Everyone give David N a big thank you, as he’s just shared his thoughts and photos from last weekend’s AMCA National in New Smyrna Beach for those of you that couldn’t make it out!
Greetings from the AMCA Sunshine Chapter National Meet at the Silver Sands Bridle Club next to the Cabbage Patch. I confess it’s been two years since my last report. A report from Eustis will follow.
This little number greeted me at the entrance. It’s a Kawasaki 2 stroke triple, perhaps an S3, mounted in a Ninja 250 frame, a nice tidy setup. Price was not marked.
A beautiful Indian 841 showing it’s longitudinal 90-degree V-twin and shaft drive. These were built for the US Army but never formally adopted.
Plenty of vendors in the swap meet area. The second and third fields are not in view.
This year’s AMCA meet ran Friday & Saturday after vendors set up on Thursday. I arrived Thursday because the deals are better – prices go up once the crowds arrive. The best times for bargains are Thursday and again on Saturday afternoon as vendors pack up and go home. But be warned, many vendors go home early, usually by 3:00pm.
The mid-twenties seemed to be the going rate for a nice Indian Chief. Here you had your choice of several:
This 1917 Indian Powerplus predates the Indian Scout and Chief. It was absolutely stunning but had no price. Perhaps priceless, methinks!
The show was packed with spectators on Friday that attendees were turned away from onsite parking. Were those attendees buyers? I’m not sure.
My hometown local boy, Ron Zuk, displayed his 1950 Triumph drag bike. Note the backwards cylinder head.
I found that prices were not marked, as least not on most motorcycles, which brings the old adage – “if you have to ask the price, you probably can’t afford it”. But the corollary is also true, “if the price is not listed – it’s probably too much”. I say, if it’s there to sell, put a price on it!
This I did not know! How about a bolt on kicker cover to add electric start to your kick-only early HD?
This 1927 HD JD was restored in 1971 and it’s been with the same owner for the last 50 years. It went home with yours truly, my first pre-war bike. The front brake was added because they were not available until ’29.
I never saw a springer fork set up like this – having baby springs mounted low. Someone needs this!
This Knuckle was a drive-in spectator bike but it got just as much attention as any show bike!
I have to get me one of these signs – and perhaps a few heads too!
The mid-twenties wasn’t just the going rate for an Indian Chief, it seemed to be the price for any good American antique motorcycle.
This HD Topper scooter and matching sidecar was whooping $12,000.
But you could have bought this second Topper without the sidecar for a more reasonable $3,800.
This CZ motocrosser changed hands. It’s a big-bore mounted in a 250 frame, said to run and drive. The seller was asking $1,500.
Not everything was motorcycle related. How about a pair of signal cannons?
All in all, the show was less modern or perhaps, offered less variety than past shows. Prices, when marked, seemed more reasonable but I did not see much change hands whether it was bikes or parts. Some say the “sport” is dying, but I’m not buying that either. No pun intended! I can’t wait for the next show!