Younger Membership of AMCA

[46WL]

Being one of the 500 members under the age of 40, I would like to also share my input. I would be interested to know of us 500, how many were fortunate enough to have been born into old motorcycles. I would say most of us. Without our dads (and/or moms) riding knuckleheads, we probably wouldn’t be interested either. I have really enjoyed getting to know all the older gentlemen (and ladies) and sharing my knowledge and learning theirs. I was very fortunate to have a father who kept his old stuff, so I get to enjoy it today. We all know there aren’t a lot of younger people that could afford some of the crazy prices. I have enjoyed the older guys wanting to sell their stuff to me, because I’m young and not out looking to turn and sell it; I’m actually using the parts for bikes I’m building. There is something to say about these guys who give up their parts, even though they could sell it on ebay. There are those who want the younger people to be into the hobby, but there are those who actually support it by helping us out.

[knuckcrazy]

Here is how I see it.
All fine and dandy to sit on here and talk about all this on a web site that if I understand correctly most of the members dont even look at. Go to a meet pull up a chair and watch how the younger generation are treated. There are a few guys out there that show interest and compassion to the younger folks but for the most part they are dismissed as as a nuisance. The desire starts in my opinion prior to the target 20-?? age. It did for most of us didnt it? Remember the first mini bike or tote-goat you rode as a kid? We dont allow the younger people to participate in the meet riding because of Liability. But some of these kids can out ride the drunk adult hethans that cruise around the meet on bikes or the time honored garbage cart they spent the winter months fabricating to out do the other hethans.
Please understand I dont care what ANYONE else does at the meets as long as it is in the interest of old bikes.
I dont think most 20 something folks wake up one morning and say "I'm gonna get into bikes today". It happend alot earlier.
So organize a youth ride / games on the infield (on something with a motor!!), have their parents sign a waiver if needed, I would for my kid as he rides at home just fine.
I'm not saying provide them a ride but any kid who understands what is going on and wants to participate is riding something at home already.
If they are not they can nag the parents so the next year they are.
They would be proud to unload the bike and park it next to Dads for the meet. That builds interest.... "Hey Dad, we going to Wauseon this year, that was cool last time"
My son asked for a membership for over a year from the youth coordinator at the age of 13 and finally got sick of asking and bought one. He went to 5-6 meets a year and was never approached by anyone interested in a young person walking around with motorcycle parts in his hand for his project. He went to a Presidents meeting and never even got a handshake, a "what the hell is that kid doing in here" by directors, youth coordinators, anyone...
He is treated well by a handfull of members on here and at the meets but for the most part our membership could care less about the younger generation.
Our 5-6 meets is reduced to 1 this year as he is not interested if he cant bring his WLA to ride. Maybe next year when he is 16 and has a license we can try it again.
As far as the 20-?? year olds, good luck I feel for you. Stick to what you can afford or save for the high end stuff but above all else RIDE.
Let the hate mail begin

[Knotthed]

Bob,

You are spot on. We need the big shot lawyer to figure out how we can involve the kids, not just write them off as not allowed. Maybe that is another entity to take liability away from the amca.

I could envision a setup at every national event that offered any youngster that could safely operate a bicycle, the opportunity to operate a motorized version with proper PPE. I would think all moto related manufacturers would want to have an opportunity to be a part of it. Like make a wish opportunity to ride a motorized bike for anyone interested. That riding experience is what will hook them for life. That's what set the hooks on us few that our families have provided that experience to.

With the twist of the throttle, the feeling of the machine moving you instead of you moving it......very memorable!

[Shaky Jake]

You know, that's exactly right; it's best to influence them before they're even of age. I wasn't even thinking about that until Bob said it.

When I was in the EAA they had a program where a few pilots would volunteer their time and their airplane, and the 'Young Eagles' program coordinator for the local chapter would arrange with a Cub Scout troop or something to take rides some Saturday. There was a disclaimer that, if I recall correctly, was provided by the national EAA organizations legal folks.

I can tell you exactly when I became interested in motorcycles, I was 11 years old and a guy named Danny Liska came to my Jr. High School and gave us a talk about his motorcycle ride from the artic circle to the tip of South America. I know there are some guys in the AMCA that can talk. Is there a program to coordinate putting them in front of kids like that?

Great discussion.

Kevin

[Knotthed]

The neat thing about using a motor bicycle is that it really is at the heart of where it all began a hundred some years ago. Seems like a great educational opportunity at the same time.

