Chief Blackhawk Chapter RIP?

[starklite]

(I have not seen this posted on this board - and have been curious as to why? Too inflammatory?)

I've heard that the Chief Blackhawk Chapter is now just Chief Blackhawk and no longer affiliated with the AMCA as they took a vote to remove themselves from the AMCA.

Personally I am saddened to hear this news, as I feel chapters may have disagreements with the National, but in the long run everyone is stronger staying together than being separated. Short term disagreements can be worked out, and solved over time. The National feeds riders to the chapters and the chapters feed members to the national, all in the name of keeping old bikes on the road. Without the chapters and the national, a good percentage of our motorcycle heritage would end up in garages and museums instead of on the open road.

I've enjoyed attending the Davenport Swap meet for the past 20+ years. It has always been a awesome meet, and have met a lot of people at the meet.

I know that Chief Blackhawk is continuing the meet, however my opinion this meet will slowly decline in attendance. Especially since this date is now open for Chapters of the AMCA to hold a National meet on Labor Day weekend.

So if a Chapter holds a National Meet on the same weekend - AMCA Members and Vendors will have a choice: Do you attend the New Labor Day Weekend AMCA National Meet, or do you attend a well known independent club meet that was successful in past years (but successful because it was a National meet affiliated with the AMCA - and successful because of the HARD WORK donated by the club's members)

In my opinion - it will be a hard choice. As a member of the AMCA and vendor - you want to support the National and the Clubs affiliated with the National, but Blackhawk has had great meets for years..... However, in 2012 it was not a National meet, it was a regional meet. I've talked to multiple vendors, participants, and people who came to the meet, and they noticed it was not as well attended, they could not find parts they wanted/needed and were talking about not coming back next year. They mentioned substituting there trip to Davenport with trips to Oley or Wauseon. Many of these are foreign participants who come to the meet with $20-50k plus to spend on parts and bikes. So it only takes a few of these guys not to show, and then vendors see sales decline and stop coming. It appears the rock is rolling down hill and gaining speed....

I asked a few Blackhawk members and was told - the meet had the most vendors ever - But my eyes showed me many empty spots all over the fairgrounds, so while a record number of vendors signed up, not all showed up.

In conclusion, I am saddened to see the disagreement between this great former chapter and the National get to a point that they have separated all ties. I think it is a short term disagreement that is going to cause long term decline in the once great Davenport Motorcycle Meet and Swap. My hope would be for cool heads to prevail and settle there differences so everyone can continue enjoying the camaraderie of riding/talking/breathing/living Antique Motorcycles!

Gary Stark
Starklite Cycle
951-968-3070

[starklite]

I just wanted to clarify the title of this post.

I placed RIP due to the fact that Chief Blackhawk is no longer a CHAPTER of the AMCA -

They are now an unaffiliated local motorcycle club with an interest in Antique motorcycles.

So RIP the Chief Blackhawk Chapter of the AMCA

and weclome to :
Chief Blackhawk motorcycle club.

Although - I would like to see them once again as a chapter of the AMCA

Gary Stark
Starklite Cycle
951-968-3070

[KNUCK]

Thank you for the update Gary. One would think it should have been mentioned here by now.

I am not sure what will come of it. I know in Motorsports sometimes these things work out and some do not. Just one positive example was the World of Outlaws sprint car series. When they broke away years ago it really took off. Maybe it is the 501(c)(7) tax issue????? Time will tell.

[knuckcrazy]

The place was packed!!!!!
the weather drove most people home me included.
Thursday and Early Friday was pretty much it.

[Bill]

I have vended very successfully at Davenport for over 15 years and this year was no different, except that there were more vending spots and more vendors than ever before. With the advent of the Internet, buying and selling parts is much more convenient from the comfort of your easy chair so the Chief Blackhawk meet has become more of a social event than a business event, not just for me but I have heard that same thought expressed by many others.
As long as Chief Blackhawk continues to hold their event, I plan to be there. The AMCA national can hold another event the same week-end if they want to, I'll just have to miss it.

[duffeycycles]

As a Blackhawk it is disturbing to learn this here .I voted and was put off by the insiders [my friends]when asked about the results.did not even here a peep at the christmas party.Sales have been down at every meet I have attended over the last couple of years but my Davenport sales were spectacular this year[I was open on saturday] -so was Waseon.I blame weather and economy for any slow sales this year and last.[There were over 50 Japaneese buyers looking for Knucks this year ,very few found one because they weren't for sale] Long live the Blackhawk meet.

[T. Cotten]

I forsee little change, Folks,..

Although I would welcome a downsizing as Gary predicts, as its too damn big for me already!

But face it, the industry is entrenched.
Commercial providers who meet and exchange ideas among themselves, if not hardware, have been doing it long enough to where it has become THE critical international trade show of the year, not just a county fair where folks clean out their garages and pass out trophys.

A good percentage of vendors pay their booth fee a year ahead, and it is obvious that annual travelers from afar book far ahead as well.
The personnel "infrastructure" that creates and executes the Meet remains intact.
And frankly, the vast majority of vistors who walk the grounds are not that interested in the AMCA anyway,.. even the members!

Meanwhile, I heard Texas wants to secede.

....Cotten

[Rod K]

This year was my 33rd. consecutive year attending and vending at Davenport. I look foreward to it every year like a kid does to Christmas. Lord willing, I'll be back next year.

[Ross]

Gary makes some very good points. I have been going since the 1970's and I worry that my grandchildren will not be taking me to Davenport in my old age. Worse that they will not enjoy the fun i've had there over the years.

[bikerdds]

Blackhawk Chapter RIP

The Blackkhawk Chapter would never have been compelled to do what has occurred if it wasn't for the acrimony going on between their group and the National board. There has been finger pointing in both directions. There have been claims of who is to blame, etc. Regardless of what one believes or who is really to blame, the roots are in the fact that while we are a National organization, we have an archaic form of government at the highest level that has had more to do with splintering this club then most members are aware or care to think about. The question should be, which chapter is next to RIP? Is that what it is going to take before the board wakes up and realizes the enemy is us (the board's form of government). Until there is a reorganization in how we do business, meaning, direct member involvement (members voting for their board and officers, etc) there will be another Blackhawk chapter in time. Until that time, you still have just the rights to a magazine for your membership and nothing more. Let us pray it isn't RIP, AMCA someday.

[exeric]

And Merry Christmas to you bikerdds.

[T. Cotten]

Bikerdds wrote: "....there will be another Blackhawk chapter in time. .. .."
Bikerdds!

I think you mean another AMCA chapter to cover the region?
(The Chief Blackhawk organization is intact, and might be picky about the name.)

If so, I shall support it as well, if it is within my reach.
Beware however, that if it is too close, I may even participate.

.....Cotten

[portagepan]

Oh no, here we go again....................... Mike

[bikerdds]

Cotten, you misunderstood my comment; perhaps could have said it differently. I meant, there will be another chapter do what Blackhawk did, not a chapter to replace Blackhawk.

[rwm]

did the board take away everybodys antique motorcycles? has there been a ban on fun? who needs a board to tell them how to enjoy things? let them piss up a rope. and the same for any club that wants to leave. dont let the door hit you.at the end of the day does it matter what knitting circle you are in? just have fun with your bikes!