Custom Culture Class Added?

[panz4ever]

Reading on another forum that this will be added to the AMCA and available at Dixon? Just curious and looking for requirements and details.

[Britluv]

I received an AMCA press release on this yesterday. The AMCA intends to create a "chopper" class.
Kind of defeats the purpose and all of the avowed goals of the AMCA, doesn't it? When I joined it was understood that the AMCA exists to promote the preservation and restoration of ORIGINAL motorcycles, and to promote a "family-friendly" atmosphere at AMCA meets.
As the chopper is the ikon of the "outlaw biker," such bikes sometimes appear at AMCA meets but do not deserve formal recognition by creating a judging class especially for them.
How many valuable old bikes wre butchered by would-be "chopper' builders,
and how many have we rescued and restored after the butchers all but destroyed them?
Just my opinion, but it comes from personal experience.

[Chris Haynes]

How is a chopper judged for correctness? In most cases the engine and frame aren't the same year.

[indianut]

Yeah, I guess you are right. Custom Motorcycles aren't even really a part of American Motorcycle History and as such, should be disregarded.

[panz4ever]

I received an AMCA press release on this yesterday. The AMCA intends to create a "chopper" class.
Kind of defeats the purpose and all of the avowed goals of the AMCA, doesn't it? When I joined it was understood that the AMCA exists to promote the preservation and restoration of ORIGINAL motorcycles, and to promote a "family-friendly" atmosphere at AMCA meets.
As the chopper is the ikon of the "outlaw biker," such bikes sometimes appear at AMCA meets but do not deserve formal recognition by creating a judging class especially for them.
How many valuable old bikes wre butchered by would-be "chopper' builders,
and how many have we rescued and restored after the butchers all but destroyed them?
Just my opinion, but it comes from personal experience.

Ahhhhh, personal experience. Wow! Not even knowing I am so humbled. The 'outlaw biker' mentality is/was a myth created by the news/media/movie gods and perpetuated by certain motorcycle enthusiasts. But if you look at them today, without the adornments on their vests, their bikes are probably close to what other modern-days riders are on. Cannot recall the last time I saw certain m/c enthusiasts on anything close to a pan/knuckle (you name it) 'chopper'.

I cannot take your bullshit statement that implies choppers=outlaws=non-family friendly folks. Not all folks want an AMCA white-glove special to ride, although if it were up to you, you seemingly would expunge/expel any and all those not up to your family-friendly standards (quick ma, get my shotgun, hide the women and children cuz therz a couple of choppers headed this-away)

Been riding pans since I came home from hunting Charlie and the Little People at the end of '69. Still ride the **** out of the same 65 pan that is stock except for paint tires and the usual wear and tear. Not a pretty bike but a true daily rider.

Owned three chopped pans and currently working on a fourth. My choppers are a personal way of self-expression, of not following the normal paths of others. For most who do this it is nothing more than that...a form of personal expression. You obviously think otherwise and view "THEM" as evil, as something dirty, as something to be feared and something that cannot be spoken or you will turn to stone. Sorry, but the tale of Sodom and Gomorra is a story, nothing more.

Have a barn-find 49 pan that I am attempting to get to AMCA standards thanks to this site and a couple of others. This has been a 4+ year project with a lot of mistakes corrected thanks to the knowledge of others. With a bit of effort I may have it together by the end of the years. I truly appreciate the intent of the AMCA but cannot take the Tea-Bagger mentality that you offer up.

BTW...Retired after 37 years as an LEO and have a daughter that is very successful. I and others like me are "THEM"! Live with it.

[Chris Haynes]

Yeah, I guess you are right. Custom Motorcycles aren't even really a part of American Motorcycle History and as such, should be disregarded.

Despite your wise ass remark I stand firm. How do you judge a chopper using the clubs guide lines?

[MJW]

Here is my version of a 100 pt. chopper...Mike

[Matthew N. Olse]

Sorry for the confusion guys. This is simply a chapter recognition award. The bikes will not be judged on correctness. Thanks for your concern though.

[kval]

How is a chopper judged for correctness? In most cases the engine and frame aren't the same year.

Chris
see my post in "parking lot chatter" "new class??"

[Britluv]

"Panz4ever," thanks for your insights on this. Your term "bullshit" reflects your Harley heritage.
Just to get things straight, I have owned two '47 knuckles and a '52 and a '56 pan. I rode "outlaw" in the '60s but I got lucky: I'm still alive. Two of my riding buddies died in prison, where they were sent for murder. Several others died of drug or alcohol-related deaths. A few others died, or were crippled for life, when their backyard-engineered choppers got them into wrecks. I built and rode a chopper. Choppers are for looks only. They are unsafe, overrated, lousy handling junk.
"Choppers" are the ikons of the "outlaw" motorcycle cult. Deny that if you wish, make fun of me if you wish. But do not criticize me for reporting what I have seen with my own eyes.