PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A featured attraction at the annual American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Vintage Motorcycle Days is the sprawling swap meet that perennially attracts more vintage motorcycle parts vendors than any other in the country. And with three weeks to go until the country’s biggest celebration of motorcycling’s history at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on July 9-11, this year’s swap meet is coming together as one of the best ever.
“The swap meet at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days covers 20 acres of the Mid-Ohio landscape, and as of mid-June 90 percent of the spaces were sold — with more selling every day,” said AMA Special Events Manager Tigra Tsujikawa. “There is no question that this will be one of the biggest AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days swap meets in history, and it will be one of the best opportunities to find that elusive part or project that you’ve been searching for — maybe even since last year’s event.”
Tsujikawa added that while the size of the swap meet is important, it’s only one way the popular attraction has been enhanced for 2010.
“Using lessons learned from 18 previous successful swap meets, we expect No. 19 to be the best yet,” Tsujikawa said. “We’ve listened to both our vendors and attendees and improved the flow and space for foot traffic through the swap meet by re-arranging existing spaces and adding new spaces around the area. For the vendors, we’re providing two entrances for a much quicker load-in and setup period on Thursday, July 8.”
Vendors can pre-register for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and still receive two free passes to the event through Friday, June 18. Vendors who miss the preregistration deadline can purchase space at the event, but they will first have to buy a weekend pass from the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for entry to the grounds. Vendors registering on-site will receive parking passes but not event entry. For registration information, see the “Vendors & Swap Meet” page at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.
Those in the market for non-current, gently used motorcycles will also be happy to hear the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral is returning for 2010. The corral, which will be located under an open-air tent in the infield, will include primarily individual-owned, for-sale, running motorcycles.
“The Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral, which is available at no-charge for attendees to display their machines, is our way to help organize the numerous used bikes that are ridden to — and often sold — at this event,” Tsujikawa said. “In addition to the motorcycles you’ll find for sale in the swap meet, we expect the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral will bring more buyers and sellers together.
“We welcome anyone with a running motorcycle to place it in the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral,” she continued. “The rules are simple. All motorcycles parked in the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral must be running, and contact and pricing information must be visible. We’ll help out by providing an info tag that you can hang on your handlebars. And, again, this is a free service to both buyers and sellers, thanks to the support of Federal Companies/Allied.”
For those who are in the market for a new bike, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will include demo rides of new bike models. There will be a lot of choices from a wide range of manufacturers. The current lineup of companies that will be on hand with their demo fleets includes KTM, Can-Am, Triumph, KTM, Kymco and Yamaha.
Held at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track. In addition to demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, educational seminars, bike shows, the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral, motorcycling seminars, the new product Manufacturers’ Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs. For 2010, Husqvarna is the event’s Marque of the Year, while off-road racing legend Malcolm Smith is serving as grand marshal.
Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The goal of the Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, is to honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame’s website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.
For tickets to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, see MidOhio.com. For more information about the event, visit AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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