than I think it.
Pete

[gharper]

Eric,

Thanks for your well worded explanation of exactly how I feel about the club. I couldn't have put my thoughts to words as well as you did.

With that said, I'll add my biggest gripe to the mix: Road runs! I think the road runs are the best thing about the club really, because it gets a lot of these old bikes out on the road, everybody riding together and that's a great thing. The problems for me are twofold. First, the rides have grown to be so popular that they are monster rides, with longer mileages and hundreds of guys. The new expectation now is that as a rider, you must be catered to, with scheduled meals and activities along the way. OK, but I thought we were all grown and capable of doing that ourselves. Secondly, the vast majority of the bikes on road runs are what I consider vintage, not antique! I have, and ride antique bikes, mostly total loss machines, with sidecars. So, when I go on a road run now, all the 40's-80's bikes take off, go fast and leave me in the dust. They knock out a 200 mile ride by lunchtime and are back at the hotel. I'm still cruising along at 45, changing oil at every gas stop and enjoying the scenery by myself. So, for me, why bother? I can ride by myself anytime! Gone are the days of a true "Antique" road run where people come on OLD bikes and it's actually a challenge to do the ride, and we all had a lot of fun doing it together! I'm sorry, but I agree with Eric, anything after 1953 is not an antique, especially a shovelhead, evo, or gold wing! Join a club for those bikes and ride with them. The road run system in place now actually discourages the oldest bikes from participating and encourages newer ones. How about a road run specifically for OLD bikes, like pre 53, or maybe pre war? I've been shot down hard for that concept, because it would eliminate too many guys that only have newer bikes. Well, have a vintage ride then! I guess I've become a grumpy old man.....

I had a conversation with a friend yesterday about this very thing. I've decided to not attend any of the road runs this year, I don't like seeing shovelhead taillights. I'll just do my own thing, and maybe organize a ride with a few other total loss buddies. We can chug along at our own pace and not be overpowered by all the "new" bikes!

One last gripe on road runs. Where the hell did this notion come from that if you're over 65, or whatever the number is, you can ride whatever you want on a road run. I've seen guys riding their new Harleys, saying "Hey I'm on an antique road run, why are you going so slow?" In 1985, Ben Chesney came to the Rocky Mtn DJ run in Colorado. He walked up to the registration table, with his hat literally in his hand and his head hanging. He told us that his KJ Henderson snapped the crankshaft as he was loading it on the trailer, so he didn't have an old bike. He sheepishly asked if he could ride a 1955 Nimbus, even though the cutoff was 1953. We asked his age and at the time I recall it was over 85. Right there we decided to make the rule that if you're over 85, you can ride a newer bike. So, He did and had a great time. That rule slowly morphed to whatever it is now, I'll have to look in the Road Run rules. Problem is, we're all getting old, so now this rule kicks in and nobody has any reason to ride an old bike anymore!

Sorry, I've gone on too long!

[jcrawford]

Eric & Gene,

I have been witholding my comments until my real copy of the latest AMCA magazine actually arrives in my (Canadian) mailbox.
But, I will say that I happily recall the days of the first Colorado "DJ" Runs which then evolved into "Nat'l Road Runs". Back then I was able to ride my recently completed '48 Chief along with what seemed to be at least one third or more much older mostly American made motorcycles. It was then that I first met good guys like you and other early Rocky Mtn. Chapter folks, Carl Vandre, Stu Adams, Jeff Grigsby and friends, also Rich Ostrander, the Wichita, KS crew, and many more riding on antique and vintage machines such as your Indian sidecar rig. So, I was able to see and enjoy both eras as we rode along together. Later, there was George Yarocki, Mort and Dottie Wood, Max Bubeck, Jerry Hatfield and more. I'm not just name dropping here, only supporting your view with some of the usual suspects I was pleased to meet along the way. Another memorable example was years later on at our Evergreen Chapter Road Run at White Pass, WA. Jeff McGeary was on his belt drive Harley with his young son on the rrear fender seat pad! The best part of all of this is good friends I have made along the way while having fun both in the east and west..

My recollection of first knowing of the "age 65 or more" provision was when Bud Catlett was on a 60's BMW on a CA or OR Road Run, and having said that I have also enjoyed riding a '71 and a "75 BMW R series on a Nat'l Road Run (and I might have been 65 by then!)
Happy, Healthy New Year to all,
John

[Rubone]

That reminds me of the early DJs. I was a new member even though I had been messing with old junk for a while before I joined. New Mexico in those days was just wasteland if you were into old bikes. When I joined I think there were 4 members in the entire state, so I gravitated to the Colorado guys who had stuff happening. My first DJ I rode my 44UL sidecar rig in police trim from home with my then girlfriend and now wife of 35 years in the sidecar. I got to meet lots of great folks and it got my interests really spun up. We did various RRs around the country for a few years, mostly with our '47s, a Knuckle and a 45.
Regretfully I find that I am not very interested in most current club events, and cannot see that changing anytime soon. It just doesn't feel the same.

