North Alabama Vintage Riders Digest for March 23, 2019

[renchinrider]

 Hi, Everyone!

At long last, I'm taking advantage of the thunderstorms to complete and publish the Riders Digest.  To say I've been busy is quite the understatement!  But, at last, here's a compilation of articles and photos for your entertainment, followed by a long range calendar of vintage motorcycle activities.

First, a few notes about our activities this past Saturday.  We had a door-buster crowd at the Blue Plate for breakfast.  Noticeably absent was RJ, who sent word that he was ill.  Turns out that he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent immediate surgery to remove his appendix.  Thankfully, surgery went well, and he's now at home resting.  His doctor has restricted him from lifting anything greater than 10 lbs for the next four weeks, so I'm sure he'll be grateful for your notes, calls, thoughts and prayers as he recovers.

Following breakfast, a number of us traveled to Redstone Harley-Davidson, where we met with general manager Nigel.  In short, Nigel is a true motorcyclist, having raced Hondas, and having later served on their test team before migrating over the Harley-Davidson.  Together, we discussed putting together a partnered activity in September, 2019.  Mike Long did a great job speaking for the group, and we concluded the meeting with an understanding that we'll meet again within NAVMC and finalize what we would like to do, and then we'll share it with Nigel.  From there, Nigel is eager to move forward, and committed to promote the event using all of the traditional and electronic media tools that he has at the dealership's disposal.

I didn't get any photos during the meeting, but was able to capture this photo during our tour of the facility and grounds.  In this photo, Nigel had us inside Redstone H-D's new dyno room, three sides of which project into the showroom where the test bike's owner, and everyone else in the facility can watch each dyno test as it happens.  Because of the room's state-of-the-art soundproofing, shoppers are able to continue their activities even as each dyno test is underway.

Now, on to some information and entertainment:

Here's an interesting article on Harley's ongoing "Battle of the Kings" dealership build-off competition.  It has some cool pics.  The one that caught my eye is the "General Mayhem."  Funny how that bike, built by employees at a dealership, looks almost identical to the new FXDB that we got to see at Redstone Harley this past Saturday.  It's nice to see that Harley listens to its employees and customers.

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/us-is-in-mix-for-2019-harley-davidson-battle-kings-competition?src=SOC&dom=tw

On the subject of bike builds, New Zealand blogger Liz Hardy got it right when she noted how many motorcycles' visual appeal can be found in the shape, design and paint on their gas tanks!

https://www.pillioness.com/motorcycle-tanks/

Just to help build enthusiasm to twist the wrenches, here's a cool video of a British rider firing up two VERY antique Douglas motorcycles!

https://twitter.com/classicrider/status/1108032538671546368


Anyone interested in buying a vintage-style helmet that offers full-face protection and modern safety features?

https://windburnedeyes.com/biltwell-gringo-full-face-helmet/
   

How about taking off to New Jersey to participate in AHRMA's Nick Ienatsch road racing school on May 23rd?  If this interests you, click this link and send in your statement of interest!    https://www.ahrma.org/road-racing/roadracing-school-at-new-jersey-motorsports-park-gauging-interest/
   
Looking forward:  Who's ready to try an electric motorcycle?  Twitter blogger Windburned Eyes shared an article by British journalist Suzi Perry in which she met with a group of electric motorcyclists to discuss the pros and cons of each.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5VFwt66f1qG1c249JSzK6q4/can-you-convince-a-petrolhead-to-go-electric
   
Looking back:  The National Motorcycle Museum published this story a few days ago.  It discusses the 1956 Aprilla Grand Sport 175.  It proves that cafe-style bikes are nothing new!   https://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/2019/03/22/1956-parilla-gs175/

And the week prior, National Motorcycle Museum published this article on the 1970 Norton Commando 750 Road Racer...  https://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/2019/03/15/1970-norton-commando-road-racer/


https://twitter.com/mrjaydeeem/status/1107367244328243203

Now, on to our extended calendar:

March 28 - 31:  March Moto Madness - Mother Rally, 801 Steer Creek Rd, Tellico Plains, TN.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/43666  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Al Goodwin and several others are going.   Al has a discussion/coordination forum going on MotorcycleAlabama for anyone interested in joining him and his group.  They'll be staying at the Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.  https://www.motorcyclealabama.com/rides/index.php?topic=3243.msg29446#msg29446



March 30:  2nd Annual Meet Me In The City [Vintage] Motorcycle Swap Meet, 2299 Morris Ave, Birmingham, AL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/51290

April 6:  National Vintage Motocross Racing at DeSoto Motorsports Park, Grand Cane, LA.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49715

April 7:  23rd Annual Mobile Bay Vintage Motorcycle Club Vintage Motorcycle Show, Green Park, Dauphin Island, AL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/51270

April 8-10:  AMCA Cherokee Chapter National Road Run, Kerrville, TX.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49607

April 13:  National Vintage Motocross Racing at Diamond Don's, Jefferson, TX.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49717

April 25-29:  Sidecars in the Smokies Rally, Iron Horse Campground, Robbinsville, NC.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50013

April 25-28:  10th Annual Spring Shovelhead Retreat, at the Kickstand Lodge, Stecoah, NC.  UPDATE:  It looks like I'll be committed elsewhere during this time period, so I won't be attending after all.  However, I'll continue to carry the event for any of you who may be interested.

