Clubs Spoken Here
CLUBS SPOKEN HERE
Who They Are, What They Are, Where They Are
Jean Crabb
In our December 1977 issue we put out a call for information about make and model clubs. The response was great.
Many thanks.
As with most things, some of us are joiners and some of us are not. If you're looking for a motorcycle club to share your enthusiasm for your favorite bike, and you enjoy club activities, rallies, touring, picnics and such, the following should be of interest to you.
MAKE CLUBS
ARIEL
Ariel-Detroit
Dave Munday 131 Lange Troy. Mich. 48098
Ariel-Detroit was formed two years ago to assist the Ariel enthusiast with restoration and maintenance of his machine. The club stocks a supply of new and used spares and has a set of special factory tools available on a cash/lend basis. The ArielDetroit News is published six times a year and a sample newsletter and application are available for $ 1. Dues are $ 10 per year.
BMW
Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners, Ltd.
John Harper P.O. Box 1823 Anniston, Ala. 36201
This is a group of BMW enthusiasts dedicated to the preservation of classic and antique BMW motorcycles. A newsletter is published bi-monthly giving restoration hints, parts sources and historical facts of this marque.
BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Inc.
Jean Dowds P.O. Box 74 Newark, Calif. 94560
This is a non-profit corporation, with approximately 7500 active members in its 80 local chartered clubs. BMW News is published monthly, with club news, technical information, upcoming events, and much more. BMWOA dues are $10.50 per year which includes a subscription to the newsletter.
BMW Riders Association, Inc.
Walter Klein
1666 St. Margarets Rd.
Annapolis, Md. 21401
The BMW Riders Association is a non-
profit, international organization of BMW motorcycle enthusiasts. Regular membership dues are $5.50 per year, for w hich you receive 12 issues of the monthly newsletter, one copy of the anonymous travel aid and dealer directory Blue Book, your choice of a patch, pin or decal, and a membership card. BMWRA is both a social club and a service organization.
Keystone BMW Riders, Inc.
Dave Atlas 319 Belmont Ave.
Ambler, Pa. 19002
The touring, technical and social BMW club of the Philadelphia area. BMW riders and touring bikes over 600cc welcome. AMA & BMWOA affiliated. Dues $15 per year.
BSA
Gold Star Owners Club
Tom Agner
2442 Shallowford Dr.
Toledo. Ohio 43611
This club is entering its fifth year and has over 500 members world-wide. Its newsletter, Twitter; is named for the distinctive exhaust note of the Gold Star. They have a summer meeting in the U.S. and Britain plus regional meetings. The roster includes many former factory racers and technical personnel. Dues are $10 per year.
BULTACO
Bultaco Metrella Owners Club
Paul Giganti/Dale Jonte 805 Jackson Albany, Calif. 94706
This is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts interested in conserving, restoring and riding the legendary Spanish street racer, the Metrella. They try to issue a newsletter several times a year to provide any interested motorcyclists with information about parts availability, history, service, maintenance and restoration details. Their main goal is to develop a parts network so that no Metrella will disappear because of lack of parts.
DUCATI
Ducati Owners Club of Canada
S. James Collins 1786 Windermere Rd.
Windsor, Ont. N8W 2Sl Canada
This club is relatively new. It has a
newsletter filled with lots of information like classified, technical, hints and tips, and coming events.
Ducati International Owners Club
Joel Eliel
1447 St. Rd. 84
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 333 15
This club is oriented toward road-racing and cafe-racing and is interested in the restoration and preservation of Ducatis. It has been in existence for about two years and has about 1000 members. The club newsletter is published every two to three months and contains previews of new bikes, dub news, technical information and racing news. Dues are $9.50 per year in the U.S. and Canada, $12.50 per year overseas.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Full Dresser
Melvin D. Readnour 20450 S.E. 159th St.
Renton, Wash. 98055
Full Dresser is a news bulletin devoted strictly to the full dress Harley-Davidson. All of its advertising and all of its stories are of people w ho own the big Harley. The bulletin comes out monthly and is $9 per year.
