trail gazette - april 2012

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April 2012

President Gene Walker5531 Lardon Rd NESalem, OR 97305-3248(503) 428-6641(503) 371-4363

La

Vice President Gary Kelley20000 NE Jaquith Rd

Newberg, OR 97132-6694(503) 537-0802(503) 860-6442

[email protected]

Sec

New

sha

Welcome Tony Kirk

On behalf of all the members, Id like to welcomeTony Kirk to the club. Tony lives in Medford

Oregon and is interested in antique motorcycles,cars and riding his66 HD FLH and 48 ULH

around southern Oregon.

Heres how Tony describes his reasons for joiningthe club. I want to find out about any nearby

runs, shows, and swap meets. Id also like tomeet good people with a common interest or

two. Sound familiar? Well Tony, I think youcame to the right place. We have several

members located around Medford and GrantsPass looking for the same things as you.

Welcome to the club Tony. Thank you for your

patience getting signed up. Were looking forwardto seeing you and your bikes at an upcoming

event.

Reader Contributions

Next up is a reader contribution. David Morrill,Confederate Chapter Member, read the board

track racing and rider profile articles in last

months Trail Gazette. By coincidence, David

recently wrote an article for the BirminghamHistory Centerentitled: Record-BreakerGeneWalker: Birmingham's Lost Racing Champion.

Rider Profile Eugene

By David L. Morrill Confeder

Birminghams

Cemetery is thplace of sever

legends, fromto Dixie Walke

legend buried

but unknown

During his car

made the spomajor newspapers, and his un

mourned by fans nationwide.

corner of the cemetery is a si

headstone that reads: Gene W

John Eugene Gene Walker g

motorcycle in 1910 and rode

the local Post Office. But in 19

State Fair sponsored a motorcBirmingham Fairgrounds Race

Gene who won the final race oStubbs, a local Indian Motorcy

note, soon putting Walker on

valve racer and racing him oudowntown Birmingham dealer

Big Bikes, No brakes


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Oregon Trail Chapter

April 2012

By the fall race of 1913, Gene had established areputation as the man to beat, winning everyrace he entered during the week long fall

program and setting a new lap record for the

track.

Birmingham Fairgrounds Raceway 1913/14 , O.V. Hunt

The following October, Walker entered his firstprofessional race, the F.A.M. (Federation of

American Motorcyclists) one hour race, at

Birmingham. While he didnt win, he was able toset a new lap record, and ran with the lead pack

throughout the race.

By 1915, Walker was hired as a factory rider for

the Indian Motorcycle Company and moved toSpringfield, Mass, the companys headquarters.

Walkers first National win came in 1915 at theF.A.M. National race in Saratoga, N. Y.

He would go on to win several professional races

and set several track records each year for the

following two years.

The next few years were quiet ones for Walker,

as professional racing was virtually curtailed forthe duration of World War 1. As his mothers solesupport, Walker was not subject to the draft. Hecontinued to race in local events around the

south and worked as a motorcycle machinist for

William F. Specht Jr. at his Harley Davidson

dealership on 3rd Avenue North. According to one

That record became the cente

Motorcycle Companys adverta 1920, Motorcycle and Bicycl

magazine declared Walker a

Champions.

Gene Walker Daytona Beach, Fl. 1920, Do

Despite that success, Indian r

1922 for his refusal to ride in

conditions at the sports bigge

Dodge City, Kansas. The comthat decision when he continuprivately owned Harley-David

rejoined Indian for the 1924 s

Championship race on the boa

Angeles, California.

On June 7, 1924, Gene was p

on the half mile dirt track at S

Pennsylvania. While taking pr

swerved to avoid a woman crcrashed. The severely injured

transported to Rosenkrans Ho

condition seemed to improve,

1924, Walker died of his injuryears old, and was survived b

and three young daughters. H

daughter was born seven mon

A few days after Genes deathSports writer Zipp Newman, e

hometown celebrity under the


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Oregon Tra

Indian Motorcycle Memorial Ad 1924, Don Emde Collection

During his 10-year professional career, Walkerwon 19 championship and numerous non-

championship races on both board and dirt

tracks. He set track records on many of the

tracks as well as several motorcycle land speedrecords. His lap record at the Birmingham

Fairgrounds Raceway was not broken when the

track stopped racing for World War 1.

In 1998, Gene Walker was inducted into theAmerican Motorcyclist Associations Hall of Fame.

About the author:

David L. Morrill of Sylacauga, AL. is a retired

Orlando Police Officer, former racer, motorcycle

racing enthusiast and Florida State Universitygraduate.