[HD48FL]

The AMCA had a presence at Born Free Meet outside LA this past weekend. The AMCA had a booth donated by the promoters and there were at least a dozen AMCA vendors there. It was a two day event. I was there with Rick Najera and manned our booth for two days. Interesting meet. Some very well respected builders. Unique creations that one would not see at an AMCA local or National Meet. I think it would be a good idea to encourage these builders to come to a National Meet and put on a demonstration of how they work on their bikes. Granted these are not traditional AMCA restorations but they are working with their hands on some old motors and frames. Maybe seeing these builders would encourage the younger people attending these meets to get involved with working on old bikes. Aren't we concerned that the art of working on old bikes for restoration purposes is being lost over time? The AMCA Membership needs to inspire young people to become more involved. This would be one way to do it.

The Born Free meet was exposure to thousands of young people on all types of bikes. Mostly older ones that were modified. Many chopped and bobbed. Not a lot of interest in the AMCA but this may be one of those events that one has to keep working on these young people to convince them that someday the AMCA is a Club that has something to offer them. Remember, many long time AMCA Members got their start chopping and bobbing bikes before they turned to AMCA style restorations.

I was at Born Free as well and enjoyed seeing quite a presence from the AMCA and the vendors. I'm not sure if the guys going to that show quite get the AMCA or not? I'm in my early 40's and have been a member of the AMCA for nearly 10 years now. My first love is choppers and bobbers, but I also love stock machines.

[Lonewolf_51]

Danny Liska also spoke at my Jr. High, and his stories of m/c travel was impressive. He told of traveling across Iraq and being nervous with the long rifles aimed on him. Learned the people pointing guns at him were practicing their aim on a moving target. I got even more enthused about m/c after Danny's talk. This maybe something we could do as a club; go into the schools and teach/show them the world of antique m/c.

[Shaky Jake]

Danny Liska also spoke at my Jr. High, and his stories of m/c travel was impressive. He told of traveling across Iraq and being nervous with the long rifles aimed on him. Learned the people pointing guns at him were practicing their aim on a moving target. I got even more enthused about m/c after Danny's talk. This maybe something we could do as a club; go into the schools and teach/show them the world of antique m/c.

Right.

Since you met Danny, I have to tell you this story; Danny grew up on a farm near Valentine, NE, just a couple of hours from where I live. I was riding past there on my Triumph Tiger once about ten years ago, on my way home from Chamberlain, SD. I decided to take a detour to Valentine because I'd heard that they had a couple of Danny's old BMW's in the little Plains Museum there. As I was getting off of my bike in front of the museum another guy on a Triumph rode past so, of course, he had to stop and chat. We talked about motorcycles for about a half an hour and then I asked him if there was anything good in the museum. He said "yes, they have a couple of my uncles old motorcycles in there." Turns out he's Danny Liska's nephew. So I told him all about how Danny inspired me to start riding. I've been up there to ride with him and his friends a couple of times since then and get drunk in the local tavern while he told me stories about his uncle Danny.

Kevin

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[rwm]

come on the club is like a go go bar. i can afford the entrance fee. look at all the beauties. i just don't have the money to take one home and if i did my wife would kick my ass when i got home with it!
on to the app idea. most app's are horrible. it's easier to access a web site direct.

[Lonewolf_51]

Kevin,
Danny had a simple format with a slide projector/screen that he would set up on the gym floor, and show his pictures with a story. He captured my mind and filled it with dreams of the possibility that I could do this; ride a motorcycle with adventure. I couldn't get it out of my mind that I wanted a bike, and I wanted it now. So, I went to work, saved my money, and in a year bought my first new m/c.; the drive to get up everyday and go to work was knowing I was going to get that bike. I looked forward to each day's work. That was 1973, and it cost $695.00. I never reach the heights that Danny achieved in motorcycling, but I've enjoyed many years of fun and adventure because he took the time to tell his story to some young kids. Must relate to the young kids about our antique bikes, and help them out (God knows I needed tons of help, and I am thankful for it!). Danny Liska did his part to help me out; he instilled the passion and push I needed to get going on getting a motorcycle. The fun and adventure starts from there.

[fillibuster]

Bab, I remember a meet 22 or so years ago, kid on a mini-bike, hit a wall (stuck throttle?), no insurance, can't remember who got stuck with the bill. Wasn't nearly as serious as could have been. .. no helmet either, btw. .
Soon after came the ban on under-age riders.
and I'm shaking my head at the 7-yr-old grandson riding bikes and quads on the farm.

[knuckcrazy]

Bab, I remember a meet 22 or so years ago, kid on a mini-bike, hit a wall (stuck throttle?), no insurance, can't remember who got stuck with the bill. Wasn't nearly as serious as could have been. .. no helmet either, btw. .
Soon after came the ban on under-age riders.
and I'm shaking my head at the 7-yr-old grandson riding bikes and quads on the farm.

