SoCal AMCA

Southern California Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America

The Southern California chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (SoCal AMCA) was formed in 1972.

Report from the Show: Born Free 2017

June 28, 2017  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Thanks to Steve Sorenson, SoCal AMCA Secretary, for this report from the 2017 Born-Free.Vintage Chopper and Classic Cycle Show, which takes place at Southern California’s majestic 17-acre Oak Canyon Ranch.  Every year, Born-Free brings together tens of thousands of eager spectators and participants as well as over 150 vendors and sponsors, live music, an AMCA regional swapmeet.

Report from Steve:

The SoCal booth at Born-Free IV featured my 1947 Indian Chief Chopper. Thanks to Walt Adams and his son John for keeping me company, and for bringing his Crocker-inspired sportster. SoCal AMCA member Hokan Martensson stopped by for a while as well. I talked to many people with great stories and handed out about a hundred of our business cards. 
Steve's 1947 Indian Chief Chopper

Steve's 1947 Indian Chief Chopper

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We Mourn the Passing of John Hoeinghaus

May 27, 2017  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Update: The funeral services for John Hoeinghaus, known by most as Hobo John, had been set for Tuesday, June 13 at 11:45 at Riverside National Cemetery (22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518).  

Hobo was a proud veteran and he has always supported the Riverside National Cemetery. He will be interned there with a ceremony at 12:00pm. Cemetery officials request that attendees be in place by 11:45. Hobo’s ashes will be placed in the wall in a military ceremony. All friends are invited to attend the service. 

The family has announced that they will hold a reception lunch gathering a few miles away afterward for those that want to attend. It will be at Romano Pizza which is about 5 miles away from the cemetery, 285 E Alessandro Blvd, Riverside, CA 92508-6037.

Photo Credit: Tom Lovejoy

Photo Credit: Tom Lovejoy

John Hoeinghaus - September 20, 1945 - May 23, 2017

It is our sad duty to report the passing of a long-time member of the SoCal Chapter. John Hoeinghaus, known by his nickname Hobo John, passed from this world on May 23, 2017, and is in now in scooter heaven. Hobo was 71 years old. 

SoCal AMCA is in touch with his family and we will assist with memorial announcements for them. Please send an email to socalamcanewsletter@yahoo.com if wish more information and notification of the pending memorial services, which are probably a few weeks out.

Hobo was a proud member of the US Navy and he was proud of all veterans. His request to be interned at Riverside National Cemetery is being processed.

Hobo’s quiet smile and silly humor will be missed by all that knew him.

Feel free to share memories and comments on this page and we will pass them onto Hobo John's family. Thank you. 

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2017 SoCal AMCA Winter Road Run happening now!

March 02, 2017  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

The antique motorcycles come rumbling in to the 2017 SoCal AMCA Winter Road Run, happening Thursday, March 2 to Sunday, March 5.  Photos from the weekend can be found here. 

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Photos from the 30th annual Max Bubeck Memorial Road Run!

October 10, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Happening Now...  Thanks to Tim Graber, Lon Bubeck and Gary Stark for taking photos.  Click on the large photo below to scroll through the shots.

 

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Southern California to Utah's Salt Flats to watch history in the making

September 28, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Below is a submission from Craig Dillmann, SoCal AMCA ride captain. Craig and Mike Menezes took a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah last month to support Bob Clift's attempt to break another speed record. 

By Craig Dillmann

On Friday, August 26  SoCal members-in-good-standing Mike Menezes and  Craig Dillmann  headed up to Utah on  their modern Harleys to support Bob Clifts attempt to break another record on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Upon our arrival, we were pleased to hook up with Ron Stevens  and Jim  Christian!! We hung out on the Salt Flats checking out all the cool race bikes. Sure enough, on Sunday August 28th Bob Clift broke another world record on his 1940 Indian Chief!!  Way to go Bob keeping the Indian name alive..93 miles per hour way to go Bob!  

Mike and Craig continued on an odyssey including on Americas loneliest highway, the 50. California Highway 1, the coast, and every back road in between. 

Included overnights in: Ely, Nevada; Wendover, Utah; Susanville, Ca;  Fortuna, Ca; Salinas, Ca, on as many backroads as possible. We logged 2,300 miles in 6 days!

 

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Treasurer's Report 2016

September 27, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Below is a report by Tom Hart, SoCal AMCA's Treasurer.  This usually appears in the fall newsletter, but since it's timely (announcement of restarting of the monthly Sunday brunch), we're getting it online sooner than later! 

Treasurer's Report 2016

Well folks another club year has come and gone. But enough about me. We had our annual meeting on Sunday, September 18th which was attended byJohnny Eagles, Steve Sorensen, Larry Ramos, Vanhan Bandoian, Tom Lovejoy, Hokan Martensson, Grace McKean, Gary Stark,  myself and the new guy Ken Netteberg from Huntington Beach. Welcome aboard Ken. Frank Colver and Walter Frey were suspiciously absent as were a few others.

