AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
March 2014
vikingamca@yahoo.com
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
http://www.vikingmc.org
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Upcoming Club Events ………... 2
President’s Message, Editor’s
Note & Holiday Party………….. 3
IMS Show 2014 …..………….…. 4
How We Started ….……………. 5
Sturgis Ride of ’89 ……....…..... 6
Tips ’n Tidbits …….………....… 7
Wanted & For Sale …………….. 8
Extended Version (EV) …….. 9 on
John J. Cerilli has been selected to fill the position
of Executive Director for the AMCA as of January
1st 2014. Until now the national club’s management was in the hands of a volunteer Board of Directors, headed by Board President Richard Spagnolli. By hiring an Executive Director the AMCA
has taken the next step in its evolution: bringing in a
full-time manager who’s focus will be membership
service and long-term growth.
“I am deeply honored to accept this position and I
feel this new role is a natural for me,” noted Cerilli.
“I have been involved with motorcycles for 45 years
and have been running a website focused on vintage
machines for several years. I sincerely look forward
to helping in the growth of the largest antique motorcycle organization in the US.”
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT:
Ron Spargo
952-443-2020
ronspargo@mindspring.com
VICE-PRESIDENT:
Sean O’Neil
612-870-0766
moneil2@comcast.net
DIRECTORS:
Roger Rimnac
612-825-2550
motorog1@yahoo.com
Bob Hopf
612-867-5654
codyz@juno.com
Timothy O’Keeffe
651-675-6560
okeeffetim@hotmail.com
Craig Kotval
651-269-1975
aquila1975@comcast.net
TREASURER:
Roy Williams
612-377-6146
kathyroyw@gmail.com
SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP:
CLUB HISTORIAN:
Tom Jones
763-533-9163
DEPUTY JUDGE:
Jerry Richards
651-482-0096
trudijr@visi.com
WEB/EMAIL:
Doug Nelson
612-559-9595
doug.nelson@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER:
Tim Gadban
651-235-5898
tvgadban@gmail.com
Kathi Rimnac
612-825-2550
motokat2@yahoo.com
40th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE !!
1
UPCOMING EVENTS
Note:
Board of Directors (B.O.D) meetings are open to all members. When held at a chapter member’s home, please notify the
host ahead of time.
Wednesday Mar 19, 7pm
March General Meeting
Jack Crane Museum
1301 East Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN 55337
952-927-8126
Wednesday June 4, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Sean O’Neil’s Home,
5528 13th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN
612-870-0766
Saturday Mar 29 thru Sunday Mar 30
DennisKirk/Donnie Smith Bike & Car Show
River Center
Kellogg Blvd & 7th Street, St Paul, MN 55102
651-265-4800
Saturday June 7, 10am
Ride to Hollywood Roadhouse
(Hiway 7 & Co. Rd. 33)
Meet at Bob Hopf’s.at 10am (ride at 11am)
8784 Knollwood Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
612-867-5654
Wednesday April 16, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Roger & Kathi Rimnac’s Home
8399 Bavaria Road, Victoria, MN 55286
952-443-2020
Friday June 13 & Saturday June 14
Antique & Classic Motorcycle Show
Progress Bldg., Minnesota State Fair Grounds
Wednesday April 23, 7pm
April General Meeting
Mid-America Auctions
2008 County Road C, Roseville, MN 55113
651-633-9655
Tuesday April 29, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg.
Dulono’s Pizza
607 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Saturday May 10, 9am
InterMarque Vintage Foreign Car Show
Downtown Osseo, MN
Wednesday May 14, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting
Jerry & Trudi Richards Home
3295 Victoria Street No, Shoreview MN
651-482-0096
Saturday May 17, 1pm
Rockers Spring Social (Ton-Up Club)
Club Jaeger
923 Washington Ave North, Minneapolis
8-1/2 x 11
POSTER
ON PG. 12
OF EV
Wednesday May 21, 7pm
May General Meeting
Blue Cat Motors
460 North Prior Ave, St Paul, MN
Saturday May 24, 10am
Vintage Bike Spring Ride
Meet at Freedom Gas Station
Prescott, WI
Tuesday May 27, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg.