Bab, Bob Ill reply to most anything
His parents should get stuck with the bill!!
Too many bull shi+ lawsuites, his kid, his mini bike, his decision to let him ride it, period.
I'm not saying total chaos I'm saying an organized ride like a motorcycle rodeo or field games.
Basic tech inspection, throttle return, brake, proper ppe and a release from the parent to participate.
Allow a spot for the kids that want to show their bikes an area to do so, award trophies, put them in the mag.
Same goes for the older young people, have a dedicated hang out area for them to gather, show their (not so stock) bikes have their own field games.
Pattern it after the VERY successful Born free show, younger folks, a VERY laid back vibe, thats what they are into.
Mentor....there is not a weekend that passes that I dont have a neighborhood kid or young adult working on something in the shop at home.
Some of them were 12 year olds that are now 30 and painting stuff for me or helping me fab and wrench on my own stuff.
Just read the article in the new mag written by the current youth coordinator and he has some great plans, I wish him luck.
Again the current membership in my opinion is not interested in "Youth" there are some that are and some that do but most could care less.
Most will talk a big game but the conversation will trickle down to silence as will this thread.

[fciron]

1017426_10152397493534346_1174890266665115968_n.jpg

Click on this silly little thumbnail to see it bigger, sorry.

I don't know how much you can see in the above photo, but that's our weekly Louisville Vintage Motorworks bike night. I'm one of the old guys at 44 years of age. We get around 50 bikes showing up, most of them older Japanese bikes, about a dozen British and European bikes and an occasional old HD or Indian. There's a handful of folks that show up on newer Harleys because we're a fun crowd. If you've ever felt all alone because your cm400 isn't a Harley or a 200mph sport-bike, we're the guys and gals you want to hang out with.

The group is primarily based around a facebook page, so there's no cost (and darn little benefit) of membership. In addition to fellowship, many of our members are very free with technical advice, so I guess there is some benefit, a new tinkerer can usually find advice, and often someone in the neighborhood, to get his newly acquired "ran when parked" bike going. Aside from bike night, anyone can throw up an idea and see if others want to participate. Put up a time and a place and someone will usually show up to ride with you; get a six-pack and announce a time and people will come to your garage and make fun of you while you work.

What does the AMCA have to offer these folks? Most of their encounters with a Harley are some guy that doesn't wave back on the road. The bikes they aspire to own aren't Knucks and Chiefs but Commandos, Le Mans, or Z1's. Our big event of the year is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, an event at which old American iron is rather thin on the ground; this year and last they've actually made us a featured club in the infield with a bike show and all that jazz.

They already like old motorcycles, that's not the issue. There are other places to go if you like customs or foreign bikes. Supposedly the AMCA has a rolling definition of "antique" as over 35 years old, but it's hard to tell this looking at the website or the magazine. I think there might actually be a place for group that specialized in early American Iron, because there is a core group of people who are interested in that history; an Antique American Motorcycle Club as it were. Or the group could try to be more inclusive, as spelled out in the recent President's letter. Talk to other riders about the love of motorcycles and motorcycling, no matter what they're riding. Show a little appreciation for some skinny hipster's hard work restoring a 70's Puch Moped, he (or she) might be getting in more hours on the road on that thing than you are and he's certainly having a hell of a good time on two wheels. There's no way to tell which of those kids may graduate from a two stroke moped to a HD Hummer or find himself in possession of an uncle's old Shovel.

It's not enough to simply say "we need younger members to survive" you need to be clear about why you need to survive. In some ways a club that welcomes bikes from all over the world with less of a focus on concourse/stock restorations is a very different entity and, in a very real way, something valuable may be lost. However, a club which focuses exclusively on older american bikes faces a shrinking demographic as the people with real life nostalgia for those bikes fade away to be replaced by folks with only a historical interest.

I'll be following this discussion with interest.

[Shaky Jake]

... Our big event of the year is AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,....

Hope to see you guys there! Leaving Wednesday, be there Friday. Got my tickets and my camping pass!

Then on to Wauseon the following weekend!

BTW - do you know if AMA lets campers in on Thursday? Or do I have to wait till Friday morning?

Kevin

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[surfdude]

you have to get them when they are young and be friendly to them when they are older. i got my first ride at 4, never rode again until i got my license and a cheap honda at 17, but the point is i got the bug early. i wave to every single little kid that looks at me when i ride by and i always think "that kid is going to ride someday" plus i will make time to talk to anyone about the bikes. but the various comments are spot on - a lot of younger people don't have time and would rather connect through their social media. a lot but not all.

dan m. is trying to encourage chapter members to hold frequent rides locally instead of only getting together at chapter-sponsored events and to invite non-members to these informal rides. it's a good idea - be visible! put ads that will attract the born free crowd in the mags they read - dice, greasy kulture (dr. sprocket has a column), show class, etc. email the blogs (4Q, church of choppers - some of our members have them and they are good - who doesn't look at bikes and boobs on the internet??) and ask them to post an event. so what if they say no? younger people will start to have interest if they feel welcome.