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

[Steve Swan]

Cotten's observation, "Is the AMCA sustainable?" is a very good one. i don't think it's going to matter much, if any at all, what we think, what we decide, and what we do as it affects things 100 years from now; i can only hope the AMCA will still be around in the year 2118. It sort of makes sense that any chance of the AMCA's existence 100 years from now stands a better chance if interest in old bikes is inclusive not exclusive. Either that or seriously look at what the word "antique" means to the existence of the AMCA after we and all the young folks in 2018 are gone in another 50 or so years. What we decide today stands a good chance of revision or being done away with all together in the future. As it stands, the AMCA's cut-off year for a bike being an "antique" is now 1983. If the AMCA is a club for "antique" motorcycles, then it makes sense (at least to us living in 2018) to use 1983 as a cutoff date for what motorcycles we thnk can belong to the AMCA. 100 years from now, if the AMCA is still exists, there's a reasonable probability those members might feel differently about motorcycles built in 2018 being excluded. I think what we are talking about is handing down the legacy of what enthusiasts of motorcycling's heritage is about and at least somewhat assured. I don't have a clue what that will look like in the year 2118.

[T. Cotten]

Cotten's observation, "Is the AMCA sustainable?" is a very good one. ...

Thanks Steve!

But my question still needs an answer.

I need to hone my career 'exit strategy'.

....Cotten

[frichie68]

In the not-too-distant future, Electric Harleys will be 35 years old, judging them will be exciting . . .
. . . no?

*yawn*

[T. Cotten]

In the not-too-distant future, Electric Harleys will be 35 years old, judging them will be exciting . . .
. . . no?

*yawn*

Seriously, Folks,...

Perhaps two years lately at D-port, there was this DeWalt or whatever screwgun-driven bicycle, this year close enough to witness a heavy payload and chassis issues, but went down the fairgrounds like it would go all the way to the big city.

Ain't gonna need to restore one of those screwguns.
(..if ya got wifi...)

But it showcased knucklebusting that will only be a keyboard disease some day.

....Cotten

[KNUCK]

I went into a few antique stores last weekend and really, I did not see anything that was newer than say the 70's, and that was not worth much. I think as I stated Class 8 is enough! If not then just call this the Motor Cycle Club of America ..................

[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....

[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]

I don't get to retire, Steve?

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

[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]

Thanks "skirted" !

[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

[jorrow]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.