HONDA
Gold Wing Owners Association, Inc.
Chuck Thuston P.O. Box 88 Gladstone, Ore. 97027
The Gold Wing Owners Association, Inc. is starting its third year. A monthly newsletter is published, as is an emergency directory. It's a national organization dedicated to the advancement and betterment of Gold Wings.
INDIAN
Indian Motorcycle Club of America
Bob Stark P.O. Box 5002 Anaheim. Calif. 92804
This club was established in 1971 and is mainly a parts and information group. A newsletter is published 10 times a year, as are two magazines. The club has approximately 400 active members throughout the U.S. and other countries. It holds one main rally a year. Members also can enjoy a discount on parts through Bob Stark. Dues are $20 annually. >
Indian Four-Cylinder Club
Jim Cook 3608 Reimer Rd.
Norton, Ohio 44203 The Indian Four-Cylinder Club presently has about 260 active members and holds a gathering in Tiffon, Ohio every fall. The club is limited to four-cylinder Indian or Henderson motorcycles. There are four magazines published a year.
Springfield Indian Club
Herman “Whitie” Metzger 2174 Winthrop Rd.
Huntington Valley, Pa. 19006 This is basically a social club. The majority of members are in the East. They hold two meetings and one rally each year. A newsletter is sent only to announce the meetings and rally.
LAVERDA
Laverda Owners Club USA
Michael P. Kavula, Jr.
6157 Mary Beth Cove Bartlett, Tenn. 38134 The Laverda Owners Club USA is affiliated with the International Laverda Owners Club based in England. For services they distribute a club newsletter, La Vera Vista, and various fliers that are of direct interest to the owners on this side of the Atlantic. The ILOC is composed of about 400 owners and dealers world-wide and the U.S. chapter has 96 members. The club offers such items as Laverda belt buckles, club T-shirts, etc. for sale. Dues are $ 10 per year, or an optional six-month membership, July-Dee. $5. Dealer membership is $15.
MARUSHO/LILAC
Marusho/Lilac Owners Club
Ralph Walker 4824 S. First St.
Arlington, Va. 22204
The club began a year ago to establish a dialogue among the owners of these unusual Japanese shaft-drives imported during the 1960s. It concerns itself with historical and technical areas but members are too scattered to be involved in rallies or meets. Dues are $5 per year and a newsletter is printed every two months. When requesting information a SASE is appreciated.
MOTO GUZZI
Moto Guzzi National Owners Club
Frank Wedge P.O. Box 93
Sylvan Grove, Kan. 67481 This organization has been around since 1972 and has 1700 active members in the U.S. and overseas. Its newsletter is pub-
lished monthly and is full of all the good stuff Moto Guzzi owners want to know. Annual dues are $10 per individual or $13 per couple. With your membership you receive a patch, membership card and decals.
NORTON
U.S. Norton Owners Association
Frank DelMonte 4059 W. Eva Phoenix, Ariz. 85021 This association is a national organization with 400 active members within the U.S. and overseas. The club was founded in 1974 and is dedicated to Norton owners and enthusiasts. A bi-monthly newsletter, The Norton News, keeps the members informed of what’s going on. Dues are $5 per year.
SUZUKI
Lemans America
Chuck Irwin Rt. 6, Box 386 Shawnee, Okla. 74801
Lemans America is for the owners of the Suzuki GT750, GS750 and the RE5 Rotary. Yearly dues are $7.50 (no initiation fees) and for that sum a member gets his membership card, monthly newsletter, club decal, and the association of other Suzuki riders. It holds one annual national “Camp-in” each year.
VELOCETTE
Velocette Owners Club
Steve Kesey 654 Tipton Ave.
Eugene, Ore. 97404
The West Coast Chapter of the Velocette Owners Club was formed in June 1976. The club serves Velo enthusiasts in all of North America. However, the “legal” boundary is the western part of the continent from San Francisco north into British Columbia. A newsletter is printed every other month, and the club’s big event is the annual rally in Eugene, Oregon every July. The dues are a modest $3 per year.
