The Antique Motorcycle Spring Issue Volume 65, No. 2

[Spag]

Steve, I hope this is not starting disagreement on this thread but the relationship between the AMCA and AACA has to do with the judging of old motorcycles at AACA meet locations by AMCA judges in accordance with AMCA judging standards and guidelines. The idea of beginning this relationship was to allow AMCA members who may not be able to attend AMCA National Meets to have their motorcycles judged closer to home. And as a side benefit, interest a few old car guys to join the AMCA. Many old car guys also own motorcycles. Nothing nefarious. Just my observation.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

There’s no disagreement.

Some enjoy and promote judging.

For a relatively narrow slice of our club the AACA thing is great.

For the others, it may not be so exciting or make as much sense.

[BillyBalcer]

Steve, I hope this is not starting disagreement on this thread but the relationship between the AMCA and AACA has to do with the judging of old motorcycles at AACA meet locations by AMCA judges in accordance with AMCA judging standards and guidelines. The idea of beginning this relationship was to allow AMCA members who may not be able to attend AMCA National Meets to have their motorcycles judged closer to home. And as a side benefit, interest a few old car guys to join the AMCA. Many old car guys also own motorcycles. Nothing nefarious. Just my observation.

I will disagree with this and love to have a rational conversation about this at any point. I am not one to sit and pound on a keyboard to debate its always better in person. The AACA /AMCA judging is wrong on so many points sir. First off that is the ONLY benefit of having a "National AMCA meet" is you get to have AMCA Judging. With that said those chapters PAY the national to have that meet. It should not be given to a car club unless they plan to pay on the same basis of our national meets. this also gives people the reason to travel to a national meet, support OUR club all to get their bike judged. The whole AMCA judging program brings in under $3000 of income for a whole year. The judging spends over $30K in expenses each year. With that kind of income and participation it is laughable. A clear failure year after year with no effort to change but give it to a different club at no cost. Total joke. As for the comments on Grouper. I agree with the room again and the modern motorcycles in the magazine. Members pay dues to NOT get unsolicited advertisements. Its like paying for netflix or a subscription to a service. You want that service nothing else hence the membership charge.

Billy Balcer
AMCA #4040
Lake Erie Chapter President
Strange Bird Manufacturing
www.StrangeBirdMFG.com

[duffeycycles]

Correct me if I'm wrong, the antique car group allows 25 year old cars. I think the majority of us agree with Eric, 1953 antique & 1970 vintage should be the cutoff.

[exeric]

I mostly agree with everything you wrote, Billy, but I don't agree with your aversion to post on this forum. You may talk 'in-person' to many more people than me, but I do believe this forum has a much broader reach than many of us think. Look at the bottom of the topic page and see how many non forum members are reading this stuff as opposed to signed in members. AMCA members like yourself can contribute insightful comments that come from a more involved perspective because of your manufacturing, and chapter knowledge. People like yourself have endeavored and have done a lot to contribute to our strange cult so I would encourage you to be (with prudence more active in this forum.

[BillyBalcer]

I mostly agree with everything you wrote, Billy, but I don't agree with your aversion to post on this forum. You may talk 'in-person' to many more people than me, but I do believe this forum has a much broader reach than many of us think. Look at the bottom of the topic page and see how many non forum members are reading this stuff as opposed to signed in members. AMCA members like yourself can contribute insightful comments that come from a more involved perspective because of your manufacturing, and chapter knowledge. People like yourself have endeavored and have done a lot to contribute to our strange cult so I would encourage you to be (with prudence more active in this forum.

I understand sir. I was implying that I don't like spending the time on a keyboard. I did not mean that I don't think this is a good or a bad platform. Just meant that actual conversation tends to be better. Sometimes the typed word gets misread or holds no emotion. I honestly believe none of our opinions matter not even a president of a chapter (with over 400 paid members and probably the biggest chapter in the AMCA) You have no voice and they want it that way. I have tried for years to improve the AMCA . Have a very successful chapter and big hand in the largest AMCA meet (wauseon). They don't want me or my opinions. Sometimes I may be brash. But it doesn't mean I am wrong. More so passionate about what is right and wrong. Numbers do not lie. There is a reason they don't put the financial information or board meeting min. in the magazine anymore. Failure. If there is no consequences for failure of your board and leadership then it will end up in the ground eventually. I will still be here. Making parts and messing with old motorcycles.

Billy Balcer
AMCA #4040
Lake Erie Chapter President
Strange Bird Manufacturing
www.StrangeBirdMFG.com

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Billy, you are not alone.

There is a growing core of “younger” members with similar backgrounds, experience, and observations.

[D.Mac]

I don't check this forum very often anymore, and have not posted in ages. I do still read the magazine, although I skip past a lot of content these days. Ever since the "Professional Motorcycle Journalists" have taken over the AMCA magazine, the content has gone downhill in my opinion. Lots of focus on the monetary (big bucks) aspect of "vintage" motorcycles. One of the articles in the latest mag on early 'cycling, commented on how well the riders were turned out, with a remark that I took as rather snide, to the effect that they were nothing like the later "outlaws". I guess to the magazine writers I, along with some others here. will always be considered "outlaws". You may say I'm just a grumpy old fart, but if you say it to my face, don't forget to smile. Doug.

[micmac]

D.Mac, very well stated.