AMCA Facebook page

[48hdbob1]

It's become a "rich dude" thing. Much like the old car hobby/passion/obsession.

[pem]

It's become a "rich dude" thing. Much like the old car hobby/passion/obsession.

I'm with you. The greed in the world and this country is obscene. Profits at any cost.

[kiwi tibbs]

Can I put my 2 bobs worth in.
I'm a new member in the Uk, Im 41 not quite a old codger but the bones say other wise(haha).
As far as trying to bring in younger blood, I personally think it is what it is.

You either like older things and appreciate them for the quality and beauty of them or you don't.
I've got a work mate a couple years younger than me and when I push hand sign writing over cut vinyl his reaction is you need to move with the times.
I find that attitude sad but he's intitled to his opinion, when he asks me hows your bike going and I tell him I've just replaced the brushes in my genny or adjusted the pushrods etc he says why do you own a old piece of junk, why don't you buy a modern bike press the button and go.
I just laugh it off because to me the joy of my bike is that I am learning her quirks every day and I enjoy that, he like many other young people don't get it and don't want to get it.
If a young person is into old vehicles they will eventually find the right clubs with the people that they want to learn from, and become part of it.

As far as forums etc they come and go, like what has been said above they live in a fast pace world and haven't got time.
Which is another reason I suppose that lots of younger people don't get into old things because it takes time and patience to maintain and learn.

I only joined facebook last year I think, soley to keep in touch with a crowd of guys and girls I have met at a event over here in the UK which 9 years ago was awesome, but it has now become a victim of its own success and has attracted alot of different people, some like it some don't but things change.
I don't try and find old school friends or work mates on facebook because I only want it for old motor bikes and sign writing.

My goal is to own a VL or 45 and hopefully I will reach that and then be able to tap into the knowledge on here when I need it.

I would'nt waste energy and get angry at certain posts because there is always going to be idiots out there, they will eventually go away or just delete them.

Sorry for the long post and the spelling mistakes but I am a sign writer so thats my excuse.

[stevekleincustom]

Dear All;
This has been an excellent thread. In many ways there is no "right" or "wrong" but just the vast array of individual opinions that should result from a 60+ year old organization dedicated to these old bikes, their history and the multitude of associated interests that follow such as swap meets, memorabilia, literature, art, clothing, racing, Road Runs etc... Yes the world changes constantly, as do the prices of the machines. But the fact remains that unless the AMCA as a Club makes subtle and ongoing adaptable changes, we will be left behind. As stated earlier we all should be cognizant of not losing existing members, but also be open to the interests and thoughts of the next generation coming into the sport behind us. A few "old timers" may decide "the hell with this" and quit, but others will step forward and provide volunteerism and support in their place. What I am babbling about here is this phenomenon and discussion topic is certainly not new. I guarantee it was a concern and topic of discussion 40, 30 and 20 years ago as well. But the AMCA has survived none-the-less!

The difference now it seems is with the Internet, group emails, Website Bogs, Facebook, Instagram (et all) individuals are seemingly empowered to send forth (in some cases spew garbage) their viewpoints within moments to millions. I am certainly not saying that on average these individuals each gave sufficient thought to their attitude, language, submitted photo or commentary meeting the ideals and intention of the AMCA before hitting the "send button" but we as "purists" should be big enough to deal with it even if it means we hit the "delete button" or the "trash can icon." The same exercise we did for years when we got "junk mail" in the mailbox at the end of our driveway. It ended up in the burn barrel. Change can be good, but there will be barbs and thorns to prick us all at times in the process.

[46EL]

It is a little after 6AM 10-21-15 and just woke up to an email from a friend who tells me to check out the facebook page.
Some guys posts nothing more than pure pornography either a photo or a video and who knows if he is a AMCA Member or not???
I have stated before that I am to a point in my life that I have very little use and or love for this Club anymore.
If it was not for my need to vend at two meets here in the Northeast I would be gone. After so many years it is sad but true.
Hello??? Someone up there in Club Management have their eyes open? Do you realize you have let someone create a monster?
And who ever created that monster cannot manage it. This Forum was cleaned up from all the garbage that was once posted here.
And now you have even a bigger mess that the whole entire world can see??? And don't cry about not having enough help to do so managing the Facebook Page.
That should have been thought out first before you decided to let NON AMCA Members post on our Clubs Facebook page. 46EL

[fciron]

Your friend's time would be better spent reporting those posts to the page admin rather emailing people who can't do anything about it.