VINCENT
The Vincent HRD Owners Club
c/o The Membership Secretary 48 Kingway Bredbury, Stockport Cheshire, SK6 2PB England
This club was founded in 1948 and is based in England. Today, there are more than 2000 members world-wide. Following is a list of the North American Chapters of the VOC to assist you in finding the one closest to you.
Glenn Shriver 3930 N. Janssen Ave. Chicago, 111. 60613
Bill Zimmer 5555 Belle River Rd. Attica, Mich. 48412
Alex Noftsger Box 20666, AM F Atlanta, Ga. 30320
Gene Aucott 6204 Wissahickon Ave. Philadelphia, Pa. 19144
Jim Young 11 Spring St.
Pembroke, Mass. 02359
Wilmot White 32300 Trevor Ave. Hayward, Calif. 94544
Phil Mahood 19A Deerfield Dr. Ottawa, Ont. K2G 3R7 Canada
Tony Cording 46 White Ave.
Toronto, Ont. MIC 1P2 Canada
Chris Timberley 4640 W. 13th Ave. Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
WASHINGTON, John Manning D.C.: 8113 Hartford Ave.
Silver Spring, Md.
20910
SO. CALIF.: Gordon Worthington
c/o Kountz Motor Center
480 N. Western Ave. Hollywood, Calif.
90004
Some sections have dues, some do not, some have a newsletter, some do not. They are all structured fairly loosely but all are quite active.
ANTIQUE & CLASSIC
Idaho Vintage Motorcycle Club
Richard Renstrom 2121 Arlington Ave.
Caldwell, Idaho 83605 This club was formed last June and now has 27 active members and is open to anyone interested in classic or antique bikes. Dues are $3 per year. The club puts out a newsletter when needed and sponsors six to eight rides, rallies, picnics and shows each year.
Midwest Antique & Classic Motorcycle Club
Dave Olson 12013 July Dr.
Rockford, 111. 61111
CHICAGO:
DETROIT/
WINDSOR:
HILLBILLY:
NORTHEAST
USA:
NEW
ENGLAND:
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VANCOUVER:
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The purpose of this club is to encourage the preservation, restoration and maintenance of classic and antique motorcycles, and of rare, distinct or out-of-production motorcycles. Annual dues are $10 which includes the newsletter. The club also sells enameled lapel badges, key fobs and embroidered emblems.
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club
Barton Taylor 301 Phelps Ave.
Bengenfield, N.J. 07621 The VJMC is dedicated to the preservation, enjoyment and use of antique, classic and vintage (15 years old or out-of-production) Japanese motorcycles. The club publishes a bi-monthly newsletter containing items of interest, member list and classified advertising. Dues for one year are $4.
Rotorua Classic Motorcycle Club
Graham Page P.O. Box 2235 Rotorua, New Zealand The nature of this club’s activities consist of rallies, club runs, monthly meetings, parts auctions and participation in classic machine racing events. Its basic aims are the restoration and preservation of all vintage, veteran and classic machines. Particular emphasis is placed on the classic machines of English, American, and Continental origins of the post-war period until about 1962. Dues are $6 per year.
Antique Motorcycle Club of America,
Inc.
Ernie Biddle Lake Ave.
Harrison ville, N.J. 08039
This club has 15-20 chapters in the U.S. and has been in existence for 25 years. It holds seven national meetings a year in different parts of the country. The motorcycles must be pre-’48 or older. A newsletter is published quarterly. Dues are $12 a year.
Antique Motorcycle Club of America,
Inc.
So. California Chapter Chuck Vernon P.O. Box 23
La Mirada, Calif. 90637
The club is open to anybody who is interested in antique and classic machines. The antique machines must be 30 years or older and the classics must be 20 years or older. This chapter has been together for 15 years. There is no newsletter nor dues.