Dulono’s Pizza, 607 West Lake Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Sunday June 15, 10am-3pm
Blind Lizard Rally
Nicollet Island, Minneapolis
2
SPARKY’S PLUG
By Ron Spargo
I’m sitting here in my home office trying to figure out what pearls of wisdom to thrust upon you this issue and all I can see out my
window is snow and more snow. I was so hoping to see some indication that spring was forthcoming but it seems that will not happen for a while yet. Bummer, because I really want to get out and ride……soon. The bright spot in all of this is that earlier this week
I was heading out to run some errands and when I turned onto the main highway I saw a rider heading the other direction. I glanced
at the digital thermometer in the car and it read 23 degrees! This person must have needed a ride much worse than I do.
Anyway, this just shows that it’s never too early to start prepping our machinery and ourselves for the riding season. We all want to
get out as soon as possible but please be sure both you and your bike are ready. Most of us are old enough and have been riding for
long enough that we know what the necessary tasks are before we ride. This brings me to another issue that some of us may choose
to ignore but most of us might benefit from and that is a rider refresher course from the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center. Yes, I
know we all think we are excellent riders but there is always that little bit of additional knowledge that could potentially save your
bacon in an emergency. They offer sessions for all rider skills. Give them a call at 800-407-6677. You don’t have to tell any one that
you took the course unless you feel your friends and riding buddies might learn something new as well.
The club has a full schedule of events planned for 2014 and I encourage you to check the event schedule in this issue as well as on
the Viking Chapter web site. We have something planned for everyone and we want to see as many of you as we can. These events,
rides, shows, etc. don’t just happen by themselves so if you want to volunteer some time check in with the point person for that
event and see what you can do. Your help will be appreciated and I think you will have a good time.
I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the new members that joined us this winter. You will be getting a welcome call from
a board member soon so make a note with all the questions you may have.
There are a few new features in the newsletter and we would like to get your feedback. Let us know what you think and what else
you would like to see. After all, it is your club! Come on Spring!!!!
EDITOR’S NOTE
Well guess what …. with very little hoopla the Viking Chapter’s 40th Anniversary has snuck up on us and is cause not just for celebration but for tipping a helmet to our founding/charter members. This edition of the Re-Cycle newsletter features articles by longtime members Tom Jones and Keith Peters, which casts a light on the early days of the club and really shows how much things have
changed yet essentially remained the same. Names change but bikes survive and the passion for restoring and riding them remains
undiminished and will outlive all of us …. at least until the government bans the use of internal combustion engines!
Our National Meet (concurrent with the VJMC show) is scheduled for June 13/14 at the Progress Building in the Minnesota State
Fair grounds (see Page 2). Contact, call, email, buy a beer for every creeping crawling thing on two (or three) wheels that would
have any interest in the history of motorcycles. I bamboozled some of my co-workers to come down (some begrudgingly) and they
all left with huge grins on their faces and accosted me afterwards with “I never imagined such a cool show could be put together” or
“I never knew so many vintage bikes could be collected under one roof” One of them actually got the bug and is currently restoring
a ‘73 Suzuki GT750. So …. you never know what your cajoling might lead to! Our new national Prez, John Cerilli, (see Page 1) is
threatening to make the rounds of AMCA national meets, so let’s hope we can roll out the red (sic) carpet for him in June.
Note: wherever “EV” is used indicates a reference to the Electronic (extended) Version. These extra pages contain additional photos
or information related to some articles.
Viking Chapter Holiday Party - January 11, 2014
Yum yum yum …as the Brits say, it was “Brilliant!” Special thanks to Tom and Cheryl Whittles for masterminding the kitchen and
to all those who contributed grub and silent auction treasures. It was a rare occasion to chow down, socialize and hob-nob that we
probably won’t have with so many members again until the Chaska picnic. Silent auction was a success and earned the club $582.
Ivar Natins received a much-deserved special volunteer tribute award while Cal Spooner and Tim Gadban were presented with Century Rider patches that they earned on the 2013 Davenport Run. (See Pg 9-10 of EV for full list of Century Riders & more pics)
3
CLUB NEWS
International Motorcycle Show (IMS) Jan 17 thru Jan 19, 2014 by Ron Spargo
This year’s International Motorcycle Show held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in January was once again a showcase for
most of the new models and accessories. Of particular interest were the new Indian motorcycles. It will be interesting to see how
they compete with Harley Davidson and Victory.
