Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

AMCA magazine

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #16
    Peter,

    GREAT pictures!!! That's what road runs should be, filled with OLD bikes. Not a shovelhead or evo in sight! There is just something about motoring down the road on a 80 or 90 year old motorcycle with a bunch of other like minded fools, all trying to keep them running but having a great time doing it!

    Comment


    • #17
      I really like the pic of Smitty with his modified Sport Scout. When Blackhawk's had road runs he would ask the next stop & he would be there when they caught up to him! He helped me with my brother's little base racer. Sure miss that guy.

      Comment


      • #18
        In my not so humble opinion, the AMCA road runs were and still are the best part of belonging to the AMCA. That said, they sure are not what they once were and they are not as much fun. Probably the biggest complaint I have, is that they have been made into such big productions, with way to many entrants. Road runs that I started going to in the 90s typically had less than 100 riders that all stayed in one venue and had one banquet meal. Those events were more "intimate." When did it come about when we had to be fed "three squares." My next biggest complaint, is the age of the motorcycles, and because of that factor, the choice of roads. With 70s and newer shovelheads and evos, along with gold wings, "sport bikes", etc., the routes chosen are typically roads that accommodate faster and more traffic. Many of the more recent road runs I have been on do not include as many of the slow, winding, relaxing "fun" roads, or even roads that I feel I can keep up with traffic on a 40s era bike. I agree with Gene that it's not so much fun to get passed all day long on straight roads by "modern" bikes and end up riding by yourself.
        To me complaints should not be voiced without some solutions presented. Therefore, I suggest that, at least, some road runs be limited to smaller number of entrants at smaller venues. Also, I suggest that some road runs be limited to specific years, such as pre-1950 or pre-1960. A former AMCA board member told me not to long ago, "Your chapter can run a road run any way you want. Just present it to the national." I don't know if that is entirely true, but it's worth a shot.
        I am planning on 3 road runs this year and I trust will have good times. The seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and riding old bikes on roads I have not previously traveled still brings me joy. However, I miss the smaller, less structured road runs where all riders were actually riding "old" bikes.

        Comment


        • #19
          Gene, I remember the early runs with mostly a bunch of World War II vets behind the bars on clincher tires, sans front brakes, and banded ones in the rear. But they timed out. you didn't even see many shirted Chiefs or Knuckles back then. A powerplus, VL, J model, 15 Indians and harleys cause they had 3 speeds.a rare Super X or Lanes Cyclone. Back country roads but those now are crowded with fast city folks to run over you.I have still found runs that have less than 100 riders,The guys I've ridden with usually go of script to meet our needs.
          DrSprocket

          Comment


          • #20
            The last road run I attended was maybe 15 years ago in West Virginia. Tried to attend the banquet, but the establishment where it was beng held was up a long narrow road with little parking near the building. The way attendees parked along the road and in front of the place made it almost impossible to find a spot to park. Later that eveing at the host hotel, moonshine was being passed around the parking lot. It was then i thought maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ride in a group with these people in the morning. Left the next morning and haven't attended a road run since.

            Comment


            • #21
              48 Flatty (Greg?): I agree with your message completely. I've asked 2 different board members over the years about the Rocky Mtn Chapter hosting a road run with bike age limits other than 35 years old. Both times I was told emphatically NO! The explanation given was that in doing so, we would exclude many members from participating because they don't have bikes that old. That wouldn't be fair to them. In addition, it would hit the younger generation most of all, because they rarely have OLD bikes. I hope that someone on the current board is reading this and could chime in. We're big enough now that we could have different themes in the road runs and still have great attendance. Perhaps the AMCA should consider different classes, based on age, such as the European model of Vintage, Veteran and Classic with road runs specifically targeted to these years. Obviously shorter, smaller rides for the oldest group and up in size and mileage from there.

              So, back to the plan of organizing small, personal group rides with a theme. I've thought of a few ideas:

              The Hindenburg Ride: Only bikes manufactured before the Hindenburg blew up! Sounds ominous, but could be fun!
              The Total Loss run: Only machines with a total loss oiling system, and that doesn't include a shovelhead that leaks a quart every 200 miles!
              AMCA Heritage Ride: Only 1953 and older machines allowed, as was the case when it all started back in 1984.
              The Knucklehead Ride: Only 36-47 HD OHV machines allowed. Pretty simple theme, but no shortage of bikes there.
              Pre War Ride: Anything made before WWII
              The Schwinn Ride: Anything made by Schwinn, so 1912-31, Excelsior or Henderson
              The 3 legged Support Group: For sidecar rigs only. This changes everything, as sidecar rigs tend to go slower and longer days aren't as much fun. It would also be a great way to include wives, partners and kids.