Antique Motorcycle Club
Viking Chapter Rick Wyatt
7515 Knollwood Dr. N.E.
Moundsview, Minn. 55432
The Viking Chapter has approximately 50 active members. The club calls itself a family affair and most members are avid restorers and riders. The highlight of its season is an annual picnic at which motorcycle games popular in the 1930s and ’40s are played. It also has several Dinner Runs throughout the season. Dues are $5 per year, with National Membership, $12 per year, a prerequisite.
REGIONAL CLUBS
Mid-Missouri Riders Motorcycle Club
Max Sellers P.O. Box 232 Waynesville, Mo. 65583
This is a family-type club for people who enjoy riding with a group of motorcyclists. They plan to make the Daytona “Run to the Sun” this month. At present there are 20 dues-paying members. It sponsors rallies, touring, camp-outs, picnics and holds a business meeting every month.
Peacemakers’ Motorcycle Club
Robert Barnes 208 Milburn St.
Rochester, N.Y. 14607
The purpose is socializing, promoting safety and giving a better image to the motorcycling sport. It was not mentioned if there are dues or if a newsletter exists. So if you’re interested, drop a line to Mr. Barnes for further details.
Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association
James E. Starrett 6430 Acorn Forest Houston, Tex. 77088
This is an organization dedicated to improving the image of motorcycling. All members of TMRA have a vote and a voice in the activities of the club. The club has family-type events throughout the year, and the TRMA newsletter keeps the members informed of upcoming events, field meets, poker runs, overnight campouts, etc. Annual dues are $6, spouses $3 and children $1.25.
Coast-to-Coast Bikers
P.O. Box 547 Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
Coast-to-Coast Bikers is an organization formed to provide the traveling cyclist with free lodging across the nation (Canada and Mexico included). Each member receives a membership card, periodic newsletter, and a directory in which his/her name, along with those of fellow members is listed. It cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to stay at another member’s house as members are not obligated to invite you into their homes. It is a member’s obligation, however, to be as helpful as possible when another member calls him.
Dues for this club are $20 per year.
Retreads
Ona House 8749 SW 21st St.
Route 8
Topeka, Kans. 66604
The Retreads is basically a correspondence club. You must be at least 40 years old to belong and you must have an interest in motorcycles, though owning one is not necessary. There are regional groups throughout the U.S. No dues involved.
Motorcycling Doctor’s Association
Charles DeGroat 810 Highwood Circle Billings, Mont. 59102 This club was started in Missouri on August 27, 1977. It was formed to promote motorcycle safety and show that some members of the medical profession promote motorcycling. The club is open to physicians, dentists, veterinarians and podiatrists who own and ride bikes. A newsletter is forthcoming and there is an initiation fee of $35 plus yearly dues of $35.
Help ’N Hands
John and Bonnie Burnside 9283 10th Ave.
Hesperia, Calif. 92345 This is actually an organization rather than a club. Its single purpose is to help the biker while traveling. The Burnsides publish a directory once a year and update it throughout the year. Should your bike break down or you need information in a strange town, or have an emergency, just check your directory for the address closest to you.
There are no fees or dues involved. Only a SASE. Donations are appreciated, however, since everything costs.
SIDECARS
North American Sidecar Association
Marc J. Pauls 3249 N. Lawndale Chicago, 111. 60618
This club is for anybody with a sidecar. It sponsors tours and prints a newsletter once in a while. There are no dues, no Tshirts, no pins—just strictly sidecar nuts.
The 3rd Wheel, Inc.
W. K. “Bill” Espe P.O. Box 852
Minneapolis, Minn. 55440 This club was founded in 1971 and is actively involved in the sidecar activities in North America. Its newsletter, Side-Hack News, is chock full of coming events, club news, want ads and numerous other things of interest to the sidecar enthusiast. Dues are paid in February each year, $5 per family. There is a $10 initiation fee and you are given credit for a full year, regardless of when you join. |§]