April 26-27:  AMCA Perkiomen Chapter Motorcycle Show, Oley, PA.  http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/index.php?page=nat-l-meets-road-runs-old

April 27:  Athens Car and Bike Show, on the square, Athens, AL.

April 27:  Meltdown Vintage Motorcycle Show, Southern Appalachian Brewery, Hendersonville, NC.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50691

April 27-28:  Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club Tower Run National Dual Sport Ride and Adventure Rally, 2464 County Road 26, Plantersville, AL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/45212

April 27-28:  Nirvana's Rockin' in the Holler Spring Rally, 704 Britton Hollow Road, Pulaski, TN.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/51221

April 28:  4th Annual Cycle Works Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet, Goshen, IN.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50934

May 1-5:  Spring Thunder Beach Rally, as well as Biker Book for Charity book signings, Panama City Beach, FL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/51025

May 2-4:  37th Annual Tennessee GWRRA District "Spring Fling", Pigeon Forge, TN.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49256

May 5:  3rd annual Motorcycle swap meet put on by the Metro Detroit AMCA chapter taking place at Shark Club Waterford (6665 Highland Rd, Waterford, MI 48327)

May 5-11:  20th Annual Eastern Two-Stroke Rally, Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort, 17548 Tapoco Rd, Tapoco, NC 28771.  Note that our own Mike Long has been nominated by the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Association to document this year's 20th anniversary event (Congratulations, Mike!).  If any others of you plan to join Mike (and several others who have already announced plans to attend, contact Michael Long by PM on facebook to coordinate travel and linkup arrangements.

May 11:  Vintage Motorcycle Show at the home of the "Critter Bikes", Lake Hill Motors, Corinth, MS.  https://www.lakehillmotors.com/  Plans are already in the making for a group ride from Huntsville to Corinth to visit and/or take part in the show!  More details forthcoming.

May 11:  National Vintage Motocross Racing, Jimmy Weinert Facility, Maysville, NC.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49718

May 17-19:  AMCA Southern National Meet, 1072 Cranford Rd, Denton, NC.  http://www.amcasouthernnationalmeet.com

May 18:  National Vintage Motocross Racing, Mill Creek MX Park, Combs, AR.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49719

May 18:  Fredericksburg 3rd Annual Vintage Motorcycle Show, Pecan Grove Store, Fredericksburg, TX.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49535

May 18-19:  Motorcycle Legends Weekend at Two Wheels of Suches, Suches, GA.  https://twowheelsofsuches.com/event/motorcycle-legends-weekend-aka-spring-vintage-2-stroke-bike-rally/?instance_id=179

May 19:  Midwest Classic & Antique Motorcycle Club's 7th annual bike show, Hebron, IL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/51307

May 19:  Classic Motorcycle Day, Mt. Airy, MD.  http://classicmotorcycleday.org/

May 24-25:  AMCA-Europe's 2019 International Meet (4-Cylinder theme), Haalte, Netherlands  http://www.amca-europe.eu

May 24-26:  AHRMA Vintage Motorcycle Fest and Swap Meet, Millville, NJ  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50110

May 26:  29th Annual Massachusetts British Iron Association British and Classic Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet, Oxford, MA  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50228

June 2:  41st Annual British Motorcycle Meet, Lancaster, MA  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50230 

June 8:  Vintage Motorcycle Weekend Saturday Ride and Swap Meet, Hickory Corners, MI  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50234

June 8:  National Vintage Motocross Series:  Dutch Sports Park, Bloomingdale, MI  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49721

June 8 - 16:  Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia, NH  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49323

June 10-12:  AMCA Allegheny Mountain Chapter's National Road Run, Ligonier/Seven Springs, PA.

June 28-29: British In the Blue Ridge Rally 2019, Hiawassee, GA.   https://gabma.us/event/2019-british-in-the-blue-ridge-rally/

June 29:  National Motorcycle Museum's 9th Annual Vintage Rally, Anamosa, IA.  https://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/event/9th-annual-vintage-rally-anamosa-iowa-june-29-2019/

July 5-7, 2019.  AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.  Held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH.

Ending with a note on safety:  Here's an article by Cycle World editor Nick Ienatsch on the dangers of drinking and riding.  https://www.cycleworld.com/drinking-and-riding?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5c92f0a04b7385000158ad3b&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
   
Drinking And Riding
This week Nick Ienatsch discusses a test done in 1992 in which he got drunk and rode—on purpose.
www.cycleworld.com

Let's ride! 8)

[Nice Goat]

Wow!  That's a lot going on!

Thanks for taking the time to do this, Rench!