Effect of eBay on AMCA swap meets

[azpaul50]

Parts Concentrated

As a newbie, the first thing I noticed was how parts, events, ....90% of "stuff" relating to vintage bikes are concentrated in the Northeast, East Coast, and Mid-west. To a lesser extent, the same is true of vintage car parts. That is not to say that you can't find parts out west, but the frequency of events is much less. simply look at the AMCA events calendar and you'll see the pattern. I live in Southern Arizona but have found a few parts at the April Laughlin River Run spread out between the Avi casino vendors and Bullhead City. There, just the sheer time available hurts finding parts because they are spread out. I have seen hardly nothing each year at the Arizona Bike Week. So, for people like me, eBay is really the only way to find ANYTHING considered rare or antique. We do have the Pomona Swap Meet (LA County Fair Grounds) and Long Beach Swap Meets but again, there is hardly the selection that seems to be the case at these legendary events most AMCA members speak of...all "up there." As an owner of multiple vintage bikes and cars, I really appreciate the time savings eBay provides rather than waiting years (or never) to find some item that is holding up a project or fixing a problem. As someone already said, even with high eBay prices, I save money in the long run.

["jb"]

reply

I have read all the posts even those with the long words over my head I don't use dictionaries, I am a simple country boy who now lives in the burbs. I have been a amca member for only 4 years so I my expeirence is limited. The points made were valid about price and time and stuff I agree lonnie, But I rode my new bike to davenport and didn't buy anything antique, I did buy a seat for my ex-wifes sportster because it was a good deal but she didn't like it and I ended up selling it. For us it was a vacation It was a trip I will never forget. I will get motivated and get back on the Sr.V one day. I purchased at a swap meet a 1966 xlch with a weld in rigid and magneto (no battery, no push button and no swing arm) a real kidney puncher, I have been riding it and enjoying it. I even plan to ride it this week-end at the Natural Bridge run I have never been there, and I am looking forward to it. Hope to see you there.
One added thought; I do believe the swap meets are the place to see beautiful works of arts in the mechanical form and some at good deals, I mean if your not looking for an original paint knuck or pan or indian.

[azpaul50]

More eBay

I received my first magazine as an AMCA member and discovered that at least two ebay sellers I had dealt with also advertised in the magazine. So, I guess the issue about eBay vs. meets becomes mute assuming that they (NE, Mid-west addys) also sell at meets. I also see some familiar monikers from catalog sellers here on the AMCA site as well. So, the magazine presented only a few new parts buying/repairing options from what I had already learned on my own. Meanwhile, my geographic limitations still remain the same. I looked into a promoters event for antique bikes at El Camino College in SoCal a few weeks ago. It is about 300 miles (one-way) from Yuma. In the 4 years since I got my first classic bike, I never found anything going on out here until this event. They have a rep as the event where movie stars send agents to buy for their collections and is the counterpart to an annual NorCal event put on by the same promoter. Where this is a "meet," I am also 300 miles from the January Las Vegas auction but I've never gone not being in the market for a complete bike. Anyway, one of my current showable bikes is a Harley Topper, the other a '63 Duo. So, riding to the event was definitely out. I seriously doubt that anyone would ride a Topper that far although I bet mine would make it! I do have a 34' Toy Hauler so I called them to see about parking. If you are an RVer you quickly learn to check out the geography and diesel availability before going anywhere! My goal was to simply have my bikes scored for future reference. Frankly, I got burnt out on concoursing in Corvettes years ago and just like to keep things original insofar as possible. I've got a '56 that is pretty dang good. Anyway, the promoter said that they wanted me to pay as a vendor for 20' of space otherwise, they had no place to put my rig. So, dropping the trailer I would need two spaces at like $100+ each...plus I forget what all else! Actually, I do vend veterans stuff at bike events but they also wanted me to stick to a vendors schedule. So, I finally said the heck with it and didn't go. So, now I'm hearing about Borrego Springs in March which is like only 150 miles from here. What is that all about? BUT, I'm still not riding the Topper to that event either!!!

[Paps]

I am surprized you haven't come across more access to vintage parts in Cal. I've scored many a vintage part in Cal. Good people, and I am proud to say, also good friends of mine, reside there, who deal, swap, and trade in vintage parts. Most of them attend AMCA meets when they can. Their specialties are mainly 45 and BT flathead, Panhead, and Knucklehead parts but I am sure they know locals who deal in other models as well. Email me direct and I will hook you up with one of them. If they can't help you, I am pretty sure they can direct you to someone much closer to your area, or end of the nation, who can. Paps

[Paquette]

I have followed this post with some concerns.But I believe that my friend Paps has put it all into perspective. Despite the AMCA meets and in spite of eBay, I thought this site was all about that so much 21 century catchword " NETWORKING". There is a want to sell and a I am selling link on this website that is seldom used. Do you folks not look at all the posts? I know a lot of members that would not know a website from a 1929 Knucklehead, but they would know that there are not any 1929 Knuckleheads. We should be an eliete group, not a-holes, but should stick together and make this site much, much, more than it is now------If ya wanna bitch go for eBay--If ya wanna help your fellow enthusiasts post your goods here!!!!!! Enuff said--I got saddlebags and seats to do------Michael-- worshamcastle.com

[c.o.]

