AMCA Everglades Chapter

AMCA Newsletter
October 2014
Page 1
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF
AMERICA (AMCA)
THE AMCA SOUTH FLORIDA EVERGLADES CHAPTER LINES
Chapter News
President
Vice President
Roy Wasson 305-366-5053 Secretary
Wes Scott
Treasurer
Editor:
Bob Anderson 321-258-7935
1002 Glenham Drive NE
Palm Bay, Florida 32905
[email protected]
Web Site:
Penny Anderson
Clare Frost
http://evergladeschapter.tripod.com
AMCA Everglades Chapter The First Ten Years, Part One: By Roy Wasson,
Chapter President (The Original Nightrider)
Most of us share the sense of time passing faster as we grow older. That said, it still is hard to
imagine that more than a decade has passed since we formed Florida=s Everglades Chapter of
the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. It would be impossible to recount all of the chapter=s
accomplishments, challenges, and changes over the period since we held our first organizational
meeting, and this brief article will not even try to do that. For a complete history of the
Everglades Chapter, our webmaster Mike Pruszynski has added all of the back issues of this
newsletter to the chapter website, and I recommend that all membersBnew and oldBbrowse
through those archived issues to rekindle old memories and gain new insight into our club. This
article provides a brief glimpse into a few of the many historical highlights of the Everglades
Chapter. This is the first of a two-part series; this part covers the first five years of the chapter:
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October 2014
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2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. A later issue will summarize the next five years of our
history.
2004 Formation and Official Recognition:
Our organizational meeting and first ride took place early in the year, on January 17, 2004.
Twenty-eight founding members met up for breakfast in West Palm Beach, elected our first slate
of officers and directors, conducted other business. That founding board of directors included
Howard Cole, from LaBelle, as vice-president; David Porter, a transplanted Brit living in the
Redland area, who began a long tenure as treasurer; club secretary Jim Buttaccio from Lake
Worth; and directors David Fisher (Punta Gorda), Jack McManus (Boca Raton), Mike Pruszynski
(Miami), and Jack Stauffer (Fort Myers). Bob Anderson began his long on-and-off career as our
editor of what many national AMCA members have recognized is one of the finest newsletters in
the national club. The AEverglades Chapter@ was selected as our name from a list of
suggestions including Southern Cross, the Sea Level Chapter, Gator Chapter, Gold Coast, and
Seminole. After the meeting we enjoyed a leisurely ride along A1A, past multi-million dollar
mansions and mega yachts, to lunch in Fort Lauderdale.
By March of 2004 our fledgling chapter was up to forty-eight members. We had two more road
runs in our first year: one in April through Everglades National Park along one of South Florida=s
most remote roadways. The third ride of the year was called the AIndian Summer Run,@ held in
September, starting at the Miccosukee truck stop off I-75 through the Big Cypress Indian
Reservation along Snake Road to Lake Okeechobee. There we had the first of several lunch
meetings at the Clewiston Inn. On September 2, 2004 the AMCA national board of directors
issued our chapter=s official charter.
2005 Membership Expands Almost Statewide:
Word got out about our fun chapter, so by the second year we were in existence our
membership had spread almost throughout the State of Florida. David Porter conducted a study
showing that our sixty-four members were spread from the Florida Keys north through Dade,
Broward and Palm Beach Counties, all the way up to Bob and Penny Anderson=s home in Palm
Bay (Brevard County); over to Fort White, which is near Orlando; across to Lakeland; then down
the southwest coast through Fort Myers and Naples.
Our leadership stayed about the same in 2005 with Howard Cole being elected as Vice
President and Kelli Webb taking over as chapter secretary. Our first chapter ride that year was
the scenic Alva to Fort Myers ride. 2005 was the year of our first ride through the Florida Keys,
with that event in April taking us from Key Largo to Seven Mile Grill in Marathon. In September
we rode in the Labelle and Fort Myers area. Another chapter ride in November took us back
along the coastal area of Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
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We spent much of the year planning our first National Road Run, a very ambitious project for a
new chapter. Two of our more artistic members provided concepts for logos that our chapter
has used ever since, including the fender/wheel/alligator design on our website that is our official
logo and the ASwampwater Sam@ mascot that became our trademark for the 2006 national road
run.
2006 National Road Run and New Chapter Ride Routes:
The Everglades Chapter third year was a year of major activity. Jack Stauffer became VicePresident. Rob Graney became a member of the board of directors.