AMCA Presidents NewsletterBy Richard Spagnoli, AMCA President

I attended the AMCA Omaha Chapter National

Meet in Fremont, Nebraska, this past weekend.Chapter President Scott Swaney and his meet

committee did an excellent job of organizing the

I'm glad I did, because it gave

opportunity to talk with so maabout anything and everythin

sport of antique motorcyclingwere my chats with many of t

of the Club who attend this m

There are so many interestingmembers have to tell, going b

days of the Club. And if there

all the stories I heard from th

members, it had to do with th

over the years, interacting witand just talking about and rid

enthusiasm is infectious, and

of their age.

I mention this subject for a re

around the table at the Meet b

night, the AMCAs Assistant CDzurick, suggested that the Cthe history and stories that ou

have to offer, so that these ar

future. This would be similar t

recorded from members of th

who served in World Wars I athe Korean and Vietnam wars

project to the members atten

and I will recommend it to the

meeting in Daytona.

What the Club needs to get thare members who have the sk

digitized recordings and archiv

on the Club website or some omembers can access. This is a

you can help, please email the

Manager atAMCAoperations@

There were 35 motorcycles en

Judging at Fremont and manydisplay. Considering the size o

the turnout was excellent, and

that members continue to be

the AMCA Judging Program. Tthe process, and the satisfact

program was consistent with t
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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April 2012


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Oregon Tra

Presidents Newsletter (continued)

The Friday night banquet was full of traditional

Midwestern hospitality, with good food, plenty of"war stories" about old-bike experiences,entertainment by the Gilmore Brothers and just

plain friendship. Just what this Club is all about. I

enjoyed the opportunity to speak at the banquet

and to convey the Club theme for this year,which is to thank all of the volunteers who make

the Club function as it does.

I indicated some of things the Board has beendoing, including the possibility of increasing thenumber of National Road Runs and encouraging

those who haven't attended a Road Run to do so.

You probably know by now that I am partial to

Club sponsored Road Runs, and if your Chapter is

thinking about running one, I urge you to call oremail Rick Najera (415-469-8359 or

[email protected]) for information. The Board

approves Road Runs more than a year inadvance, so it is important to get your applicationin as soon as possible.

The Board and I are off to the Sunshine Chapter

National Meet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida,

March 9-11. If any of you are planning to attendthis meet, please stop and chat with any Board

member you see.

I plan to attend as many National Meets aspossible this year, plus at least two Road Runs.

After Florida, I will be off to the meet closest tomy home, the Perkiomen Chapter Meet in Oley,

Pennsylvania, where I got started in the AMCA.

Ride the old bikes as you always have and we all

will see you down the road.

Thanks again for listening.

Richard - [email protected]

March Meeting Minutes

Gene called the meeting to order at 2:06.

Attendees:

Ongoing emails with chapt

regarding AMCA policies.

WVM Chapter sent a Swap

their event in April

Ishi Chapter sent a Swap

their event in May

Business:

Were waiting for an AMCA bo

2013 bid for a national. The vNot too soon to think about a

Gene reviewed the roster andto members who haven't been

recently. Gene would like to s

member to get their input on

Gene led further discussion on

We agreed to establish select

evaluate member-submitted n

Selections would occur during

Meetings on an as needed basseveral examples of member

use as guides in determining

continue discussion of selectiomeetings.

Memorial nominations should

background information, their

club activities, length of mem

and at least two member testthe nominee's service to the c

Gene reviewed the Antique Mo

Special Interest license plate

collected from the DMV. Genemain DMV office in Salem has

display. Color matching is ma

viewing the originals when re

2012 Gold Rush Run:Gene asked if additional help

for this year's road run. Gary

volunteers. Contact Gary if yo

The current list:

Jim & Rosie Singhose - Ro
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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April 2012

April Business Meeting Agenda

The April Business Meeting is being held at the

Powerland Texaco Saturday, April 14, 2012.Topics well discuss:

Review of February meeting minutes

Treasurers report

2012 Road Run Committee Report

New Business

Our Business Meetings are where we discussissues important to Chapter operation. Yourthoughts are needed to make decisions for the

future. We hope to see you there.

Upcoming Events

Check out these upcoming antique and vintage

motorcycleevents.

Date Event

April 14 OTC Business Meeting, Brooks OR

April 28 WVMVintage Motorcycle Swap MeetMt Vernon WA.

April 29 ABATE of Oregon Spring Swap MeetPortland, OR

April 29 Classic & Vintage Show & SwapTsawwassen, BC

May 5 Quail Lodge Motorcycle GatherCarmel, CA

May 6 - 8 Los Angeles Chapter Road RunBuellton, CA

May 12 OTC Business Meeting, Brooks OR

May 19 Hanford Motorcycle Show & SwapKings Fairground, Hanford, CA

May 19 - 20 OVM Motorcycle Swap & ShowCorvallis, OR

Oregon Antique Vehicl

Listed below are the criteria u

vehicle qualifies for antique oplates in Oregon.

