How Many Rules Are Really Needed?

[Buzz Kanter]

Other than defining the three classes, how many rules are really needed?

Having been around classic motorcycles and the folks that are attracted to them I feel the fewer the number of rules the better. Not none, but as few as makes sense.

[Buzz Kanter]

(09-29-2009 07:58 PM)Buzz Kanter Wrote:  Other than defining the three classes, how many rules are really needed?

Having been around classic motorcycles and the folks that are attracted to them I feel the fewer the number of rules the better. Not none, but as few as makes sense.

I just read a thread on the AMCA forum by Lonnie questioning if we should be allowed to run newer transmissons in our Cannonball bikes. Several people chimed in with a loud "NO, NOTHING NEWER THAN 1915" for transmissions. I don't believe any of them are signed up for the ride.

I am planning on running a 1919 transmisson because that's what was on the bike when I bought it and I can't find a 1915 transmission to buy.

If this becomes a rule, I guess that means no one can run a newer frame (even repop ones?), newer brakes, modern clutches, cams, carbs or lights too?

Sure hope this gets ruled down and soon so none of us ends up wasting a lot of time and money building a machine that will not be allowed to run.

[indianman]

2 rules , have fun,be safe.Heck i have a repro gas tank. if you need a 1919 tranny to make a pre 1916 run , thats alot better than not being able to run at all ,because a rule about trannys. some of the bikes just have an original block and thats it !!!!! the less rules the more fun

[cory]

I honestly see where your coming from Buzz. You dished out some coin to buy a bike specifically for this run. You do have to remember though that Lonnie merely asked for opinions and that's all they are at this point. To be in the spirit of a pre-16 run, ideally the machines would be pre-16. Is this run going to be regimented or does everyone who enters get a bit of leeway? That's up to Lonnie in the end I guess. I'm thinking at this point he's in a no win situation. The question was thrown out there and if he allows later trannys then he'll hear about it and if he doesn't allow them he'll still hear about it. It's gotta be tough bein' at the top! Here's a link to the rules to refresh your memory... http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/rules.shtml your spirits will likely pick up when you read the section regarding transmissions...

[Buzz Kanter]

(01-12-2010 08:35 PM)cory Wrote:  I honestly see where your coming from Buzz. You dished out some coin to buy a bike specifically for this run. You do have to remember though that Lonnie merely asked for opinions and that's all they are at this point. To be in the spirit of a pre-16 run, ideally the machines would be pre-16. Is this run going to be regimented or does everyone who enters get a bit of leeway? That's up to Lonnie in the end I guess. I'm thinking at this point he's in a no win situation. The question was thrown out there and if he allows later trannys then he'll hear about it and if he doesn't allow them he'll still hear about it. It's gotta be tough bein' at the top! Here's a link to the rules to refresh your memory... http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/rules.shtml your spirits will likely pick up when you read the section regarding transmissions...

Yep, spent a lot of money already and made lots of commitments in print (American Iron Magazine) on line (here, http://www.caimag.com and elsewhere) and to people based on the rules and discussions with people including Lonnie. Sure would be upset to find out there will be new rules added that disqualify a lot of us. If the transmission comes under fire, what's next? Frankly I'd like some reassurances that I will be able to run this bike with a 1919 trans before I spend a whole lot more time and money on this just to be shut out. What happened to this being a fun ride for us all?

[Border MFG]

I dont think you would be "shut out" Buzz. You may not "win" the top prize or plastic trophy. But you will still have all the fun heart ache and memories that alot of us other "sideline" folks wont have. You win no matter what. You are going to ride a very old bike across this great land with other brave souls. What else could you want?

[Buzz Kanter]

(01-13-2010 08:06 AM)Border MFG Wrote:  I dont think you would be "shut out" Buzz. You may not "win" the top prize or plastic trophy. But you will still have all the fun heart ache and memories that alot of us other "sideline" folks wont have. You win no matter what. You are going to ride a very old bike across this great land with other brave souls. What else could you want?