“The new location for the monthly Sunday brunch will be Ruby’s Diner at the old town Orange train station. The meeting will be the first Sunday of every month (same location) at about 10AM. October the 2nd will be the first one.”

We agreed that there is a need to return to our yesteryear activity of a monthly Sunday brunch, meeting which was very popular and held at the Revere House in Tustin for many years. The new location for the monthly Sunday brunch will be Ruby's Diner at the old town Orange train station since the Revere House went belly up some time ago.

The restaurant/train station is conveniently located three and one half blocks west of Old Town Orange's traffic circle on Chapman Ave. AKA 186 N Atchison St, Orange, CA 92866, like in Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe. If you have trouble finding it, just sit on the tracks for awhile, otherwise exit the 55 freeway at Chapman and head west for about a mile and a half.

These meetings will hopefully include wives and girlfriends (not on the same day), offspring's and just about anyone else you care to bring, so arriving on four wheels is acceptable. But if you are so inclined, ride in and join us for an off-the-cuff ride after the meeting. Do like I used to do and let the misses bring the car and ride your old (or new) stuff.

Once again, the meeting will be the first Sunday of every month (same location) at about 10AM. October the 2nd will be the first one. We will not meet at Ruby's if we have another scheduled club ride on that day, so check the calendar. Not that it's important, but this place has a full bar and great Bloody Mary's.

Other things and stuff were discussed like spending some club money and going back to snail mail for members who cannot or will not use the internet. It would be helpful if you internet savvy guys would print out and hand deliver a copy of the calendar and/or newsletter to any member you are in regular or semi-regular contact with that may be challenged in this regard. I can say this because I am "challenged" in many aspects of everyday life including the internet.

There aren't many folks out there who need this kind of assistance to stay in touch, so it's not that big of a deal. I've already personally "adopted" one club member myself for this activity. So if he misses out on something, I only have myself to blame. I won't mention any names but his initials are Johnny Eagles (pictured below). To be fair, Johnny is one of our founding fathers, a past chapter president, National Board member, hit man for the CIA, life time member, go to guy for magnetos and many other repairs, former pilot and a really nice guy if you don't piss him off. I just hope that when I'm 200 someone thinks kindly of me too. Just joking Johnny, I'm referring to your combined years of personal knowledge on many matters, not your age and because you know where I live I need to be careful. I should probably stop taking now. All I know is that if Johnny or anyone like him says "I don't need no stinking internet," that's good enough for me.

At the 2016 Annual Meeting, Grace McKean, Johnny Eagles, and Tom and Jill Hart.

At the 2016 Annual Meeting, Grace McKean, Johnny Eagles, and Tom and Jill Hart.

A quick note here about Grace McKean (pictured above). She, The Grace, rode to the meeting from Running Springs on her whatabe Indian, by herself. That's about a 200 mile round trip ride to attend the meeting. Then she rode with a couple of us (Johnny, Gary and myself) to Laguna Beach for lunch before heading home. At the meeting Ms Lovejoy complained about the cold fog in the morning which hindered him from riding his bike the 30 miles to my house. I offered him my grandmother's shawl and white cotton gloves to keep him warn during the meeting, but he decided to tuff it out.

And finally for my report I'll just touch upon the local elections. VP Larry Ramos and former VP Tom Lovejoy waged a fierce campaign for the office of VP  this year. Heated words were exchanged, accusations of fraud, theft, lying and cheating, bad breath, bribery and carousing flew like hot poker chips on a loose roulette table. Then I realized they were talking about me and not each other's campaign promises, or office improprieties. Personally I was shocked that someone finally realized what I was doing with the club funds. Yet I remain in office. Why?

CHAPTER LEADERS (2016-2017)

President: Tim Graber

Vice President: Tom Lovejoy

Secretary: Steve Sorensen

Treasurer: Tom Hart

Steve Sorenson retained his position as secretary (of state) just like Hilary. If that doesn't scare you into getting out to vote next year on club elections, nothing will. When the dust settled, Tom Lovejoy was named the new VP  in what can only be described as a landslide victory. Larry graciously exited the office flipping Tom off as he left. I think he was congratulating him by saying, "Hey Tom...you're number one". Tim Graber's position as President was not contested. He was re-installed as the Prez for another term. Tim was otherwise engaged elsewhere and not able to attend so he offered his services (for a small fee) via proxy. I voted for a COLA increase for board members, but the board declined the measure. This will likely lead to yet another violation of Penal Code section 503 for me.

Almost forgot, the club will be sponsoring the Great Harley verses Indian Race in Utah next year. If you have not entered this event before, you are missing out on a really great scenic ride. Gary Stark does an excellent job putting this together. Tom Lovejoy and I entered the last race, before he became a girl, and had an absolute blast. Be sure to look for this ride's update and others in the newsletter.