Well....well Paquette. I checked out your site and I'm thinking that when I get my rear and gear and get to finishing up my Sport Scout I will be sending you my seat pan to get some of your fine leather work done!

I also agree that seeing more in the wares for "sale" or "trade" or "want" ads would be awesome to see on this site!!!!!!! I've always had the impression that us antique freaks are all in this together. I've had folks tell me I'm crazy to have an obsession with "old iron". They're probably right!

[azpaul50]

For Paps

I'm not saying there isn't anything out here at all. As with all vintage stuff, the need, part, place...and money all have to line up to close the deal. Sitting out here, that happens more often through eBay or catalogs from many of the vendors I now see here with the AMCA. Personally, I am only now learning what is really rare for my bikes and remember seeing things in the past I didn't know I needed or that a specific item was especially hard to find! I had hoped to begin with getting the two bikes scored at that El Camino College deal just to create a list to follow for the future with no real time limit. My '63 duo is a 27,000 mile original BUT was repainted several years ago before I got it. Otherwise, it is near completely original and runs fine now. I even have a 1966 sales receipt where it was bought at Hugo's H-D in Kansas. Like any interest group, there are variations in interest and the club should have room for all of them. For me, my prevailing interest is "the past" and what I believe were better times. So, to me, riding the bikes OR driving my cars serves as a time machine where I mentally forget my problems and am young again. As I said in an earlier post, I've done concoursing for years and found I lost more than I gained in fun. Would you believe the dang Corvette Restorers Society expected me to take down by dangling rearview mirror shrunken head prior to judging!!!! On the other hand, I cringe at the idea of tearing up something original although I recently went through a round of adding lots of NOS nation-bilt and BuCo accessories. My girlfriend laughs and said the bike looks like a "Libo-glide" meaning only Liberace would put all the dingle balls on it like I have. Yup... chrome front axle and grip balls just because I like 'em! So, I hope to meet you all and if you are a vendor, spend money supporting your business. So....anyone have windshield brackets for a Topper????

[flthead]

topper brackets

may have just found a set of brackets ,email me for a pic

[Paps]

I just so happen to know a really good Bro who has those Topper brackets for you my Friend. Now you have a pair of choices. Email me direct at vtwinrebuild@yahoo.com and I will hook you up with him. You won't be disappointed. Paps

[Paps]

Thanks for the pat on the back Paquette. You nailed it with the networking definition !! Thumbs up Bro !!!! Paps

[Paquette]

Paps--It has been too long since we conversed , but like minds must stick together--2 thumbs up to you my friend----Michael

[Lonnie]

When I started this post, I wanted to hear the thoughts of others and what I hear is the full gamut of responses. When all is said and done, however, what it boils down to is that irregardless of the source of the parts, eBay or local swap meet or big AMCA Nat'l meet, the two things that keep folks coming year after year are scoping out the old bikes and foremost, seeing old friends and making new ones. Third, I believe, is the opportunity to converse with the gurus of your particular make and model - come to think of it, though, that falls into the "seeing old friends and making new ones" category.
Lonnie

[Chuck#1848]

Just a thought

Some people use the situation that fit's their time frame and life style others feel that the cost and travel time distance to and from home also eat's in to funds that they feel they could be using for their project.

As for the business that sell at the local swap meets or the AMCA national meets and on e-bay they have bills to pay like anybody else think what it may cost them in their time to load,setup and then take down and head for home not to mention gas money to haul their items to a meet as a business they are trying to survive like anybody else in todays world.

Not taking any one side here just looking at it from all angles with my .02 for what it's worth.

[Paps]

This topic has generated some of the very best in opinions and observations. I have found all of them justified by each ones indivdual experiences. We all need to try wearing each others shoes now and then. No doubt our experiences would relate to each others experiences more evenly then.

azpaul50........I forgot to mention !! My Buddy's Topper parts are NOS ! Paps

[mmoore]

ebay ****s

yea there might be good deals but a lot of stuff is hot. I guess most of you ebay lovers just havent been burned (yet) pay pals protection is a joke. if you win then find out that its not quite what you understood its always your own fault and they give you a bad buyer feedback. I lost money, got broken stuff and had to wait over a month to recieve items from people that had good ratings. just try to have thier local cops arrest anybody that scams you they dont want to bother if its not a lot of money they tell you to go there and file a small claims against them. they mean it when they say buyer beware when they say they can get a better price on ebay i just say go ahead, it wont be me