The Viking Chapter’s display emphasized the diversity of machinery to be found in our club. There was a good selection of daily
riders, restored classics, competition bikes and café racers from the USA, England, Japan, Germany and Italy. Judging from the number of folks asking questions, telling us about their rides or just staring at the bikes, I think the show was a success for the Viking
Chapter. The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) also had an outstanding selection of bikes in their display. The two club
displays were next to each other and were positioned so that all of the bikes could be easily seen.
I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time or displayed a bike. Your efforts helped make the show a hit. It’s never
too early to start thinking about next year’s show. If you have never shown your bike at this show we want to see it at the show next
year. It doesn’t need to be a show bike but it does need to be 35 years old (or older). Let us know what you want to bring and we’ll
start the list. It’s never too early to plan ahead.
“Here I Come to Save the Day !!!”
“Maybe I Could Ride All Winter on this Russian Contraption !!”
More IMS pics on Pg 11 Of EV
AMCA Viking Chapter Bikes Displayed:
Sid Chantland– 1921 Evans 119cc; Ron Spargo-1939 BSA M-20; Jene Berghoff -1949 Norton International 500cc ; Jack Crane 1950 AJS 500cc; Nancy Wyatt - 1950 BSA Bantam; Bill Bune -1958 BSA Goldstar 500cc; Bill Bune - 1960's Triumph Track Master
750; Jim Koskovich -1965 Gilera 124cc; Ron Spargo -1967 BSA 441cc Shooting Star; Dave Rademacher -1967 Velocette LE 200cc;
Sean O'Neil -1967 HD XLH Sporster; Cris Spargo -1967 Yamaha TA125-AHRMA 200GP Racer; Bill Bune -1967 Triumph 650cc
TT Special; Mike Blackburn -1968 Honda 450 Police Bike; Jim Winteren -1971 Montesa; Dave Wogsland -1971 BSA Lightning
650cc; Dave Wogsland -1972 Suzuki; Jack Crane -1975 Norton Commando; Cris Spargo -1976 Yamaha RD400- AHRMA Champion Bike; Gary Kloss -1977 BMW R90/6.
4
CLUB NEWS
1954-1974-2014 Anniversaries ….. “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun” by Tom Jones
Do you remember: Blackjack chewing gum; candy cigarettes; butch wax; roller skate keys; Studebakers; lying about your age? Do
you remember 1954?
In 1954 they no longer made “real” Indians. In 1954 Harleys came with a 50 th anniversary emblem on their front fender. In 1954 the
Antique Motorcycle Club (AMC) was formed. This would be the foundation for our current Antique Motorcycle Club of America
(AMCA).
In 1954 the AMC had only two motorcycle classes: Antique (1929 or older) and Post-Antique (1930 to 1942). The 35 year rule did
not yet exist. The other thing that did not seem to exist in 1954 was “the speculator” and prices that made it difficult for a “man of
modest means” to enjoy the sport. Barn finds weren’t featured on TV shows. Over-restored bikes did not show up on trailers. You
didn’t buy an old motorcycle because it was “money in the bank.” Many who bought and rode old bikes did so because they couldn’t afford a new machine.
In 1954 most people who joined the AMC were enthusiasts rather than collectors or accumulators. Cheap old bikes led to collections
and the preservation of many bikes that probably would have seen their last days on the scrap heap.
1974 – AMF Harleys, John Denver, oil shortages, the British motorcycle industry on its last legs and here in Minnesota another cold
winter. With the help of a keg of beer, a group of eight old bike enthusiasts decided to try and start a chapter of the AMC here in
Minnesota. The word went out and on April 9 th, 27 riders showed up in St Paul and voted to form a chapter of the national AMC ….
if they’d have us. Voting to start a chapter was easy, picking a name was not. The British faction wanted something like “The Dagmynos Chapter”, a name that was totally confusing to people who ride Harleys and fish through holes in the ice. Finally, after several votes, “The Viking Chapter” carried the day. Of the 27 who attended that first meeting in St Paul, few had a bike that qualified
as either antique or post-antique …. we saw this a no problem.
1974 – Willie Jensen was our first President. We had no money (any that we did get was kept in a coffee can). There were two major events scheduled for the summer: Davenport and a picnic in Chaska. We were off and riding! (To be continued)
Rick Wyatt - Charter Member
Bob Battin - Charter Member
Tom Jones
Charter Member
Roy Egeberg - Charter Member
on 1910 Pierce
Harvey Berquist
Charter Member
5
Lola Jensen - Charter Member
CLUB NEWS
First Chaska Picnic
Jerry Stageberg presents prize to
Kenny Trimbo at First Chaska Picnic
The Viking Chapter’s Sturgis Ride of 1989 – 25 Years Ago!
