I'd like to give some historical perspective here, then a reference to to the current AMCA road run rules and my personal rant.
The Rocky Mtn Chapter started the road runs in 1984, with a strong edict from the national as to how things would be. One big rule was, only motorcycles manufactured in 1953 or earlier were allowed to be ridden. At that time, 1953 and older was the AMCA definition of an antique, and only bikes and parts from that era could be sold, traded or judged at national meets. That first road run had something like 36 machines registered, a nice start. The 1953 and older rule was never in question. There were bikes from the mid teens and up, with many in the 20's and 30's. And SURPRISE, they all made it, except for Bob McCleans bike which was covered with a tarp but parked on top of a sprinkler that ran all night! The road run was a great success, so the chapter decided to host again in 1985. We made changes to the format and route, but it was still very much a pre 1953 road run. The day before the ride was to start, I was at the registration table with other club officers, Ed Gerlits and Charles Lamoreaux. Our new friend Ben Chesney shyly approached the table, literally with his hat in his hand and head bowed. He explained that in the process of loading his 1930 (?) Henderson on the trailer to head west, the crankshaft broke. He did not have another bike that would qualify, all being too new. So, he humbly asked if we would allow him to ride a 1954 Nimbus on the ride. He would gladly ride in the rear, or head back home if we said no. Ed Gerlits asked Ben how old he was. I don't remember Ben's exact age, but he was in his upper 80's at that time. A brief discussion ensued and we unanimously agreed that "If you're over 85, you can ride whatever you want, if you're an AMCA member". That rule became the standard for many years and was included in the first official AMCA road run guidelines, which I helped draft. I recall in later years, Rich Schultz, and others, exercised that rule and rode more modern bikes, which allowed them to continue riding well past 85. However, many others still rode much older bikes well into their 80's and 90's. Over the years, somehow that rule slowly morphed into what is now written in the AMCA rules for road runs. That rule reads as follows, a direct cut and paste from the AMCA bylaws:
"V. PROCESS DESCRIPTION A.
National Road Run (NRR) is a gathering of members of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) in scenic areas of their country for the sole purpose of riding and enjoying antique motorcycles together. Although NRRs follow the club’s 35-year rule (i.e. registered motorcycles should be more than 35 years old), members 65 years of age or older may ride any year of motorcycle. ALL REGISTRANTS OF A NATIONAL ROAD RUN MUST BE A CURRENT AMCA MEMBER"
Now, let that sink in...... If you're over 65, you can ride whatever you want, hell bring that new 2026 Milwaukee 8, you'll fit right in! As I recall, the AVERAGE age of the AMCA membership is now 63 or 64. So, in essence, we are no longer an antique motorcycle club, we are barely even a vintage club! Hell, just show up and ride whatever you want, gosh, you're over 65 you poor old sot.....Yes, I'm very much opposed to the over 65 rule. I can live with the over 85 rule, but 65, really!!!!????? So that is one justification for all the new bikes, and I hate it!!! I was on the Black Hills road run. I rode with Alex B and others, all on pre war machines. In fact, 2 days I rode 1924 vintage bikes and a 1937 on the 3rd day. I recall a few modern machines jumping into the middle of our group, because they had no clue where to go. Guess they hadn't yet read the operators manual on their new Harley explaining how to use the GPS system. More than once, they were causing problems for us on the tight looping turns on the Needles Hwy. The 900 + lb baggers they were riding, in addition to a lower skill level, caused them to crawl through some of that terrain, which split us up and made things difficult for us at times. Yes, we managed to survive, but I specifically recall thinking to myself what a travesty this was on an "Antique Motorcycle Road Run". Some of those guys didn't even look like they were even 65! So in essence, according to the AMCA, if you're over 65, ride anything, and everybody else can ride 1991 and older bikes. "YAY, I'm on an antique motorcycle!"
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of clubs for the 80's, 90's and newer bikes, so go ride with them.
For me, I guess I'll just go down as a grumpy old fart riding OLD motorcycles! And yes, I'm 65 but no, I won't be riding my 2013 Road Glide on a road run, ever!