A mere 25 months after our inaugural meeting, the Everglades Chapter hosted a three-day
national road run. Headquartered at the Miccosukee Resort at Krome Avenue and U.S. 41,
dozens of national members rode with us on routes including the Florida Keys, the Ride Through
the Reservations, and Everglades National Park. The event also had a large banquet and other
festivities typical at national road runs. Because AMCA national president Pete Gagan had
come all the way from British Columbia to attend our event, Clive Taylor loaned Pete his 1957
Triumph T110 for the ride. Pete graciously offered to reciprocate if Clive ever visited Western
Canada and said he would be offended if Clive did not borrow one of Pete’s bikes.
Bob Anderson was the busiest of all our members on the first day, as he was driving the large
chase vehicle on the route to Flamingo in Everglades National Park. He had planned on about
five bikes breaking down out of the fifty or so signed-up for the ride. Before the ride was over his
trailer was filled with seven broken bikes, including three Indians (one of which never made it out
of the parking lot), two sidecar rigs (a Harley and a BMW), and a Zundapp with electrical woes.
The only other incident worth mentioning during the national road run was the Nightrider being
pulled over by one of Monroe County’s finest south of Marathon for (of all things) riding Jim
Howe’s old Triumph too slowly on Overseas Highway. I explained that I was being careful
because my speedometer was not working, so the sheriff’s deputy let me off with a warning.
Even though we were busy planning the national event for the end of February, we held several
other rides as well. Other events in 2006 included our first ride into the Southwest Florida area
of Naples and Marco Island, planned by Alan Berry for April. Alan had the oldest bike on that
ride: his 1938 Triumph Speed Twin. Our destination was the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary. Another very nice ride (which we repeated in later years) was the visit to historic Bok
Tower in July. That is a 205 foot tall singing bell tower with surrounding gardens of lush
vegetation.
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2007 Changes in Officers and First Dania Beach Show:
The start of the fourth year of the Everglades Chapter saw lots of changes and new things. Jack
Stauffer took over for a several-year tenure as chapter president. David Porter turned over the
checkbook to Bob Anderson, who took over as treasurer, and Bob took a break from newsletter
editor duties, which were taken over by Rob Graney. One of the biggest things to happen to one
of our leaders was the birth in January of Mike Pruszyinski’s first child, James Michael.
In January of 2007 the chapter participated in the first annual Dania Beach Antique Motorcycle
Show. The event started out as an art show promoted by a local artist, who asked Clive Taylor
to invite some of our members to put their old motorcycles on display. We had twenty-three
bikes registered for that event, eleven of which were from the west coast of Florida. That is the
Dania Beach show that in recent years has expanded to a free-standing antique motorcycle
event 350 bikes and 8,000 attendees. At the 2007 show, chapter member Alan Smith’s 1914
Harley single and 1920 twin stood out. Pat Regis won the trophy for oldest bike with a 1910
Harley. George Bethany=s restored 1949 Vincent won the Abest of show@ award.
The Everglades Chapter’s first Apoker run@ was held in conjunction with the Dania Beach show
in January of 2007. Bob Anderson won with three of a kind. His clutch cable gave out after he
received the prize, but he rode his 1966 Honda CL 77 Scrambler back to the truck safely to load
up for the long drive back to Brevard County.
In June of 2007 the chapter held a ride in the Lake Placid area. Participants included Clive and
Clare on their 1970 TR5 and 1956 T110; me on my 1967 Honda Dream; Eric Kahn on his 1971
Norton Commando, Alan Berry on his 1938 Speed Twin, and Jim Dingess on his 1947 Indian
Chief. The group enjoyed lunch at the Blue Crab in Sebring, before riding home in a light rain.
2008 Everglades Chapter Fifth Year:
The elections for 2008 chapter leadership saw Jack Stauffer remaining as president; with Clive
Taylor voted-in as Vice-President; Clare Frost as Secretary; Bob Anderson continuing to serve
as Treasurer; and Newsletter Editor Chris Dutton taking over for Rob Graney, who moved to
North Carolina. Our directors also included Roy Wasson, David Porter, Alan Berry, and Eric
Kahn.
The second annual Dania Beach bike show was held on January 26 and 27, 2008. The
Everglades Chapter and the Sunshine Chapter collaborated to made the event a bigger and
better show than the first one, with thirty-six bikes in the judging. On Sunday we had a poker run
and visited the Specialized Motors Shop and Museum.
In May we returned to the Corkscrew Sanctuary for a well-attended chapter ride. Bikes on the
ride through the woods and cattle ranch country included Brad Nelson’s 1946 Harley and Lisa
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Nelson on her 1948 Harley; Alan Berry on his 1938 Speed Twin; Steve Hans on his 1938 Indian
four cylinder.