Don Hagen
Shows at Davenport
by Keith Peters
Getting ready for Sturgis 2014? Remember the Viking Chapter’s ride to Sturgis of 1989, the 49the annual Sturgis Rally? Here are
some highlights of that trip as recorded in my trip journal.
As continues in tradition, the Chapter riders met at the (formerly named) Country Kitchen on highway 7 near Minnetonka. I was on
our 1951 Chief “Exxon Valdez” and Grease (Ron Garren) rode his 1945 Harley. While gassing up I asked if Grease could get the
cap off something for me. He said yes and that he had great hand strength because he had been choking the chicken for so long.
After visiting Dean Hanson’s pork ranch, we camped at Wessington Springs and went into the Red Dog Saloon (long since fallen
down), where the waitress looked like Debra Winger.
Mel and Bonnie at the KOA/Deadwood had grown grass in the camping area so we tented in luxury. In a walk-around of Deadwood, a bunch of us went into the Army surplus store (pre-casinos) back when Deadwood was still a former mining town. We
stopped into the police station to get toilet paper for the public toilet. Some of this year’s attendees I noted and we hung out with
(among many others not noted) included Gloria Peters, Jack Fish, Rick/Lisa/Linda Schunk, Joe & Ed Grayden, Doug Sather, Rollie
& Sue Stohrer. We saw Malcolm Forbes on Main Street in Sturgis, and I think this is the year that Tom Jones had Mr. Forbes sign a
$ million check (Tom’s account, not Mr. Forbes’.) A bunch of us went to The Circle B Ranch for their cowboy “beans & cornbread”
dinner and music show one night. They played lots of “Sons of the Pioneers” type cowboy music.
At least once during the week we had breakfast at the old, tilting and sinking “Latchstring Inn” about half-way down the Spearfish
Canyon road. During the week some of us rode down to Jewel Cave and Hot Springs. By Friday night, the downtown Sturgis’s
crowd was severely down because many people had already gone home. Some of us started the ride home with a Saturday morning
breakfast at Wiemer’s Bakery, downtown Sturgis, and headed east to try and ride between the thunderstorms. We camped again at
Wessington Springs and rode into the Cities on a nice-weather Sunday. I noted that we left for Sturgis with 530 miles on the Indian’s engine (rebuilt by Kenny Trembo, late Viking Chapter member from Henderson, MN) and put another 1,700 miles on it during this week. It pulled a lot harder after I advanced the timing. As I heard Grease saying, it wouldn’t pull ‘a sickly whore off a
greasy bar stool.’ The guy majored in BS.
Keith & Gloria Peters in front of the Moonshine Gulch Saloon
6
TIPS ‘N TIDBITS
EVILS of ETHANOL from the Editor
“Ethanol is bad for everything … it is a tool of the devil himself. Avoid ethanol, herpes and the Venereal Trifecta with equal fervor
and diligence” - Bonehead.
Ah Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) … the bane of every vintage motorcycle carburetor and anathema to engine gaskets, seals and rubber
parts. There is a spirited debate on the negative aspects of ethanol, but two things are clear …. over time it takes its toll on carburetor and engine parts and that fuel additives are not a good choice to counter the effects. For those of us that do not want grains and
vegetables in our gasoline there are some alternatives. Ergo this short article and a list of service stations that dispense ethanol-free
gasoline locally. For a comprehensive statewide list consult this website http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=MN
Minneapolis: Dave’s Riverside Shell - 2817 Riverside Ave
Geller Auto - 4601 Minnehaha Ave South
Jim’s Chicago Service - 5400 Chicago Ave So
University Service - 1625 Como Ave SE
Minnetonka: Glen Lake Mobile - 14525 Excelsior Blvd
New Brighton: Beach’s Service - 2251 Long Lake Rd
Hermann’s Hwy Service - 500 Old Hwy 8 NW
North St Paul: Short Stop - 2473 Division Street North
Plymouth: BP Station - 3855 Plymouth Blvd
VIP Auto Service - 9950 County Rd 9
Richfield: Penn BP - 6601 Penn Ave South
Richfield 66 - 1217 East 66th Street
