35 year rule has this finally reached a limit of what is an antique? 1985 is it?

[BigLakeBob]

Any of you care for a young guy's perspective on this topic that's likely to hurt some feelings?

Sounds great, what age are you and what is your perspective?

[Steve Swan]

Any of you care for a young guy's perspective on this topic that's likely to hurt some feelings?

go for it.

[KNUCK]

So we all see the numbers in play. Class 8 could be the freeze point, that would mean starting in 2024 a 1989 motorcycle would be the limit for the show, judging or sale of parts at AMCA meets. Class 7 would really have been a good point to stop but since class 8 is already alive this is where we would be. Antique is what makes this club special, if 50 years from now the needs change then the leaders can make that change as they see fit. I hope we don't miss the opportunity now.

[govmule84]

Any of you care for a young guy's perspective on this topic that's likely to hurt some feelings?

[T. Cotten]

Yes, "antique" is the operative word in the club's name.

My momma was an antique dealer, Folks,..

..Back when antiques was antiques, and it had to be a hundred years old.

Funny there warn't none when the club was founded.

....Cotten

[Steve Swan]

In the vast world of antique collecting, almost every interest has defined what period they consider 'antique'. That's everything from books, clocks, cars, furniture, paintings, tools, guns, pottery, coins, musical instruments, etc.etc.etc. Often, an antique definition, for collectors is ambiguous, and not easily defined but more based on an era, or acknowledgement of a classic era for a collectible object. I think in our hobby, most will agree on what they consider pioneer, and antique motorcycles, but classic is where everything goes pear shaped. I am opinionated about what I, and many others consider the classic era of motorcycles, and I do think a club that has 'ANTIQUE' in it's name should have a cut-off date of 1975 . That doesn't mean bikes made after '75 shouldn't be acknowledged by the AMCA, but I don't think post '75 motorcycles have earned the antique title yet. I've enjoyed this debate and hope more members share their opinions.

Yes, "antique" is the operative word in the club's name.

[exeric]

In the vast world of antique collecting, almost every interest has defined what period they consider 'antique'. That's everything from books, clocks, cars, furniture, paintings, tools, guns, pottery, coins, musical instruments, etc.etc.etc. Often, an antique definition, for collectors is ambiguous, and not easily defined but more based on an era, or acknowledgement of a classic era for a collectible object. I think in our hobby, most will agree on what they consider pioneer, and antique motorcycles, but classic is where everything goes pear shaped. I am opinionated about what I, and many others consider the classic era of motorcycles, and I do think a club that has 'ANTIQUE' in it's name should have a cut-off date of 1975 . That doesn't mean bikes made after '75 shouldn't be acknowledged by the AMCA, but I don't think post '75 motorcycles have earned the antique title yet. I've enjoyed this debate and hope more members share their opinions.

[jorrow]

My point is, the term antique is a constantly evolving description, once you try to describe it, you've dated yourself. To a 90 year old man, most of these bikes aren't that ancient, to a 19 year old, they are. My first panhead cost 1500. That's over, "times are a changing", and we won't be here forever.

[jorrow]

And all this time people said my flip phone was antique, I should have checked here...

[T. Cotten]

Echo: Thanks "skirted" !

Now I know why I shouldn't get involved.

Please consider anyway, Folks,..
If "fifty were the new thirty-five"...
Then we would have fifteen more years to solve the club's obsolescence.

Most of us will be dead and out of its way.

....Cotten

[Steve Swan]

Thanks "skirted" !

[Skirted]

When I started this thread it was to open our eyes to what the club is really about from the start. Great that there was such good input as to what is an antique. I think from what has been said here is that there has always been change to the club, and really most of the time for the good.

The time for another change is now. So to give us all time to settle in with the thought of a fixed time to say what an antique is here is my idea. Class 8 should be the end of it. Just that simple. No need for a class 9,10,etc. Anything beyond would be a pointless mockery to the club founding.

With mass production of today nothing will ever be an antique or unique for any reason. Judging value in the future will mean nothing. It will be like another show in the parking lot of a fast food dive. Everybody gets a participation award just drive on in.

I call upon our board to move on this as soon as reasonable to preserve the future for our club. Class 8 is enough already we really don't need a carbon fiber adorned motorcycle class some day.

Where is that doggone "LIKE" button when you need it!

Agree this great topic is worthy of an agenda item at a future BOD meeting. If for no other reason just to see if it gets any traction. We are a small minority here on this forum. Changing the 35 year designation will be daunting task as its now deeply rooted in the organization.
I decided to re-read the 5 year Strategic Plan to see if there was any relativity. The plan is on the website. From home page click the "ABOUT" tab and go to bottom.

I noticed a common focus on growing and maintaining the membership which is to be expected. This however could be in direct conflict with freezing what we call "antique" because growing the number of qualified bikes is a good way to grow membership on the top end.....but what might happen (risk) on the bottom end? I may have missed it but I did not see directly specific verbiage to what we are discussing here other than perhaps the last bullet point under "Risks" which I included below though not sure exactly what context it was in.

Under the 3 year plan heading #2
"Carefully examine established club criteria regarding the definition of an
“antique” motorcycle, and make recommendations as to potential changes
in those criteria with the goal to create opportunities that attract heretofore
unreached demographics."

Under the 5 Year Plan Appendix A "Areas of Concern"
Is the 35-year rule outdated? Get consensus of membership as to the possibility
of lowering the rule to 25-years as other organizations. “Old Motorcycles” as
Veteran (1914 or earlier), Vintage (1915-30), Post-Vintage (1931-45), Classic
(1946-60), Post-Classic (1961-75) and Modern Classic (1976-90). This
classification uses, in effect, a 25-year rule instead of the current AMCA 35-year
rule.

Under the 5 Year Plan Appendix A "Risks"
Declining interest as the 35-year cut off period starts to include more mass produced
bikes during a period that saw the American brand become stagnate
and lose market share.

Peace

[Steve Swan]

I don't get to retire, Steve?

oh...... I'm sure you will and when you do you'll be missed!

[T. Cotten]

Ha! Cotten, they're always be a few nuts like me piecing together what people viewed as junk 40 years ago who need your services....

I don't get to retire, Steve?

[Steve Swan]

Thanks Steve!

But my question still needs an answer.

I need to hone my career 'exit strategy'.

....Cotten

Ha! Cotten, they're always be a few nuts like me piecing together what people viewed as junk 40 years ago who need your services....

after reading all these posts, i think i am coming full circle back to xEric's thoughts early on, when i believe he said 1975, i wold say nothing newer 1974, the last year for RH shift British motorcycles.... impossible to know what the distant future of AMCA will look like, assuming it survives another 100 or even 50 years....