AMCA magazine

[exeric]

Received the July/August Vol.64 No.4 of 'The Antique Motorcycle' magazine the other day. I always appreciate the effort that goes into making that a reality for us AMCA members, but an old grouch can't not complain. The Oley coverage was good, but is it really necessary to devote 2 (two) full color pages (pages 38,39) to a close-up of a 1962 panhead gas tank? I know it's arty-farty to do that in photojournalism, but those 2 pages could have been divided into 8 pictures of motorcycles that were at Oley. Oley gets some of the best looking antique motorcycles in the world, and anyone could throw a rock and easily hit one or take pictures of many bikes at that place. . . Personally, I want to see pictures of the gorgeous motorcycles that members bring to our National meets.

[Speeding Big Twin]

I read a lot of articles in The Antique Motorcycle. For example in the current issue the story by Greg Williams was of particular interest to me because my first bike was a Triumph Twenty-One. In that story I even learnt a few things I did not know before.

Also interesting were the articles beginning on pages 32 and 42.
Eric

[Rubone]

I have decades of new still in the mailer club magazines. For years I paid for two full memberships, one for me and one for my wife. I only opened one but got two. They are available but only as a lot. Not even sure of starting and stopping dates without digging them out.

[41craig]

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

I put my old my old AMCA mags on Ebay and got 99 cents. I got more for my old chopper mags. It was worth the money to free up my closet space!

[chuckthebeatertruck]

...disc brake(s) are my personal definition

Disc brakes were available on Douglas Motorcycles in 1923 and used by Douglas for the TT races in 1926.

A lot of what we consider: "modern" technology was tried and in many cases offered for several seasons by major makers between 1900 and 1925. The first 25 years of motorcycling in the 20th century were a hot bed of creativity.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

There are two things which contribute strongly to the "direction" of our NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL magazine:

1) Whether members submit articles with quality photos
2) Whether there is sufficient advertising revenue to support the print run

The first thing is dependent on all of us as members. We'll only get out of the magazine what we put in. The editor is some what "stuck" filling in their own articles if there is not enough content. It is the bane of all club/chapter magazine/newsletter editors.

The second is dependent on whether advertisers see value in the magazine and membership. Generally, the broader the base, the more advertising you can sell. If the magazine is totally devoted to true antique bikes say prior to 1919; then the number of advertisers will drop accordingly as the market and the base is smaller. The end result would be a death spiral and a greatly diminished magazine.

Balance of articles is the key and whilst you may dislike David Edwards and the old Cycle World -- he's pretty darn easy to talk to (via email) and pretty open to suggestions. He also will edit your copy into something professional. You can easily transfer articles AND pictures to him using a gmail account and google drive -- which is FREE to use. Just remember, he's not an "employee" of the Club in a traditional sense -- he's one of us with a particular skill set and he'll get back to you in a couple of weeks, not hours.

Therefore, if you have a gripe and want to see something different -- then WRITE THE ARTICLE. Don't say it "can't be done" or that you "don't know how." Edwards has his email listed twice in the magazine. Just reach out. You can also consider an "article" like Ted Borman shares 6 times a year -- an extended photo essay. Then, it's a matter of quality images that tell your story. Our modern cell phones make this a lot easier than in the days of film!

It really is that easy and, yes, I've done it myself. Recently, too.

Usually, the reply gripe to my suggestion to write the article follows along the lines of: "well, I"m not a writer." That's OK. If you have trouble writing -- why don't you ask another member if they will help you with your article. There's a lot of folks who will help -- but not if you don't ask. And, if you "don't know enough" -- what does that actually mean? Does it mean you know a lot more than the average person but less than your mentor/hero? If so; you still have a lot to share and, if you're right that young folks don't know anything . . .than you'd be doing the club and young people a service by sharing.

[T. Cotten]

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.

I keep my issues by the 'throne', Eric!

...Cotten

[exeric]

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.

[Omarttentmaker]

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?

[knucklehead 61]

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.

[Steve Slocombe]

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.

[Architect]

...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.

[T. Cotten]

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

[pisten-bully]

So what is the cut off? What is Antique?

...disc brake(s) are my personal definition

[RichO]

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.