Trouble is easy to find if you look for it.

[Chris Haynes]

As Steve posted, the organization must "adapt".

Start digitizing by canning the entire judging program, and replacing it with an open and voluntary Roster of Machines.
Then their continuing History can be recorded and peer-reviewed, and those of you who think trophies are important can still honor what you like, without pressuring the owners to destroy History.

Just a thought.Tom,


....Cotten

Tom,
The judging is about a lot more than a ten dollar trophy. It is an opportunity to have multiple people go over your prized machine and find anything you may have overlooked. Most of us strive to have bikes that are 100% correct.
With that being said I fell there is a need for an additional class. We have Original and Restored classes now. If a 75 year old motorcycle is unrestored but during its lifetime it had been repainted and some parts upgraded it gets hit with severe point deduction. There should be a Preserved class. Such a machine is history and history needs to be preserved. In the class of Unrestored Race Bikes they are allowed to be judged in the condition they were raced in. Why should it be any different for a surviving street machine?

[Chris Haynes]

It's become a "rich dude" thing. Much like the old car hobby/passion/obsession.

Wow! I didn't realize that I was rich dude. Thanks for letting me know.
I wasn't an "Old Codger" when I first joined the club 40 years ago. But I am definitely an "Old Codger" now. It is said that with age comes wisdom. I agree. The club is a great place for youngsters to glean wisdom from the "Old Codgers" who have been there and done that.

[Chris Haynes]

I'm with you. The greed in the world and this country is obscene. Profits at any cost.

One of my pet peeves is people who make a living buying and reselling parts and machines. I have always called them "Profiteers". They are the ones most responsible for escalating prices. Buy a bike for a fair price then double the price to support their lifestyle. Filling youtube with videos full of false information and outright lies in order to make a sale.

[T. Cotten]

One of my pet peeves is people who make a living buying and reselling parts and machines. I have always called them "Profiteers". They are the ones most responsible for escalating prices. Buy a bike for a fair price then double the price to support their lifestyle. Filling youtube with videos full of false information and outright lies in order to make a sale.

We all hate outright liars, Chris!

But we cannot make profit itself a sin.
I call them "parts pirates".

I know who they are when I walk into a Meet booth, and the prices suddenly triple, even though I only offer services, and do not "picker".

My issue with all of the hot 'social media' is that there is endless platform after platform that really do few of us service. Who needs another endless learning curve? That's for videogamers.

....Cotten
PS: You look like a 'rich dude' from down here.
PPS: The judging system has "defaulted". Many "judges" know far less than the "contestant".
The only solution is to abolish the system in favor of on-line peer review: An open Roster of Members's Machines as they are now, and in the Future. The Future is what History is all about.

[exeric]

I've always wondered what it was like for collectors of Egyptian, or Grecian antiquity back in the 19th, and early 20th century. I am always reminded of our venerable sage, Bud Cox who said; "today's high prices are tomorrow's bargains."

[T. Cotten]

I can't even afford the "data" to pay attention.

Who is going to fix that destroyed History?

....Cotten

[Rubone]

Part of human nature is to "destroy history". Every civilization over the time of man has destroyed much of what came before. Many of us are very guilty of "destroying history" by bobbing, chopping, and otherwise modifying machinery within our reach. So is trying to save that modified result any more important than the original? The next person may change it again. So is preserving that the more important yet? People lose sight of reality in pursuit of their own set of values, desires, agenda, etc.
No ones desire to save is any more important than anothers desire to change. That is part of being human, and of being an individual. Most members of this group would like to preserve, yet many did not embrace that several decades ago. Why would we expect those who come next to share that desire? We didn't worry about it, and we cannot expect that the next generation will care to do so...
Who is going to rebuild the history being lost in the Middle East right now. Likely no one.
And as for affording to be able to enjoy this hobby, most members of this club are working class stiffs who struggle to enjoy what they like. So sniveling isn't getting any sympathy. Always remember, "you create your own reality".

[Tom Lovejoy]

I agree profiteers have wrecked the hoby for me, taking the fun right out of it.

[duffeycycles]

The buyers that pay todays prices are as guilty as the sellers.For many years Indian guys refused to pay Harley prices for the used parts and bikes.They kept the values of indians down-not anymore,too many people want old bikes and Indians are cool too.