Born To Ride News

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A number of expertly restored motorcycles and original classics were on hand for the annual American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Ride ‘Em Don’t Hide ‘Em Bike Shows, Saturday, July 10, as part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

“Great weather, beautiful motorcycles and a diverse stable of entries made this one of our most memorable years,” said bike show organizer Katy Wood, operations manager of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “The motorcycles were stunning, and AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Grand Marshal Malcolm Smith was extremely gracious in his support. I want to personally thank all our judges and participants for supporting the Hall of Fame at this event.”

Although several bikes won awards, participants Jim and Joan Vandergriff of Linwood, Kan., were two stars of the event, with three of their motorcycles winning individual categories and two finishing as category runners-up in the Hall of Fame Bike Show (full results below).

Among the Vandergriff’s honors was the coveted Grand Marshal’s Choice Award for their 1939 AJS. In presenting the award, Grand Marshal Smith said the bike reminded him of his early racing years, when he had a ’49 Matchless. Matchless and AJS had a common owner but were produced under their own marques for many years.

“[The Matchless] was my first motorcycle after a Lambretta scooter, and I remember the thrill of it, and I remember that primary case, the magneto and the rigid frame,” Smith said. “I actually raced something like that in the desert with that seat and a rigid frame. I didn’t know any better. I thought that’s what you did. It’s just so meticulously done. I’m no expert on what’s original or not, but it’s the one that appealed to me the most.”

Both Joan and Jim said the motorcycle symbolizes, for them, a special era in motorcycling’s history.

“Especially these ’30s and ’40s bikes, they represent the golden age of motorcycles, and we just can’t live without them,” Joan said. “We just love this event. We’ve been coming for about five years. We support the AMA. We’ve been Life Members for years, and we support the Hall of Fame.”

Jim added: “When you get on it and ride it, you feel like a good, proper gentleman. The unique thing about the AJS, you’ll notice that it has two exhaust pipes, but only one piston. It’s called a dual port, and it’s got an incredibly unique sound.”

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is an annual three-day celebration of motorcycling’s past, present and future, with proceeds supporting the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.

Held July 9-11 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, this year’s event featured vintage motorcycle racing in numerous disciplines, demo rides of new motorcycles, seminars by motorcycling legends, North America’s largest swap meet and Husqvarna as Marque of the Year.

More information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days can be found at AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.

Hall of Fame Bike Show Results

Grand Marshal’s Choice

Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1939 AJS

Best of Show American

Gary E. McMahan’s 1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster

Best of Show British

Larry Barnes’ 1954 Velocette LE

Best of Show European

Peter Calles’s 1964 MV Agusta

Best of Show Japanese

Art Bensheimer’s 1970 Kawasaki H-1

American Motorcycle through 1939

1st Place – Peter, Beulah & Amie Knick’s 1915 Indian Board Tracker

2nd Place – Scott Picklesimer’s 1933 Indian Motoplane

American Motorcycle 1940-1949

1st Place – Larry Barnes’s 1949 Indian 249 “Super Scout”

2nd Place – Bill France’s 1948 Harley-Davidson EL

American Motorcycle 1950-1959

1st Place Marcie McManah’s 1956 Harley-Davidson 165

2nd Place Sam Arlia’s 1958 Harley-Davidson Panhead

American Motorcycle 1960-1969

1st Place – Tom Boron’s 1969 Harley-Davidson Sportster

2nd Place – Roy Poore, Jr.’s 1963 Allstate 125

American Motorcycle 1970-1979

2st Place – James Shea’s 1978 Harley-Davidson MX250

British Motorcycle through 1939

1st Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1939 AJS

British Motorcycle 1940-1949

1st Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1942 Triumph 3HW

2nd Place – Bob Lincoln’s 1946 Norton Model 18

British Motorcycle 1950-1959

1st Place – Steven M. Carter’s 1957 Ariel Square 4

2nd Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1957 Triumph TR6

British Motorcycle 1960-1969

1st Place – Keith Kleman’s 1968 Triumph Bonneville

2nd Place – Jim & Joan Vandergriff’s 1965 Velocette Thurxton

British Motorcycle 1970-1979

1st Place – Sergei Traycoff’s 1972 Norton Commando Interstate

2nd Place – Gregg Brown’s 1975 Norton Commando

British Motorcycle Specials & Customs

1st Place – Hunter Garrison’s 1969 Norton Fastback

2nd Place – Willy Saulsberry, Jr.’s 1968 Triumph Bonneville

European Motorcycle 1950-1959

1st Place – Peter Calles’s 1955 Moto Morini

2nd Place – Steve Hatfield’s 1955 Ducati 98 Sport

European Motorcycle 1960-1969

1st Place – John Walsh’s 1966 Ducati Scrambler

2nd Place – Bob Peters’ 1962 Ducati 125 Bronco

European Motorcycle 1970-1979

1st Place – Steve Morris’s 1974 Laverda SF2 750

2nd Place – Mick Milakovic’s 1978 Husqvarna 390-OR

European Specials & Customs

1st Place – Peter Knick’s 1976 Bultaco Astro

Japanese Motorcycle 1960-1969

1st Place – John Walsh’s 1963 Bridgestone Surfrider 7

2nd Place – Art Bensheimer’s 1962 Honda CBM72

Japanese Motorcycle 1970-1979

1st Place – Andrew Menter’s 1974 Hodaka Wombat

2nd Place – Jim Bright’s 1979 Honda CBX

Japanese Motorcycle 1980-1989

1st Place – Big Paul & Little Paul Deitz’s 1980 Yamaha YZ50

Japanese Motorcycle Specials & Customs

1st Place – Billy Aldrich’s 1962 Honda Replica GP Racer RC-163

2nd Place – Joe Nadock’s 1976 Kawasaki KZ900

Ride ‘Em Don’t Hide ‘Em Bike Show Results

Grand Marshal’s Choice

Larry McKeown’s 1970 Triumph T100C

Oldest Bike

Tom Beasley’s 1937 Velocette KSS

Hard Luck Award

Jack Fiero’s 1973 Ducati 750 GT (almost ran out of gas)

American Motorcycles

1st Place – Mark Schmalbach’s 1970 Harley-Davidson XR

British Motorcycles

1st Place – Donald W. Beadle’s 1939 BSA B21 Std.

2nd Place – Jerry Ficklin’s 1957 Norton International

European Motorcycles

1st Place – Bill Crookston’s 1976 BMW R90S

2nd Place – William Sisco’s 1973 Ducati 750 GT

Japanese Motorcycles

1st Place – Glenn Rumburg’s 1964 Suzuki T10

2nd Place – Todd Whited’s 1976 Hodaka Road Toad

Specials & Customs

1st Place – Billy Aldrich’s 1977 Honda CJ360

2nd Place – Paul Walsh’s 1975 Honda CB500T

About the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors the distinguished men and women whose vision, passion and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. Founded in 1990 by the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation and located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, the Hall of Fame immerses visitors in the excitement of the open road or trail, the thrill of racing, the allure of motorcycle design and technology, and the inspiration of memorable personalities. For more information, please visit MotorcycleMuseum.org.

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.