[PRG]

Howdy chaps,

Road Runs, absolutely best aspect of the AMCA, still doing them but those were definitely the good old days and, most of all, good fellas.

[PRG]

[RichO]

John and Peter those photos sure bring back memories. I met John on the 1987 DJ run and this past October was my 39th National road run and last. Loved everyone of them People and places. Our chapter held our first in 1989. That's when the AMCA was the AMCA and not the shadow of it's former self it is now. Just my three cents.

[PRG]

Howdy Rich,

The jaunty chap leaning against that pickup was a retired seedsman living in AZ, I’m going to say nearly 90 years old, his grandson acting as his personal sag wagon which he did not need. He navigated effortlessly thru the Ozark mountains over 3 days aboard a crusty mag powered Scout with absolutely no lights,electricals on it except the mag ground wire wrapped around the handle bars, the exposed core flapping in the wind till needed to be touched to any metal surface.

[ammorest]

Although I've only been on two National Road Rides they were great! Good riding and good people. Peter, you remember the one when my friend Billy ran off the road on his '38 Indian 4. I was riding ahead of him on my '37 Harley UL. By the time I got turned around and back to him our members were already pulled over to help. Rose was holding him down so he wouldn't move. Others picked his bike up and called 911. I think it was Robin and Elmer who went to get a trailer to take his bike back to the motel Billy recovered with only bruises and a mild concussion. Sadly, Billy passed away a couple years ago. I miss him.
Peter is that Larry Wood with his back to the camera by the red Indian 4? I think I recognize the hair and the jacket.
Dave

[ammorest]

Forgot to mention these were Blue Ridge Chapter National Road Rides in '95 and '98.
Dave

[PRG]

Howdy sir

Indeed it is, He showed up for Steamboat Springs in 2000 with that Four filled with tropical Florida 60wt that turned into molasses at that cold elevation, Took 4 of us to push him off. Being an elegant gent of leisure he had to stop daily en route bout 0900 for a Bloody Mary and to read the Wall St. Journal. At the annual Indian breakfast ride at Bike Week, he was the leader seen here with Doc Batsleer as we depart Down the Hatch in Ponce Inlet. He always led the way on something exotic, Ace, 36 Knuckle, etc…but now in his late 80’s took to riding something a little easier to start and maneuver like this Chief.

Yes I remember Billy’s crash, not even seasoned dirt biking experience was going to save someone from that one. Little background, that stunning 38 4 was an ex Muncie Indiana state police bike that made its grand entrance at Buzz Kanter’s Klassix Museum Indian Day show in about 1997 time frame, it was featured in an issue of his magazine, deep blue, highly original to include NOS diamond tread Firestones. I noted they were hard as a rock then. Along comes that Road Run, Billy now into antiques in a very big way having bought it. You still have those tires on it or got some new Coker’s? Nope, it’ll be alright. Next day, boom, he goes down on rain slicked Blue Ridge Pkwy.


.

[exeric]

Little background, that stunning 38 4 was an ex Muncie Indiana state police bike that made its grand entrance at Buzz Kanter’s Klassix Museum Indian Day show in about 1997 time frame, it was featured in an issue of his magazine, deep blue, highly original to include NOS diamond tread Firestones.

That '38 Four previously belonged to, and was brought to Florida in the early '70s by Bernie Morgan. He was a high roller, with a great collection of early, and very desirable motorcycles. He was an AMCA member for a short time and sponsored an AMCA National meet at his Sarasota, Florida ranch. I heard he was a type A personality that didn't like it when things didn't go his way (unlike any of us

[jcrawford]

As I have a fond recollection of meeting and riding along with them years ago when the two men in a photo above came to one of our B.C. Road Runs (riding though at a safe distance...you'll see why...)
I wish to add that the old gentleman character leaning against the back of the white Dodge pickup in the above photo is W,R. 'Bill' Felton who lived in Big Timber, Montana and his grandson is in the back. Bill rode a trusty '28 101 Scout and that may be a Jr. Scout in the pickup bed beside it. I am a little frustrated that I can't remember his grandson's name, mainly because he offered me a premium cigar to enjoy with some sippin' bourbon one evening. Both were great guys and were most welcomed, with one precaution. This was the motivation for the "safe distance" approach....Bill openly admitted that he had less than good eyesight, and that it would not be keeping him off his beloved 101 Scout! A real trooper in the Ben Chesney mold.