Rosemount: Shell Station - 7468 167th Street West
Roseville: Dale BP - 2151 Dale Street North
Savage: Valley Oil Co - 7369 Hiway 13 West
So St Paul: Kaposia Station - 1301 Southview Blvd
St Paul: All American Auto Service - 1036 Grand Ave
Highland Service - 485 Snelling Ave South
M&H - Arcade & Minnehaha
Parkway BP - 304 Wheelock Pkwy East
St Paul Park: Duffy’s Union - 701 Broadway Ave
White Bear Lake: Classic Collision Center - 4061 Hiway 61
Anoka: Superamerica - 750 West Main Street
Apple Valley: Kwik Trip - 7575 145TH Street West
River Co. Co-op - 15050 Galaxie Ave
Burnsville: Burnsville Auto Repair (BP) - 12001 Co. Road 11
Eden Prairie: Holiday Stationstore 12619 Valley View Road
Edina: Wally’s Service - 4500 Valley View Road
Forest Lake: Karl’s Korner BP - 1107 Hiway 97 East
Hopkins: Midnite Market - 5 South 6th Ave
Inver Grove Hts: Sinclair - 6466 Cahill Ave
Trestle Stop - 9717 South Robert Trail
Lake Elmo: Hagberg’s Market - 11325 Stillwater Blvd
Lake Elmo Oil - 11127 Stillwater Blvd
River Country Co-op - 4201 Manning Ave North
Lakeville: Mills Fleet Farm - 17070 Kenrick Ave
River Country Co-op - 9290 202nd Street
Maple Grove: Maple Grove BP - 13379 Bass Lake Road
Maple Lake: Cenex - 4825 Hiway 55
Maple Plain: Olson’s Market (Cenex) - 5249 Hiway 12
Maplewood: Amstar - 1690 McKnight Road North
Fleming’s Bear 36 Auto - 2271 White Bear Ave
RIDING TO HEAVEN ON A HARLEY
Bill Standley was spectacularly laid to rest in a Mechanicsburg Ohio cemetery on January 23, 2014 while seated on his beloved
1967 Electra Glide, thanks to the handiwork of five embalmers who used a metal back brace with straps. Standley’s sons built the
plexiglass box to contain bike and rider, designed in turn to fit inside a nine-by-eleven foot cement container needed for burial. The
whole project was Bill’s dying wish and had been planned out for over six years.
7
Viking Chapter AMCA Inc.
7314 Chicago Ave South,
Richfield, MN 55423
MARCH 2014
Winter - by Kim Scholer
FOR SALE
Extension for motorcycle Handy Lift
(for longer wheelbase bikes). $50
Call Dave 763-755-8520
FOR SALE
1983 Honda CB1000, 55K mi, Shaft,
Dual Range Trans, Good cond. $1150
Call Tim 651-235-5898
WANTED
Vincent basket case or project bike.
Also interested in misc. parts.
Call Tim 651-675-6560
8
MORE PICS FROM THE JAN 11 HOLIDAY PARTY
9
CENTURY RIDER PATCH RECIPIENTS
The Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Viking Chapter
CENTURY RIDER PATCHES
As of January 17, 2014
Qualifications for a Century Rider
The rider’s age plus the bike’s age must equal 100 or more.
You must ride at least 500 miles in two days. The days do not have to be consecutive but must be
done during a single event. A ride to Davenport, IA and home in 3 days later is okay.
The event must be AMCA or Viking Chapter approved.
Century riders must be a member of the Viking Chapter at the time of the ride.
Who and When Started the Century Rider Award?
Tom Jones, 2009, Charter Member of the Viking Chapter.
Century Rider Member
Harvey Berquist
Keith Braun
Craig Kotval
Steve Doeden
Tim Gadban
Joel Hamel
Dean Hansen
Tom Jones
Paul Joswick
Gary Kloss
Glen Konz
Paul Meisel
Doug Nelson
Ivar Natins
Tom Nordmeyer
Keith Peters
Kerry Rasmussen
Paul St. John
Rick Schunk
Ralph Smith
Steve Solnitzky
Cal Spooner
Ron Spargo
Rich Syverson
John Wright
Date & Place Patch Awarded
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 11, 2014 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 7, 2011 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
January 5, 2013 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 5, 2013 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 9, 2010 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN
January 11, 2014 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
January 5, 2013 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN
Prepared by and Updated by: Tom Jones and Trudi Johnson-Richards, Viking Chapter
10
MORE PICS FROM THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Triumph on Steroids?!? …. who needs brakes?!?!
11
12