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Antique Motorcycle Heritage: Where do we start?

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  • Antique Motorcycle Heritage: Where do we start?

    Hi Folks:

    Just wanted to take a first step in the idea of an Antique Motorcycle Heritage Project. That step could any number of things from looking at other heritage web sites to just asking for open input. I thought maybe we could start by using this thread as a base for AMCA members to make a list through your replies of anything and every subject associated with antique motorcycles. I am going to start the conversation with just three subjects off the top of my head and you all can add to it. Lets try not to exclude anything at this point and just include anything that comes to mind.

    - Motorcycle Brands
    - Motorcycle Dealers
    - Industry Technical References

    Mike Love
    AMCA # 19097

  • #2
    In the original thread from the ideas forum Thomas Bund suggested a way to collect our antique motorcycle heritage. One reply to Thomas' post was from Eric Smith who said,

    "Just curious, how you are going to structure this new forum category? Personally, I think it should be done by marque so contributions go into a particular brand's basket. If a member wants to search for info on a Wagner, for example; they shouldn't have to wade through other brand information. The search engine here is not very good, so categories for individual marques would simplify that chore."

    This maybe the best way to get a start is to have a depository for the antique motorcycle manufacturers listed. Then within a category of manufacturer you can have models and any other sub section such as technical bulletins, manuals, catalogs, dealers, former or current factories, clubs and significant historical sites to visit and any other reference.

    Any thoughts on this approach?

    Mike Love
    AMCA# 19097

    Any thoughts on this initial thought

    Comment


    • #3
      1949-1952 Indian Vertical Motorcycle Heritage Contribution

      I just wanted to draw your attention to the idea that people may have already made posts to the forum to address this very issue.
      Someone would have to gather those at some point if you want everything in one tab. For example, I have communicated quite a bit with Pete Sink and Jim Preussner trying to isolate trademarks for the Indian Vertical motorcycles. It is not easy tracking down which company manufactured which set of parts. You would think if they were made in the post-war era that companies would be easy to track down and get literature to verify where parts were made and original specifications and so on. That has not happened. I had to contact a group of metals research specialists to help with the details. That was over two months ago and they are still trying to find out where Indian parts were made for these bikes. Some of the information exists with people who have been in the business for years, Jim, Pete and Robin Markey, for example. Still, no literature, or very little to verify information. Pete keeps encouraging me to write the official history, though I personally believe that should be approached a certain way with re-mapping of the existing company literature. Here, the issue of heritage may have a technical aspect that exists beyond the scope of what you mentioned. Just depends on your level of interest. So far, I have been able to gather from stamps and names from other sources where certain parts were made, though no literature to verify what I have been told or see at websites.
      Here's another problem: historical sources do not have historical sources. The Esta Manthos Museum does not know for the verticals, where the parts were made. No information on file. I'm not bashing the museum, but you would think a museum should know that kind of thing. Also, when you see something like the website for Yesterdays, there is a vertical there which has incorrect "factory" parts mounted and presented to the public as 'original.' That's a problem if you have a restoration interest and you know that what you see is not an original factory part for that particular model. This type of incorrect history is important to the Indian Motorcycle heritage enthusiast.

      I am glad to share what I learn from all of you. I keep a file for trademarks if any are interested.

      Thanks.
      -John
      36450

      Originally posted by ihrescue View Post
      In the original thread from the ideas forum Thomas Bund suggested a way to collect our antique motorcycle heritage. One reply to Thomas' post was from Eric Smith who said,

      "Just curious, how you are going to structure this new forum category? Personally, I think it should be done by marque so contributions go into a particular brand's basket. If a member wants to search for info on a Wagner, for example; they shouldn't have to wade through other brand information. The search engine here is not very good, so categories for individual marques would simplify that chore."

      This maybe the best way to get a start is to have a depository for the antique motorcycle manufacturers listed. Then within a category of manufacturer you can have models and any other sub section such as technical bulletins, manuals, catalogs, dealers, former or current factories, clubs and significant historical sites to visit and any other reference.

      Any thoughts on this approach?

      Mike Love
      AMCA# 19097

      Any thoughts on this initial thought

      Comment

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