Tom Hart

P.S. The following members are the only ones up to date on dues as of  2016. Cortesy (Steve you are paid through 2017), Ambrogio, Bandoian, Boyd, Coffin, Colver, Dillman, Ferguson, Frey, Golonka, Hatfield, Kingsbury, Leiss, Lovejoy, Martensson, McClennen, McKean, Mori, Musgrove, Jim Stanley, Stark and Watson. Everyone else is behind in dues. That means not paid through 2016. Some for many years. Please bring your dues up to date (click here for renewal form), not just for me and the kids, but for other reasons too...it's only $20.00 a year.  I'm only concerned about receiving 2016 dues and 2017 dues in January, just like a new start in life. You’ll feel good about it, I promise.

I thank you and my creditors thank you.

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Timeless American

September 27, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Hey Folks! Just in time for the Motorcycle Cannonball...take a gander at this beautiful book recently published by acclaimed photographer Eddie Lee. It highlights a selection of Pre-1916 motorcycles, primarily single, V-Twin and four-cylinder engines.

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SoCal AMCA members and friends are invited to the book launch at Deus in Venice on Saturday, Oct. 8. We encourage you to check it out!

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Motorcycle Cannonball Coming to California September 2016!

August 30, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Join SoCal AMCA on Saturday, Sept. 24th at the Twenty-nine Palms stop!

The national AMCA is a sponsor of this year's Motorcycle Cannonball, a cross-country run of pre-1917 motorcycle, from Sept. 8 to Sept. 25. The run begins in Atlantic City, NJ and ends Carlsbad, CA. AMCA will have a booth at every stop along the route and welcomes members to experience the sights and sounds of the "Ride of the Century" and to cheer on the riders. 

SoCal AMCA will be at the September 24 Twenty-nine Palms stop!  Let us know if you can join us!  Email us at socalamcanewsletter@yahoo.com or post your interest on our Facebook page! 

Here is a complete list of the daily stops:

September 8-9: Atlantic City, NJ (Official Start 9:30am on Sept. 10th)

September 10: Darlington, MD (lunch stop), York, PA (final stop)

September 11: Cumberland, MD (lunch stop), Morgantown, WV (final stop)

September 12: Williamstown, WV (lunch stop), Chillicothe, OH (final stop)

September 13: Mason, OH (lunch stop), Bloomington, IN (final stop)

September 14: Cape Girardeau, MO (final stop)

September 15: Springfield, MO (final stop)

September 16: Parsons, KS (lunch stop), Augusta, KS (dinner stop) Wichita, KS (final stop)

September 17: Dodge City, KS (final stop)

September 18: Dodge City, KS (rest day)

September 19: Pueblo, CO (final stop)

September 20: Alamosa, CO (lunch stop), Durango, CO (final stop)

September 21: Page, AZ (final stop)

September 22: Williams, AZ (final stop)

September 23: Kingman, AZ (lunch stop), Lake Havasu City, AZ (final stop)

September 24: Twenty-nine Palms, CA (lunch stop), Palm Desert, CA (final stop)

September 25: Temecula, CA (lunch stop), Carlsbad, CA (final stop)

Click on the following link for more information on the Motorcycle Cannonball.

 

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Sneak Peak: 30th Annual Max Bubeck Memorial Run...back at Furnace Creek Ranch Resort!

May 17, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Commemorating the 30th year of the Death Valley Max Bubeck Memorial Road Run, our two-day ride is once-again headquartered at the historic Furnace Creek Ranch Resort. Both days of riding will consist of a scenic loop through the natural wonders of Death Valley National Park. Flyer and registration will be up soon: http://www.socalamca.org/upcoming-ride-registration/

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2016 Borrego Springs Winter Road Run!

March 01, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

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Remembering Homer Knapp

February 19, 2016  /  Adriana Godoy Leiss

Homer Knapp passed away on December 18, 2015. He was a well-known motorcycle gearhead and will be missed by all in the community. Homer was a motorcross veteran who in 2010 raced in the Catalina Grand Prix on the same 1929 Harley JD Twin he rode at the Catalina GP half a century earlier. He founded his company Hollywood Motorcycle Machine in 1966, and according to a Dirt Bike Magazine interview, he did so on the belief that "old motorcycles, old cars, old books and old people should be approached with respect and understanding," Homer said. "Things can be learned from them all." 

Please share your stories and memories about Homer to help us compile a fuller obituary. Post them here or send them to us at socalamcanewsletter@yahoo.com. Thank you.

The above photo gallery of Homer is a collection of images from our archives and from those received from his friends across SoCal and beyond. Thank you all who contributed to this collection.

Update - February 16, 2016:

Homer Knapp Memorial Service

On Saturday, February 20, 2016, a service to celebrate the life of Homer Knapp will be held at Angeleno Valley Mortuary, located at 5423 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood, California, 91601.

Homer’s brother, Gregory Knapp, tells us that the hall will be open for attendees at 1 pm, and the service will be from 2 to 3 pm.  The service will include military honors and a few speakers. 

We will continue to offer this space, the "Remembering Homer Knapp” blog page,  for all to share memories about Homer.


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