AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER - vikingmc.org
Transcript of AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER - vikingmc.org
1
AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
OFFICERS
December 2014
PRESIDENT: Ron Spargo 952-443-2020 [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT: Kerry Rasmussen 651-430-1332 [email protected]
http://www.vikingmc.org
DIRECTORS: Mark Jilk 651-207-2190 [email protected]
Bob Hopf 612-867-5654 [email protected]
Timothy O’Keeffe 651-675-6560 [email protected]
Craig Kotval 651-269-1975 [email protected]
TREASURER: Roy Williams 612-377-6146 [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP: Kathi Rimnac 612-825-2550 [email protected]
CLUB HISTORIAN: Tom Jones 763-533-9163
DEPUTY JUDGE: Jerry Richards 651-482-0096 [email protected]
WEB/EMAIL: Doug Nelson 612-559-9595 [email protected]
NEWSLETTER: Tim Gadban 651-235-5898 [email protected]
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Upcoming Club Events ………... 2
President’s Message, Editor’s
Note & Memorials .…………….. 3
2014 Davenport Run …..…...….. 4
Wings & Wheels …….……..….. 5
Fall Swap Meet ……..………….. 6
Mystery Ride & Want Ads……... 7
Extended Version (EV) with extra
features, photos, projects & sto-
ries ............................................ 9-25
Keith Kizer has been appointed as AMCA
Executive Director. Kizer, who formerly ran
the AMA Prostar Drag Racing Series and
served as the Senior Director for AMA Pro
Racing, will oversee the AMCA’s various
strategic projects, events, programs and daily
operations. Kizer will work from his office in
Huntsville, Alabama, and report to the
AMCA’s Board of Directors.
SECRETARY: Diane Nelson 612-965-1415 [email protected]
Congrats to all new and re-elected Board Members!!
“Keith has a long history of developing and growing membership-based organizations,
from his co-founding of the AMA Prostar Drag Racing Series to reviving the road-racing
side of AMA Pro Racing from 2006 to 2008 prior to its sale,” said Richard Spagnolli,
AMCA President. “His experience and management expertise are sure to help the AMCA
continue the culture and tradition of serving the antique motorcycle community as it has
for the last 60 years.”
DON’T FORGET - IT’S TIME
TO RENEW MEMBERSHIP,
BOTH WITH AMCA NA-
TIONAL AND THE VIKING
CHAPTER. BEST BANG
FOR THE BUCK EVER!!
2
Note: Board of Directors (B.O.D) meetings are open to all members. When held at a chapter member’s home, please notify the
host ahead of time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday December 10, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting Mid-America Auctions
2755 Long Lake Road, Roseville, MN 55108
651-633-9655
Saturday Jan 10, 4:30 – 9pm
Viking Chapter Holiday Party!! Roseville Ice Arena
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113
651-792-7000
!! IT’S A POTLUCK !!
$$ SILENT AUCTION $$
## GENERAL MEETING ##
** ANNUAL AWARDS **
++ MEET THE 2015 BOARD ++
- - 50/50 RAFFLE - -
Bring some grub to share based on suggestions below. The
club will provide snacks, appetizers and beverages.
A-G ……………………………...… entrees & main dishes
Berquist ……………………………………… deviled eggs
H-L …………………...… side dishes, salads, beans & fruit
M-P…………………………. rolls, bread, butter & relishes
Q-Z ……………………………….…... desserts & cookies
For the Silent Auction bring a desirable item in good condi-
tion— artwork, books, posters, etc. (no swapmeet stuff - it
doesn’t have to be a motorcycle related item). This auction
benefits our club and also supplements our Charity Fund.
So get off your kiester and donate that old knick-knack to a
good cause! Bring your stuff to be bagged and tagged.
Wednesday Jan 7, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting, Doug Nelson’s Home
9715 Mill Creek Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
612-559-9595
Tuesday Jan 13, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg. Dulono’s Pizza
607 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-827-1726
Friday Feb 6 thru Sunday Feb 8
International Motorcycle Show (IMS) Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN
612-335-6000
Wednesday Feb 11, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting Ron Spargo’s Home
8399 Bavaria Road, Victoria, MN 55286
952-443-2020
Wednesday Feb 18, 7pm
February General Meeting St Paul Indian
2967 Hudson Road, St Paul, MN 55128
651-765-9988
Tuesday Feb 24, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg. Dulono’s Pizza
607 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-827-1726
Wednesday Mar 11, 7pm
B. O. D. Meeting Davanni’s, 663 Winnetka Ave North,
Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-398-0303
Wednesday Mar 18, 7pm
March General Meeting Jack Crane Museum
1301 East Cliif Road, Burnsville, MN 55337
952-927-8126
Tuesday Mar 24, 7:30pm
National Meet Planning Committee Mtg. Dulono’s Pizza
607 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-827-1726
Saturday Mar 28 thru Sunday Mar 29
DennisKirk/Donnie Smith Bike & Car Show River Center
Kellogg Blvd & 7th Street, St Paul, MN 55102
651-265-4800
3
SPARKY’S PLUG
EDITOR’S NOTE
I have to say that this fall was one of the most beautiful and protracted ones I can remember in this part of the world. My brother
Simon and I did a road trip to Bayfield and Madeline Island and though our trip got extended by a day because of a horrendous (and
awesome) Lake Superior storm, the riding in general was spectacular. So I’ll try not to grouse about the snow and cold (or upset my
wife by checking out used Urals) as this is part of what we Minnesotans must accept on our yearly cycle. Which begs the question
…. do we appreciate riding all the more because of our seasons?!?