No interest on winning as I don't see this as a race. My measure of success is finishing on the same old motorcycle I started on with as few miles as possible on the back of a truck on my way cross this great country of ours

[Iron Dinosaur]

Buzz, I'm not responding to piss you off or to make any waves but I think you are missing the whole point. It states at the top of every page on this website: "coast to coast on pre-1916 motorcycles" It's not a new rule, or something that just suddenly appeared, it is for pre 1916 motorcycles. I offered you a very nice, completely original 1915 Indian for a very reasonable price. (which you agreed to buy, then backed out for no reason) Then you went out and purchased a 1919 Harley with a 14 motor in it when you knew all along that it was wrong for this event. The difference between what you have and what the whole concept is all about is night and day. It's not our fault that you bought the wrong bike. By putting a 15 motor and tranny in your bike is not going to somehow magically transform your bike into a 1915. By the way, 1915 tranny's are available from Fred Lange. If 1919's are allowed then I can here it now, why can't I bring my VL, or Panhead, or my Road King? As far as your statement about "whats next" and "reproduction parts". These are not new rules drummed up to eliminate you. The whole original concept is pre 1916. As far as the reproduction parts go, they are just that, reproductions of originals which without them this run would not be possible. Dave Kafton >

(01-13-2010 08:42 AM)Buzz Kanter Wrote:  

(01-13-2010 08:06 AM)Border MFG Wrote:  I dont think you would be "shut out" Buzz. You may not "win" the top prize or plastic trophy. But you will still have all the fun heart ache and memories that alot of us other "sideline" folks wont have. You win no matter what. You are going to ride a very old bike across this great land with other brave souls. What else could you want?:D

No interest on winning as I don't see this as a race. My measure of success is finishing on the same old motorcycle I started on with as few miles as possible on the back of a truck on my way cross this great country of ours:thumb

[AlanTravis]

Buzz, You are a great voice and are very respected in the motorcycle industry . I saw your parts bike that you posted last week and I wondered at the time why you posted a picture of it on this site. I was thinking you must have bought it for some common parts that you might remove to help your race bike finish the event. I then saw what you posted this morning about wanting to use the 1919 parts bike for the Cannonball and were concerned about being able to use it ,knowing the bike and its parts are from a different vintage. I was not going to comment but this post was bothering me all day.

My comments are probably going to be stronger because I just returned from the annual Las Vegas Motorcycle auction. The Auction had 16 pre 1920 "lots" ,only 5 of them had been "motorcycles" prior to last year. For people wanting to see "real" ridden, ridable and historic bikes , this was not the place.

There will be people from all over the world coming to see "real" ridden and operated motorcycles on the "Cannonball". This event will be the first time in a hundred years that a collection of 1915 or earlier bikes can be seen being pedaled , pushed, and ridden. The lunch stops and evening stops
may have hundreds or even thousands of interested and excited onlookers.

In my opinion, All of us should strive to portray motorcyclist from 1915 and earlier. All our clothes should be as period correct as possible.

In my opinion, All our bikes should be correct for their years. All Harley transmissions for 1915 and earlier were pedal started . All afterwards were kick started. Yours needs to be pedaled to start. There may be those who use reproduction frames and forks in the event and I think these would be fine because they will appear correct and not detract from the authentic bikes being ridden.

PLEASE get a 1915 or earlier motorcycle. This will be your cheapest way to go and will be the most valuable after the ride. Whatever you pay for the 1915 or earlier bike you can recover after the ride as the value is sure to increase. You will be the proudest before, during the ride, at the stops, and after the ride by riding a bike that is within "the spirit of the event".

And lastly, since you are surely the most published of all of us . I would surely like to read all your articles about your trials and tribulations ,preparing a 1915 or earlier motorcycle for this event , instead of preparing an incorrect, 5 year newer "pile" . Please use your talents making this the BEST 1915 or earlier motorcycle event, that we may all be proud of.

The best reputation "tour" in the world has to be the "London to Brighton" rally. It has been run for over a hundred years and has followers worldwide. It has adhered to 1904 and earlier for 100 years and a "finisher" is a family treasured automobile.

Let us all do our part in keeping this event a 1915 or before motorcycle ride like Lonnie envisioned. It is not a "rule change", it is the event.

Thanks,,,Alan Travis

[Sean "Muncie" Brayton]

This is a Pre 1916 ride that's all. This is a chance to expose the public to motorcycles they have probably never seen. If we show them some mismatch pile how are we preserving history.