AMCA Community Forum - I'm Looking For Help

[ihrescue]

Greetings friends - Last week I received an email from AMCA Executive Director Kieth Kizer asking me as the Moderator/Admin for the AMCA Community Forum to create a report that can be delivered to the current AMCA Board of Directors on the current state of the AMCA Community Forum. I enthusiastically accepted this assignment because I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about the Forum and of course promote and memorialize this valuable tool. A plan for my report is still buzzing around in my brain but some things are falling into place. Here are some thoughts I have. Provide a history of the AMCA Community Forum. Identify and honor the founders and people responsible for the Community Forum. Hit the highlights for the forum over the years and make available any interesting posts from members. Finally add a few statistics for the data nerds (like me). You know what, I think we can all participate in this since we are all a community. Lets use this topic as our Member Bike Build - 2025 AMCA Community Forum Report to the AMCA Board of Directors. I think what I will do is pull this together in web log format and post it in the Community Forum's Blog section. Yes I said Blog section. Oh I know we'll need to go in there with our Stihl Back Pack Leaf Blowers and a dust respirator and blow out all the spider webs and dust but don't you think it's about time? I'll bring you up to speed in a follow-up comment. I will also be posting or re-posting some "old" motorcycle photos along the way.

Cheers

Mike Love
AMCA Forum Moderator/Admin

[ihrescue]

I believe I know 3 of the first 4 AMCA members registered as members of the AMCA Community Forum. Thanks to our WebMaster Jon Radermacher for this tidbit. Kevin Valentine, Pete Gagan and Tom Cotten. I hope to drill down into this detail again with Jon and maybe do the top 25 first members as well as figure out the 4th person from that top group. June 6, 2001 I believe was the date.

Mike Love

[1939wl]

Greetings friends - Last week I received an email from AMCA Executive Director Kieth Kizer asking me as the Moderator/Admin for the AMCA Community Forum to create a report that can be delivered to the current AMCA Board of Directors on the current state of the AMCA Community Forum. I enthusiastically accepted this assignment because I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about the Forum and of course promote and memorialize this valuable tool. A plan for my report is still buzzing around in my brain but some things are falling into place. Here are some thoughts I have. Provide a history of the AMCA Community Forum. Identify and honor the founders and people responsible for the Community Forum. Hit the highlights for the forum over the years and make available any interesting posts from members. Finally add a few statistics for the data nerds (like me). You know what, I think we can all participate in this since we are all a community. Lets use this topic as our Member Bike Build - 2025 AMCA Community Forum Report to the AMCA Board of Directors. I think what I will do is pull this together in web log format and post it in the Community Forum's Blog section. Yes I said Blog section. Oh I know we'll need to go in there with our Stihl Back Pack Leaf Blowers and a dust respirator and blow out all the spider webs and dust but don't you think it's about time? I'll bring you up to speed in a follow-up comment. I will also be posting or re-posting some "old" motorcycle photos along the way.

Cheers

Mike Love
AMCA Forum Moderator/Admin

Thank You Mike for all that you do, behind the scenes, and here on the Forum.
This sounds like a very interesting assignment.
Thank You !

[ihrescue]

Thanks so much 1939wl . Its my pleasure.

Mike Love

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Happy to help, Mike

[ihrescue]

From all the evidence I have seen from new registrations in the AMCA Community Forum Username AdminGuy became the first member of the forum on June 1, 2001. I am thinking this is Kevin Valentine because I am certain he did the bulk of the admin work in the early time of the forum. It was in this June time frame when others joined as well - members I mentioned previously Pete Gagan and Tom Cotten. I'd appreciate knowing if anyone could answer, how did you all know when the forum was open for registrations? Was it announced in the Antique Motorcycle? Here is what i believe is the first topic posted to the forum on by AdminGuy on August 1, 2001 with the topic subject "Lot'O'Chatter" the message was "Ok, here we go." With a smiley face emoji. It was just over 24 years ago. AdminGuy appears to have served until February 16, 2008 and gave way to username Admin who served from February 16, 2008 until I picked it up in October 2016. Here is an image of the first post on August 1, 2001.

Screenshot 2025-12-10 at 4.17.20 PM.png

Mike Love

[T. Cotten]

... I'd appreciate knowing if anyone could answer, how did you all know when the forum was open for registrations?
Mike Love

I can only conjure, Mike,..

My online activities at that time were primarily the extinct Flathead Power forum, and the VirtualIndian mailing list.

Somebody posted a link is my best guess,

Does third place win a prize?

....Cotten