2008 saw Everglades Chapter member Alan Smith open his Timeless Treasures Antique Motorcycle
and Car Museum in Cape Coral. The riding year ended with the Turkey Ride around Lake
Okeechobee with the Everglades Chapter joining the Sunshine Chapter in its annual event.
For those of our readers who were around for the first five years of the chapter, I am sure that I left out
many fun activities and perhaps some not-so-fun mechanical breakdowns or other disappointments in
this brief summary. I hope to have at least rekindled some of the fond memories of the first half of our
chapter’s first decade. For those of our newer members who were not around in those days, I hope
that this article gives you a glimpse of the early history of the Everglades Chapter. Our best days are
still ahead. Thank you for your continued support and participation.
Welcome New Members: By Clare Frost
Kevin Allen
Tim Allen
Ken Corcoran & Marcy Kellogg
Linda & Garrett Gardner
Fred Harper
Greg Hauswirth
Joshua Mackenzie
Michael Scott
Mark (Torch) & Betsy Tortora
Donna Woods & David Allen
Member Spotlight: By Clive Taylor Sr.
Bill Mead, one of our newest members, has a vintage bike collection that only a single man could
have. You see, the bikes are everywhere! Two in the living room, one in the bedroom, two on the back
porch, four in the garage and even more scattered under tarps in the yard and shed. A
machinist/fabricator/welder by trade, Bill just can’t pass up a good deal and to top it off, he finds out
about these bikes for sale through word of mouth as there is no internet for this guy!
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Bill Mead at Home
Mr. Mead, known in the city of Ft. Lauderdale as “the mayor”, started his love affair with motorcycles
when his uncle ran an Indian Chief up an oak tree and got pretty beat up. After the bike was repaired,
it sat in his uncle’s garage where Bill spent hours drooling over it. Later in the town of Colchester,
Connecticut, he watched Chet Holcomb drag race a twin engine Triumph in the 60’s. He moved to
Florida in 1976 after a stint with the Coast Guard and started his business mainly working for the
marine industry.
Bill is a very good friend to have. I dropped my 2001 Bonneville one day, drove over to his shop and
he had the foot peg welded for me in 15 minutes.His current project is a 1970 BSA Thunderbolt that is
owned by another member Dave Wright. They are on a deadline to have it ready for the Dania Beach
Vintage Motorcycle Show in January, of which Bill is one of the original sponsors with his business,
Orange Crate Motor Works.
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Yes, it is good to be single so you can park your bikes anywhere you want and Bill’s cat, Little Bit loves
to lounge on them. She wants him to bring more bikes into the house!
Here’s a list of bikes he currently owns and he might be “thinning out the herd” so if you are
interested…..
1972
1976
1971
1971
1971
1969
1968
1948
1970
1966
1966
1972
1999
Custom Harley Stroker
BSA Thunderbolt
Tirumph Bonneville
Triumph TR6
Triumph TR100C
Triumph TT Racer
BSA Starfire
Harley Servicar
Triumph Trident
BSA Starfire
BSA Hornet
Triumph Bonneville
Harley Roadking
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1970’s Triumph Chopper
1966 Harley XLCH Sportster
1960’s AMF Roadmaster Bicycle
Bill’s 1972 Harley Stroker was used at a photo shoot with some sexy gals in old downtown Ft.
Lauderdale. Here is Bill with one of the models. WOW!
Bill and Friend
The Myth of the Matchless Motorcycle:
The famous model, Kate Moss, is seen scrawled across a vintage Matchless in the ads to promote a
new clothing line, mainly leather jackets. The pics on the website are pretty neat but it is worth your
time to check out the link to the history of the bike: www.matchless/london.com/en/motorbike
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Matchless Kate
Report from Wauseon AMCA National Meet: By Clare Frost
I have seen the GP at Indianapolis, the Miami Grand Prix, the half mile at Springfield and the Daytona
200, but the races at Wauseon are my very favorite.
These motorcycle races are held on a trotter horse track the Friday night of the meet featuring
boardtrackers and speedway bikes along with classic flattrackers with a special treat this year: A shoot
out race between Geo Roeder on a 850 Norton Twin and Jay Springsteen riding a XR750 Harley. Jay
won by a hair! Wow!
