Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008 - (Page 92)

SPECIAL FEATURE STORIES DAVENPORT SHOW GUIDE Initial Impressions –“Newbies” View of AMCA Fall Nats — Not-So-Different Hobbies Merge in Writer’s “Midlife Crisis” — By John Gunnell n excess of 15,000 people from across the country — plus a few from around the world — made their way to Davenport, Iowa for the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s (AMCA) 37th Annual Fall National Meet. This is supposed to be THE BIG ONE. The local newspaper said 15,000-20,000 people were expected. We didn’t count, but we’re sure the estimate was close. On the way to Iowa, we had done a “drive by” to see Harley’s 105th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee. After witnessing the throngs in Brew Town, seeing the giant crowd at Davenport emphasized how big the antique motorcycle hobby really is. “We” is me and my son Jesse. Bikers who collect vintage automobiles may know me from 29 years writing at Old Cars Weekly. Though I’ve always loved old motorcycles, at 60, I’m as new to cycles as Jesse is at 28. The only difference is in the bikes. In July, I bought a ‘40 Indian Chief and Jesse bought a ‘77 Kawasaki KZ200. After hearing that Davenport is the “Hershey” of cycle collectors, we had to go. Hershey, after all, is the giant Fall National Meet of the Antique Automobile Club of America (more on AACA later). The club’s Hershey Region puts the meet on and it is THE LARGEST old-car event in the world! Davenport is one of the largest motorcycle swap meets in the country and, like Hershey, is organized by a local branch of a club: the Chief Blackhawk Chapter of the AMCA. We found Davenport to be impressive in size and very well organized, as Hershey is. It’s a club event, so admission is free (though we left a donation for the club like nearly everyone else did.) Hershey is the same. We found that Davenport draws people from all over the globe, like Hershey does. Museums — we saw at least four — are big participants at Davenport, like others are at Hershey. Both shows generate big waves of excitement with their swap meets and their judged shows, in which trained experts compare both the condition and authenticity of competing vehicles. Both clubs also recognize well-preserved original vehicles. Racing-oriented events are also part of both venues. The same goes for informative technical seminars and a tasty banquet. At Davenport, we met several spectators and vendors we knew from the old car hobby. Veteran collector Bill Winslow, who is into everything old, came down from Galena. Corky Coker was in from Memphis, shopping for some new really old bikes while his crew vended cycle tires. Hagerty and J.C. Taylor had booths much like those they set up at Hershey to promote insurance sales. There was even a vendor in the Official Program with parts for our MG TD and MG TF. Like Hershey, the Davenport event started small. It began when a handful of people showed up at an antique motorcycle swap meet in 1971. Hershey also started with a I Frank Westfall owned this 1912 Henderson, which had the 440 engine. A very real-looking manikin in period dress rides an old Harley. 92 November 2008 | WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® Chris Daniels, the owner of a company called Indian Bonnets, poses with his bike, a ‘48 Indian Chief that he restored and made the fender mascot for. His company makes reproduction resin Indian face fender mascots. His email is cdaniel677@aol.com. Chris also gave me excellent info and tech photos for a follow up article on correct hood mascots. I WALNECKS.COM http://www.WALNECKS.COM

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Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008 Contents American The Buzz w/Buzz Walneck Our Winners Stories! By Rick Weiler 1962 Henkel Tourist Motorcycle Tips w/Mike Brown Our Winners Stories! By Tom Sutherland Event Listings & Advertisements Bench Racing w/Mark Zimmerman British Biker of the Month: Hagon Shocks European Japanese Davenport Show Recap Motorbikes & Scooters 1956 Maico Mobil 197cc 1952 45cc VeloSolex Memorbilia Antique Cycle Clubs Parts, Accessories, Want Ads How to Place a Word Ad How To Place a Photo Ad Area Code Directory How To Subscribe Let Us Help With Your Event

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008

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