On Line Library

exeric · 09-03-2008, 09:15 AM

HrdlyDangrs, I can relate to your letter but don't do anything rash. I quit this club back in the early 80's because I had seen enough greed and "attitude" with the emergence of the "new guard". When I first joined in the early 70's this club was a collection of interesting and largely friendly older guys that loved old motorcycles. Advice was plentiful and parts were generally affordable. I don't know if it was the Steve McQueen influence or a general awakening to antique bikes but it was like a switch was turned in the early 1980's. Everyone and their brother was into old bikes and the meets changed. Prices went through the roof and there was an attitude from the vendors that if you don't like it go screw yourself. I took a one year hiatus from the AMCA. After a year I realized that there was more good than bad in this club and that greed is a human condition that no one can change. I think this forum is a priceless resource and the information exchanged here has helped a lot of people. Look at the stuff that Jurassic, Perry Ruiter, Chris Haynes, and Herbert Wagner have generously posted. Information and pictures that they paid dearly (in one form or another) to obtain. I feel that the library should also be free to members and maybe someday it will. In the meantime your membership in the AMCA entitles you to bitch and moan to your heart's content. . . . And that's got to be worth something.

pete reeves · 09-03-2008, 07:53 AM

I am also am having trouble getting my member discount. And hope the problem will be fixed soon.

I think the virtual library is a great idea and look forward to using it
It is my understanding that there are many more documents already scanned waiting to be loaded and many more already promised.

Imagine the contents of this library in four or five year’s time if every body could get behind this project.

It would be great if the membership could use it just like a library and study the contents of the documents online free of charge then download the document if they want a printed copy at a reasonable cost, but I accept that there are probably good reasons why there is the current charging system.

Perhaps in time the need to charge members could be reviewed.

One thing that should be taken into account when comparing charges is shipping, I looked at the ebay auction Chris mentioned and the shipping charge to me would be $15.30 so I would need to be add this to the $9.99 purchase price.

The board should be congratulated in undertaking this project which could be of more benefit to the membership than a bricks and mortar museum.

Pete Reeves 860

Steve Slocombe · 09-03-2008, 06:32 AM

Dear Chris, your $10 Ebay item was a reprint 14 page owners' handbook and not a workshop manual. The nosparts.com manual is for the WLC and not the WLA and the length is not specified. I don't see the WLA shop manual in the Club Virtual Library for sale elsewhere, and increasingly we'll find that the fresh material in our library is not available from other vendors.

Dear Hrdly/Eric, the division of assets between the AMCA Membership Club and the Foundation - and the Museum project - are newer items that it seems need more explanation, but are nothing to do with the Virtual Library.

Dear Ken, keep trying, and contact Larry Barnes through the help address if you need assistance. We are having teething problems where you put in your membership number, but want to see the info out to our members as soon as possible.

Dear All, there are different markets for collectors of original literature, and for restorers interested in technical information. Even for those interested in technical info, there is a difference between ordering a reprint and having the document downloaded on your computer right now. I'm hopeful the Library will be a recruitment magnet, because the $25 saved on a $50 shop manual nearly justifies our $30 dues, and then you get four great magazines too. Let's get the system working properly, then see how it pans out over the coming weeks and months. Best regards.

Chris Haynes · 09-02-2008, 09:43 PM

You can purchase it using my address and I will forward it to you.

Baytown · 09-02-2008, 08:01 PM

No one wants to sell to me!!!

Hi Chris and Jeff.
Chris, thanks any way mate for the offer. I appreciate it.

Jeff
I tried using my membership number with my first attempt to purchase online. It didn't work.
Re George Yaroki, I had tried to purchase from him a few years ago, but the international thing didn't work for him. I called George at his work number from Australia, but couldn't get a sale. That's why I wanted to purchase from the club, as this stuff isn't available in Oz.
Best wishes fellas.

Ken.

jmanjeff · 09-02-2008, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by Baytown View Post

"Membership Discount
Use the box below to enter the Membership Code provided by the AMCA for your membership discount of 50%.
Click here if you are not already a member
Membership Discount Code"

Thanks Steve.

Ken.

Baytown may be the code is your AMCA members number

Chris Haynes · 09-02-2008, 06:48 PM

I can't help you. Everything I have is harley. Good luck.
Have you tried George Yarocki? He sells copies. http://www.oldmc-lit.com/

Baytown · 09-02-2008, 04:54 PM

G'day Chris.
I'm after any factory documents (workshop manuals, owners manuals etc for the Powerplus. As my bike is a bit of a 22 and earlier (22 engine, ? 21 frame and sheetmetal) I wanted good quality reference documents from 1920 to 1923.
The club has them on the site, but as highlighted, it's either not user friendly re the discount code for members, or I'm an idiot! (Hope it's not the latter!)

Hope this finds you well Chris.

Ken.

Chris Haynes · 09-02-2008, 03:44 PM

Ken,
What kind of material are you looking for?

Baytown · 09-02-2008, 03:31 PM

Please advise how members can use the half price entitlement

Originally posted by Steve Slocombe View Post

you will see the Club is trying to increase the benefits to the members in the best way we can. Keep those views coming, and let's see if people are prepared to pay a fair price for some mouthwateringly good stuff. Best regards.

Thanks for the reply Steve.

My original request for info on the half price coupon number for members hasn't been answered though (and don't start me on the lack of reply from 2 well known Indian parts people re my powerplus valves!) I sent an e-mail to the Library Owner which also hasn't been answered. I want to spent approx $100 on downloads, but since my request, the Aussie shekel has dropped 4 cents more against the US (.84), so my buying power is getting less during this discussion!

Please advise how members can use the half price entitlement as copied below (before I can no longer afford them.)

"Membership Discount
Use the box below to enter the Membership Code provided by the AMCA for your membership discount of 50%.
Click here if you are not already a member
Membership Discount Code"

Thanks Steve.

Ken.

exeric · 09-02-2008, 03:25 PM

My days of finding and getting genuine literature are probably long gone. I have some beautiful stuff that I was most fortunate to get back in the good old days but I know that's an addiction that I can no longer afford. I have always loved genuine literature because of it's power to transport the reader. There is a tactile sensation that comes with the feel of the paper and the musty old smell of printed material that is over 60 years old. My favorite era of motorcycling is from 1915 thru 1925. That 10 year period was incredible and that was the focus of my collecting. I hope the virtural library grows and provides some benefit to our members but I have to say that paying for a downloaded image on a flat screen monitor is a very poor substitue for the real thing. From a member's point of view, this library could have been a fantastic resource for dues paying members and should have been a growing free benefit to us. Instead, the power brokers of this club chose to take $400G's to promote a museum that only a fraction of the membership will visit. Apparently a museum is much more glamorous than a library. This member will never forget the withdrawl from our treasury.

Chris Haynes · 09-02-2008, 02:26 PM

Just check out what some of the "upscale" vendors want for that rare literature! $750 or more for rare mid teens catalogues so what is a measly $40. If that's too much get another hobby.

Or, if that same piece can be had by members from the club library nobody, except a very serious collector, will pay that exorbitant price. So to sell it the profiteer will have to lower his price. ;-)

exeric · 09-02-2008, 01:34 PM

Oh yeah! This is going to get good!

09-02-2008, 12:21 PM

Those prices don't look too bad at all depending on the quality of the reproduction. Just check out what some of the "upscale" vendors want for that rare literature! $750 or more for rare mid teens catalogues so what is a measly $40. If that's too much get another hobby.