              One last thing, about the 65 age thing.... I looked in the AMCA policies and procedures for road runs and it specifically says that any member over 65 can ride whatever they want on a road run. Well, look around at any AMCA meet and you'll quickly discover that covers the vast majority of the members that participate! So, who are we trying to help here? I get it, maybe there are a few guys over 65 that can't manage an old bike any longer but want to participate. By having this age limit so low, the club is actually discouraging the riding of older bikes and encouraging riding modern bikes. I've seen plenty of able bodied guys on modern bikes on a national road run! Sounds contradictory to the Club's mission! I'm not sure how that morphed from our 1985 rule that over 85 you can ride a newer bike. I recall being on a lot of rides with guys who were well into their 80's and even 90's, such as Howard Wagner, Harry Dawson, Bud Redmond, Smitty, Rich Schultz and more.

              Guess this all comes back around to Eric's original post of how the AMCA isn't about ANTIQUE motorcycles any more.......

              Comment


              • #22
                So what is the cut off? What is Antique? I personally do not think of a car or bike from the 60's the same way as a JD, but that is a 60 year old machine.

                Telling stories about the mid eighties and guys riding bikes from the 40's, well that would be a 40-45 year old bike. My "modern" Shovelhead is 55 years old!?!?!?

                Comment


                • #23
                  35 and older. If you have never planned and put on a road run than it's really hard to comment on how you would like it to be. One even if you limit the number of riders because you want it in a cool scenic place is there an affordable hotel in the area, back country roads with gas available. eating places that can handle a lunch crowd of at least 50 riders, hence the lunches chapters have been providing as of late in roadside parks and such.figuring routes, following a budget and much much more, just the tip of the iceburg.you used your vacation time, hauled half way across the country your old bike breaks down and can't be repaired but your newer spare is in the trailer for backup. What to do, what to do.
                  DrSprocket

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Originally posted by Architect View Post
                    So what is the cut off? What is Antique?
                    ...disc brake(s) are my personal definition
                    Pisten Bully is Harry Roberts in Vermont.

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      So,...

                      What's two or three decades of this magazine worth in hardcopy, Folks? (Too big and heavy to haul to D-port..)

                      My dues only serve me to access this forum; The mag gets brief attention before stacked in the 'reading room'.

                      Sorry I got back to ascribed topic,

                      ...Cotten
                      AMCA #776
                      Dumpster Diver's Motto: Seek,... and Ye Shall Find!

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Originally posted by pisten-bully View Post

                        ...disc brake(s) are my personal definition
                        Well my Shovel has mechanical front drum and juice rear drum, but she will cruise 70 MPH two up on the highway all day. It becomes a difficult conversation and I understand both sides.

                        The Chase was setup by Classes, could a Road Run be setup the same way. Give the older/smaller displacement bikes a head start or maybe a shorter route.

                        I imagine setting up a Run is a major task, maybe we should just enjoy them for what they are, a good excuse to ride a motorcycle with friends and future friends.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Dear Eric, just finished reading my magazine. Yes, a long article about Steve McQueen and the auction value of all his stuff, to follow that long article of photo memories in the last magazine. But look at the judging results. When I started judging in the last century it was all Class 3 and 4 Harleys with a few Indians, now the centre of gravity has moved to Class 6 and 7 with many more marques. That makes us the old farts in the Club, like the 'brass car' guys in the AACA now outnumbered by the younger muscle car fans. If you want to see more coverage of 'really antique' bikes we need to write the articles ourselves. And on Road Runs, I've had great fun and met good people on the runs I've attended.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            For what it's worth, I am hosting the oregon trail chapters 2025 amca national road run at my house/shop/property in cottage grove, oregon 3 days after the dixon, california amca swap meet.
                            I am limiting it to only 100 riders to keep it intimate & personal.
                            When I hosted a chapter ride last year we had a gentleman riding a 1921 JD, & I rode my 1928 JDH & 33 VLD. There were a few other 30's & numerous 40's bikes as well.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Originally posted by Steve Slocombe View Post
                              Dear Eric, just finished reading my magazine. Yes, a long article about Steve McQueen and the auction value of all his stuff, to follow that long article of photo memories in the last magazine. But look at the judging results. When I started judging in the last century it was all Class 3 and 4 Harleys with a few Indians, now the centre of gravity has moved to Class 6 and 7 with many more marques. That makes us the old farts in the Club, like the 'brass car' guys in the AACA now outnumbered by the younger muscle car fans. If you want to see more coverage of 'really antique' bikes we need to write the articles ourselves. And on Road Runs, I've had great fun and met good people on the runs I've attended.
                              Speaking of the current issue, I had to smile when I looked closedly at the cover photo. Anybody else notice the custom toolbox? I'm talking about the pair of channel locks bungeed ( or rubber-banded) to the crossbar! And what is that bulb behind that in the same area? Is this a trials bike with no headlight but a equipped with a bulb horn?

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                I received Volume 64 Number 3 of the 'Antique Motorcycle' earlier this week. It is 82 pages which I leafed through and then put it on the shelf.
                                Eric Smith
                                AMCA #886

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X