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Fort Sutter Chapter AMCA National Meet and Swap 2008 |
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June 19 Dixon California was the destination of a whole lot of antique motorcycles and the enthusiast owners all bound for the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Fort Sutter Chapter's National Show and Swap Meet which is held at the beautiful Dixon Fairgrounds located just 25 miles west of Sacramento just to the south of Interstate 80.The vendors started arriving late Thursday afternoon in temperatures approaching the 100 degree mark but despite the heat they began to set up their booths and display their antique motorcycle treasures that they were offering for sale or better yet trade. At an official AMCA Swap Meet vendors must be AMCA members and only sell antique motorcycles, parts and related items 35 years and older. This official policy is strictly enforced and helps to keep these events what I like to call a real swap meet not just another event that is clogged up with t shirts, sunglasses and the same old crap you see at every other motorcycle event. Since the vendor spaces are reserved for AMCA members only this swap meet has that homecoming feel to it where everybody knows everybody else no matter how far you have traveled. It seemed like we all had all just arrived, set up and started to do some shopping and swapping vintage parts when the announcement over the PA system came that the members of the Fort Sutter Chapter had a free BBQ going on for all of the vendors in one of the large convention buildings adjacent to the swap meet field. All of the vendors were treated to hamburgers, hot dogs, salads of many varieties, fresh cherries, cookies and all the rest of the ingredients that make up a good old fashioned family BBQ. Friday morning dawned with clear blue skies and the promise of more high temperatures but this was the first official swap meet day and most booths were ready to go at 8 am. The vendor's booths were not the only thing to do here at the Dixon Swap meet. Throughout the day there were various technical seminars being conducted for show attendees on how to repair antique generators, vintage speedometers, gas tanks etc. At a AMCA swap meet you do not have to attend a technical seminar to gain some knowledge about your hobby. You will find that most of the vendors are happy to give you some much needed advice on what part fits what and what is correct for your application. Friday wrapped up with a very tasty tri tip BBQ Banquet for all AMCA members who wanted to attend for a mere $18.00. Saturday morning brought more clear skies, warm temperatures, and more of a crowd coming through the gates to do a little shopping and swapping. There were even more technical seminars going on this morning in addition to a good old fashioned field meet going on in the south field with no motorcycle younger than 35 years old allowed. The winners of the field meet were D'Nell Krafton coming in at first and a tie between Mark and Vickie Milton for 2nd and 3rd. Also all of the riders were registering for the Longest Distance Ridden on a motorcycle 35 years or older. As luck would have it 3 friends from Washington State living within a few miles of each other took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Taking first place was Paul Anderson riding his 1950 Panhead 1,163 , Mike Boehike took second after riding his 1948 Panhead 1,142 miles and in 3rd was Bob Gage who had ridden 1,140 miles on his 1941 Knucklehead. That is what is great about these AMCA swap meets and show; you get to see the coolest old motorcycles out in the wind and the sunshine doing what they were built to do, being ridden. By noon it was hot but the competition for the National Judging was even hotter. Entries in the show being judged for National Points have been meticulously restored, preserved or modified according to what was popular during their particular period of production with accessories available during that time. The owners of these motorcycles and the judges who do the scoring take this competition very, very seriously. But this kind of attention to the details keeps the standards quite high and you can take it to the bank if a motorcycle has been judged 100 points at a National AMCA Meet, it is as close as you can get without building a time machine and traveling back to the time that it was new and had just rolled off the production line. The winners of the Motorcycle Show were People's Choice Pat Taylor and his 1948 HD Bobber with Vickie Milton as the runner up with her 1949 Indian Arrow. Judged as the most unique in 1st place were Richard Morris and his 1912 Henderson and Paul Thomas coming in second with his 1917 HD Single. The Period Modified Class saw Leonard Miller coming in 1st place with his 1947 Knucklehead, 2nd place went to James Inman with his 1947 Knucklehead and 3rd place went to Pat Taylor with his 1948 Panhead. The oldest motorcycle in the show was a 1907 Curtis owned by Wes Allen, the Best Rat prize went to Oluf Olufson and his 1925 HD JD model and the Best Accessorized Award was taken by Mike Kane and his 1935 Indian Chief. By late afternoon the shoppers had gone home to the air conditioning, the vendors were packing up for the journey home, and the Fort Sutter Chapter volunteers were busy cleaning up the fairgrounds. If you already love the sound of an antique motorcycle, have a vintage motorcycle or if you are curious about the history of the motorcycle then you should check out the AMCA web site at www.antiquemotorcycle.org where there is a complete schedule of their events for the entire year. But be sure you make plans to attend this great event next June. You do not want to miss this swap meet. Ride if you got 'em.. |