But first let’s talk about the meet. The theme was Cleveland bikes, which we saw at least four along
with a lot of good deals. The vendor area was sold out and was expanded into the camping area,
maybe because the date did not coincide with Mid-Ohio like last year. The weather was nice and cool
which it never is this time of year, and because we flew in, we couldn’t buy the single cylinder Ariel
Red Hunter Clive had his eye on. (He said, since I can’t have a four, can I have a one? He’s always
wanted a square four.) We brought along Dave Wright who had never seen this meet, only Mid-Ohio,
and he says he will never miss Wauseon again. To keep his BSA Lightning company, he bought a
BSA bicycle and was lucky enough to have Dave Clemons bring it back to Ft. Lauderdale for him. It
took two full days to really see everything with bike games, swap meet, bike show and a ride on
Saturday.
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Dave and his BSA Bicycle
Back to these races. There was standing room only left by the time they started and the crowd loved it!
Afterwards we all went into the pits and talked with both Geo and Jay. Blond me says to
Roeder, “It was fixed, right?” He says “no way, I put my best into it and Jay just beat me!” Oh and
Springer, what a character and what a nice guy, he talked to everyone and poised for photos.
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Springer at Wauseon
Traveling to these AMCA National Meets can get pricey living in south Florida, but we always meet the
greatest people and they remember us each year, probably because I ask stupid questions!
Cannonball Race: By Clare Frost
Cannonball Race from Daytona to Tacoma. Over 100 bikes, 1937 and older, left Daytona on
September 5 to ride 4100 miles to finish in Tacoma, Washington. Only 24 finished with a perfect score.
Read all about it at: www.motorcyclecannonball.com
Everglades member Gary McGoron at the start of the Cannonball. He did ride his Goldwing from
Ft. Lauderdale to Daytona but they said his bike was too new to enter!
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Annual Elections Meeting, August 23, 2014: By Secretary Penny Anderson
The meeting was held at the home of Clare Frost and Clive Taylor.in Dania Beach Florida. The
meeting was called to order by President Roy Wasson at 7:38 p.m. Roy introduced the present officers
and members of the BOD. (Alan Berry not present.) (Members/attendees present were 35+)
Editor’s Note: This was not just a working meeting. Clare and Clive were the perfect hostess and
host, opening their home for the evening. We gathered together, enjoyed food and drink, visited,
swapped stories, and made new friendships.
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The coolest Living Room in the Everglades Chapter
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Nice Shop Clive ! ! ! ! How Come it’s so clean?
Clare Frost passed out event schedules. She briefly spoke about a Toy Run on Dec. 5 th, 6th, 7th & 8th
coordinated by Fred Sutton (member) with event Everglades AMCA approved; also that being the
Chapters’ Christmas Party.
Members/attendees present introduced themselves. Established those riding bikes to the meeting –
Eric Lachoff rode the oldest bike; a 1937 Indian and Metalflake Herb rode the “longest distance” on his
Triumph from Hobe Sound. After Jacqueline Scott spoke about her motorcycle background, a
suggestion was made that perhaps she would be interested in Newsletter duties. Also mentioned was
an opening for Secretary. Last recorded minutes (July 15, Teleconference meeting) was read by
Secretary Penny and approved.
Clare read the event schedule. Spoke about the Corkscrew ride scheduled for October 25 th -may not
happen. Next scheduled ride, Oct. 18th, Octoberfest, to be coordinated with the Sunshine Chapter. On
Oct. 26th - Jolly Roger Poker Run, a 2 day event. Nov. 15th – Dania Beach Bike Show. Nov. 22nd –
Ride around Lake Okeechobee. This is an invitation to ride with the Sunshine Chapter. Cost of lunch,
$10 each.
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The Treasurers report was given by Clare.
Discussion was held concerning club membership rates. Clare suggested $10 for a family. Motion was
established. Herb 2nd the motion. Not voted upon. Second motion suggested $15 family per
household. 3rd motion suggested $10 for a single and $15 family per household. Last motion voted
and approved unanimously starting January 1, 2015.
Membership rates for prospective new members from now until the end of the year were discussed.
Voted and approved, “no cost” until Jan. 1st.
Clare spoke concerning a possible (1) free bike registration for paid club members in local shows.
(Chapter to pay for registration) Further discussion was held as to what was considered a “local” show.
In conclusion, the Dania Beach Bike Show was suggested as the only event for this ruling. Motion
voted and approved – Everglades Chapter to pay for (1) bike registered, per paid club member, at the
Dania Beach Bike Show.