The Rocky Mtn Chapter started the road runs in 1984, with a strong edict from the national as to how things would be. One big rule was, only motorcycles manufactured in 1953 or earlier were allowed to be ridden. At that time, 1953 and older was the AMCA definition of an antique, and only bikes and parts from that era could be sold, traded or judged at national meets. That first road run had something like 36 machines registered, a nice start. The 1953 and older rule was never in question. There were bikes from the mid teens and up, with many in the 20's and 30's. And SURPRISE, they all made it, except for Bob McCleans bike which was covered with a tarp but parked on top of a sprinkler that ran all night! The road run was a great success, so the chapter decided to host again in 1985. We made changes to the format and route, but it was still very much a pre 1953 road run. The day before the ride was to start, I was at the registration table with other club officers, Ed Gerlits and Charles Lamoreaux. Our new friend Ben Chesney shyly approached the table, literally with his hat in his hand and head bowed. He explained that in the process of loading his 1930 (?) Henderson on the trailer to head west, the crankshaft broke. He did not have another bike that would qualify, all being too new. So, he humbly asked if we would allow him to ride a 1954 Nimbus on the ride. He would gladly ride in the rear, or head back home if we said no. Ed Gerlits asked Ben how old he was. I don't remember Ben's exact age, but he was in his upper 80's at that time. A brief discussion ensued and we unanimously agreed that "If you're over 85, you can ride whatever you want, if you're an AMCA member". That rule became the standard for many years and was included in the first official AMCA road run guidelines, which I helped draft. I recall in later years, Rich Schultz, and others, exercised that rule and rode more modern bikes, which allowed them to continue riding well past 85. However, many others still rode much older bikes well into their 80's and 90's. Over the years, somehow that rule slowly morphed into what is now written in the AMCA rules for road runs. That rule reads as follows, a direct cut and paste from the AMCA bylaws:
"V. PROCESS DESCRIPTION A.
National Road Run (NRR) is a gathering of members of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) in scenic areas of their country for the sole purpose of riding and enjoying antique motorcycles together. Although NRRs follow the club’s 35-year rule (i.e. registered motorcycles should be more than 35 years old), members 65 years of age or older may ride any year of motorcycle. ALL REGISTRANTS OF A NATIONAL ROAD RUN MUST BE A CURRENT AMCA MEMBER"
Now, let that sink in...... If you're over 65, you can ride whatever you want, hell bring that new 2026 Milwaukee 8, you'll fit right in! As I recall, the AVERAGE age of the AMCA membership is now 63 or 64. So, in essence, we are no longer an antique motorcycle club, we are barely even a vintage club! Hell, just show up and ride whatever you want, gosh, you're over 65 you poor old sot.....Yes, I'm very much opposed to the over 65 rule. I can live with the over 85 rule, but 65, really!!!!????? So that is one justification for all the new bikes, and I hate it!!! I was on the Black Hills road run. I rode with Alex B and others, all on pre war machines. In fact, 2 days I rode 1924 vintage bikes and a 1937 on the 3rd day. I recall a few modern machines jumping into the middle of our group, because they had no clue where to go. Guess they hadn't yet read the operators manual on their new Harley explaining how to use the GPS system. More than once, they were causing problems for us on the tight looping turns on the Needles Hwy. The 900 + lb baggers they were riding, in addition to a lower skill level, caused them to crawl through some of that terrain, which split us up and made things difficult for us at times. Yes, we managed to survive, but I specifically recall thinking to myself what a travesty this was on an "Antique Motorcycle Road Run". Some of those guys didn't even look like they were even 65! So in essence, according to the AMCA, if you're over 65, ride anything, and everybody else can ride 1991 and older bikes. "YAY, I'm on an antique motorcycle!"
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of clubs for the 80's, 90's and newer bikes, so go ride with them.
For me, I guess I'll just go down as a grumpy old fart riding OLD motorcycles! And yes, I'm 65 but no, I won't be riding my 2013 Road Glide on a road run, ever!
Thanks for starting this thread, Steve; it's been a very informative, lively one, and a shot of adrenalin into our sleepy forum.
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