An Antique Vehicle older t

of years between the curre

(To determine the year mo

registration as an Antique 1900 from the current yeanumber by two. The vehic

model or older); orA vehicle with a year modold as dated from the curr

A vehicle sanctioned by an

organization as a vehicle o

The representative of the organization must complet

bottom; or

A vehicle manufactured prmanufactured to resemble

manufactured before 1949definition of Street Rod in

It is not a motorcycle or aor

A vehicle that meets the dactivity vehicle as defined

801.

To Apply

Fill outApplication for Title

Fill outAntique/Special Int

Declaration for Registratio

Submit completed applicat

Pay all applicable fees.

Fees

$77 title fee if submitting

title (changing ownership

$81 for permanent registr

$12 plate fee required if th

already have a plate (see
http://www.amcaotc.org/events.htmhttp://www.amcaotc.org/events.htmhttp://www.amcaotc.org/events.htmhttp://www.amcaotc.org/newsletters/WVM_flier_2012.pdfhttp://www.amcaotc.org/newsletters/WVM_flier_2012.pdfhttp://www.amcaotc.org/newsletters/WVM_flier_2012.pdfhttp://www.abateoforegon.net/default.htmlhttp://www.abateoforegon.net/default.htmlhttp://www.classicbikeswapmeet.com/http://www.classicbikeswapmeet.com/http://www.quaillodgeevents.com/http://www.quaillodgeevents.com/http://www.losangelesamca.org/National_Road_Run_Info.htmlhttp://www.losangelesamca.org/National_Road_Run_Info.htmlhttp://www.classiccycleevents.com/hanford.htmlhttp://www.classiccycleevents.com/hanford.htmlhttp://www.oregonvintage.org/http://www.oregonvintage.org/http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/226fill.pdfhttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/226fill.pdfhttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/6577.pdfhttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/6577.pdfhttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/6577.pdfhttp://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/fees/vehicle.shtml#OtherReghttp://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/fees/vehicle.shtml#OtherReghttp://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/fees/vehicle.shtml#OtherReghttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/6577.pdfhttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/6577.pdfhttp://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/226fill.pdfhttp://www.oregonvintage.org/http://www.classiccycleevents.com/hanford.htmlhttp://www.losangelesamca.org/National_Road_Run_Info.htmlhttp://www.quaillodgeevents.com/http://www.classicbikeswapmeet.com/http://www.abateoforegon.net/default.htmlhttp://www.amcaotc.org/newsletters/WVM_flier_2012.pdfhttp://www.amcaotc.org/events.htm


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Oregon Tra

If youre restoring an antique plate and cant

make it to the main office in Salem, theyve putimages of each years plate onlineHERE.

Oregon State License Plate Colors

Year Numerals Background

No year White Maroon

1911 Black Yellow

1912 Black Light Green

1913 Black Aluminum

1914 White Blue

1915 Black Yellow

1916 White Red

1917 White Green

1918 Black Light Blue

1919 Black Orange

1920 White Red

1921 White Green

1922 Black Yellow

1923 White Blue

1924 White Red

1925 Black Yellow

1926-27 White Black

1928 Black White

1929 White Black

19301 ----- -----

1931 Orange Black

1932 White Dark Blue

19332 Ivory Black

19333 Black Orange

1934 Black Gray

1935 Yellow Black

1936 Black Aluminum

1937 White Black

1938 Black Aluminum

1939 Black Light Yellow

1940 Blue White

1941 White Green

1942 White Blue

1943-454 White Blue

19465 Black Gray

1947 Bl k Al i

OTC Forum Classifieds

By Our Members

1951 FL, 3 speed and reverseVery nice outfit, runs great, frinterior of sidecar in nice shap

sidecar. Emailgene@rogueha

information and pictures or ca

2 Scouts for sale.

45-inch in a 741 frame. Ne

wiring and misc stuff to ge

Painted a beautiful, $1500

52-inch in a 741 frame. H

front forks and wheel, TT w

and Jr. Scout tanks.

Contact Ben Beberness,bbeb

Editors Note:

OTC Forum Classifieds are avamembers registered on the O

Advertisements posted on thehere when space is available.

ads from the forum as soon athe sale.

Deadline for articles, advertise

submissions to the Trail Gaze
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/BSS/history_center_dmv_license_plates_more_1.shtmlhttp://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/BSS/history_center_dmv_license_plates_more_1.shtmlhttp://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/BSS/history_center_dmv_license_plates_more_1.shtmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/BSS/history_center_dmv_license_plates_more_1.shtml


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OregonTrailChapter,AMCA20000NEJaquithRd

Newberg,OR97132-6694

trail gazette - april 2012

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