Meeting continued with Roy speaking of the annual election. He asked if any of the current BOD
members did NOT want to be considered for that position in the coming year. Carol Fenello declined
her position. Roy asked if any member would like to be nominated to fill the vacancy. (Need 9 directors
total.) Those wanting to be considered were Fred Sutton, Bill Tracy, Jacqueline Scott. The nominees
then spoke a little about themselves – giving insight of qualifications to voting members. After hearing
from the nominees, Roy called absent current board member Alan Berry to ask if he wanted to
retain his BOD position. (No answer). During this time, Clare distributed door prizes.
Lastly, vote was taken on the last BOD opening. (Only 1 candidate left in attendance.) Vote taken and
approved for Jacqueline Scott.
Meeting adjourned 9:45 p.m.
Annual Elections Meeting (Continued), September 27, 2014: By Secretary Penny
Anderson
The meeting was held at the Denny’s Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
President Roy called the meeting to order at 12:28 p.m. Those present include Clare Frost, Clive
Taylor, Greg Hauswirth, Penny & Bob Anderson, Garrett & Linda Gardner, Tom Doyle, Fred Sutton,
Kim Richards, Eric Lachoff, Ken Corcoran, Mark Tortora Toncia, Clive Taylor Jr., Roy Wasson, Carol
Fenello, Bill Tracy, Bob Brandner, and Kevin & Tim Allen.
Clare Frost passed out upcoming “schedule of events” and spoke briefly on them.
President Roy passed out information concerning a “Proposed Amendment” to the by-laws.
Briefly stating that “The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers, up to six directors, and the
Newsletter Editor. The members of the Board of Directors, shall be elected by the membership at
the annual meeting, and the officers and editor shall be elected from the new Board of Directors by the
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members of the new Board of Directors. Changes from the current by-laws to the “Proposed
Amendment” was voted upon by the current BOD and approved.
Next, Roy passed out the election ballots. Those seeking election for the 2015 Board of Directors were
as follows: Penny Anderson, Robert Anderson, Robert Brandner, Clare Frost, Linda Gardner,
Jacqueline Scott, Wes Scott, Fred Sutton, Clive Taylor, and Roy Wasson. Roy suggested everyone
introduce themselves and give a short talk as to their motorcycle history for support of candidacy. Then
Roy asked if anyone would like to be considered as a” write in” candidate. Bill Tracy was
acknowledged as such and gave a brief review of himself. With the number of candidates seeking
election (11) AND that which complies to the newly passed amendment, it was voted and passed that
all candidates would be accepted to the new BOD 2015.
From the new BOD, nominations for the following offices were as follows: President, Clive Taylor, Vice
President, Wes Scott (absent but seeking election),Secretary Linda Gardner, Treasurer Clare Frost and
Newsletter Editor, Jacqueline Scott (absent but seeking election.) Nominations were accepted. Vote
taken. All were elected to their corresponding offices.
Meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
Editor’s Note: This was not just a work meeting. We lunched from the Denny’s Menu,
then gathered outside for a short bike tour of the area.
Motorcycles and Hamburgers
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Poor Roy’s Ride is Belly Up
We cruised through the Fort Lauderdale residential area, past gorgeous homes, several
exclusive Marinas and finally ended the ride at a local Charity Classic Car Show on the
Marina Mile Highway. A great time was had by all, well almost all. Roy’s ride fouled a
plug at the first rest stop and wouldn’t restart. Fortunately, Penny and Bob were stuck in
the back of the pack with their 4-wheeler and Roy was able to finish the ride with them.
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AMCA Everglades Chapter
Membership Enrollment and Renewal Form
Check One:
New Chapter Member/s:
____
Renewal ____
Name/s:_________________________________________________________
Circle one:
Family OR
Single
AMCA Member/s No.____________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________
City:_______________________________________________ Zip Code___________
Phone #1 (
)_______________________________
Phone #2 (
)_______________________________
E-Mail/s:______________________________________________________________
Facsimile:_____________________________________________________________
Check here_____if you would like to be considered for a leadership position as a director
of the Chapter. (For Family, please specify interested individual or both)___________
Motorcycles Owned/Preferred/Riding Experience/AMCA Background
(Optional information to allow us to get to know one another)
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
By signing below the applicant/s represents that he and/or she is a current member of the
national AMCA and agrees to abide by the Bylaws and rules and regulations of the
Everglades Chapter. Annual dues of $15 family/household or $10 per single applicant
enclosed. Please make check payable to AMCA Everglades Chapter.
Return this page with corresponding applicant dues to:
Clare Frost
642 N.E. 3 Street
Dania Beach, Florida 33004
Signature/s:_______________________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________________________
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