This issue features a couple of projects by our members and finally sees our free want ad section being put to good use. Once again
there is just too much stuff to fit into eight pages of a hard copy, so I am glad to announce that this will be the final version of Re-
Cycle that has a hard copy format and a digital one …. the March issue will be all digital and sent via email only. This will also be
the last year for hard copy membership forms … for 2016 they will all be sent via email. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!
Wait a minute. Wasn’t it just a couple of weeks ago that we were all eagerly awaiting spring and the start of a new riding season? I
know I did some riding this summer (not near enough) but now the snow is back and the season is really over – bummer! However,
the few road trips I did get in were excellent. While I didn’t make it all the way to Sturgis I did ride with the club to Wessington
Springs, SD where the club has been enjoying their hospitality for 40 years. Early in the summer a tornado destroyed a large part of
the town but lucky for us not the municipal campground. We took this opportunity to present a check to the City of Wessington
Springs emergency fund to help with the recovery in some small way. When a call to the city revealed that there was no damage to
the campground and the only thing that needed to be done was to clean the pool a comment was made by Tom Jones that “they usu-
ally need to clean the pool after we leave anyway!” Our second annual Money Creek camp out, ride and picnic was a big success in
spite of a little “damp” weather – ok, it rained like Hell! But most of us managed to stay dry and Doug Nelson was the head chef for
a meal not to be soon forgotten. Put this event on your short list for next season. You will have fun!
The Viking Chapter will once again have a presence at the International Motorcycle Show on February 6-8 at the Minneapolis Con-
vention Center. I have recruited some help with this show as it has gotten way too big for one person to set up and coordinate. The
“theme” for our display this year will be “We Ride” and will feature our everyday riders as well as a few unusual bikes that we don’t
get to see very often. If you would like to show your bike and it has not been shown in a while please send an e-mail to me Ron
Spargo at, [email protected] or call me at 952-443-2020 with specific information on your bike. Since we only have
space for 14 or 15 bikes the show committee will chose the bikes that best represent our club. Even if your bike is not chosen for
this show there will be other opportunities throughout the year to show off your baby. We want everyone to have an opportunity to
shine. If you can help man the display area during the show let me know. We can use all the help we can get and volunteers (and a
guest) get into the show for free.
There is a lot going on in the club and the best way to really keep up to date is to attend the monthly meetings. I know the weather
right now doesn’t lend itself to riding but come anyway. You will see folks you may not have seen for a while and probably a few
new faces too. It’s your club and only you can help make it as successful and fun as possible.
Don’t forget the Holiday Party in January. I understand there is going to be some really cool stuff in the silent auction as well as
great food and fun for all. I’ll look for you there!
Ron
PS - Got some ideas on how to make the club better? Let me know. I also want to hear your gripes, assuming you have any.
By Ron Spargo
IN MEMORIAM
We are sad to announce the passing of two Viking Chapter members, while at the same time we celebrate their lives and feel privi-
leged to have known them and enjoyed their company. Full memorials can be found on Page 9 of this issue.
ALLEN C. BOWER
1959 - 2014
MICHAEL E. GAVIN
1926 - 2014
4
CLUB NEWS
Left the house at 5am in the rain … remnants of an overnight storm. Met
up at the Freedom station in Prescott where Tom Jones led the crew out
just after 6am. It was grey and damp and a little on the cool side but as
the light of day came on the hills were bathed in clouds and mist ….
similar to one of those old Japanese paintings. After stopping for break-
fast the rain gear came off and the clouds evaporated giving us a perfect
day for the rest of the ride down.
The meet was in full swing but Friday (daytime) was the only break in a
bunch of rain. We got our tents up by dark and trotted over to the Rusty
Nail for beer & snacks. Cal Spooner rode down on Saturday to join us.
At the swap meet Most of the Harley & Indian stuff was overpriced but
there were some deals to be had. Ron Spargo, Gary Kloss and Dave
Radamacher drove down on Wednesday to set up as vendors.
The collection of vintage machines brought in for judging was far superior to last year’s display . (See page 12 for more photos)
After crossing the Mississippi on the Cassville ferry one of the highlights on our trip home is our Sunday stop at the Catholic Church
in Buena Vista for their annual polka chicken dinner and fundraiser picnic. It really is a slice of Americana that is hard to beat ….
which also has an intriguing history that includes the priest being arrested for “illegal” gambling in the 70’s by an over zealous state
lawman. (See pages 21-24 for the full story, a fascinating David & Goliath tale that brought about legalized gambling in Iowa.)
Waiting for the Cassville Ferry
DAVENPORT RUN – 29th August 2014
Rides & Riders:
Cal Spooner, 1973 BMW R60/5; Mark Jilk, 1981 Honda
CB750; Tom Jones, 1988 HD Sportster; Jim Petsch,
2002 Suzuki SV650; Keith Braun, 2003 HD Ultra Clas-
sic; Tim Gadban, 2007 Yamaha FJR1300
5
CLUB NEWS
We met up at Kerry Rasmussen’s place and off we went …. winding our way through lovely Wisconsin backroads to the Osceola
airport. After parking our machines we headed for a large building and stuffed ourselves with delicious pancakes and ham. We then
dispersed to take in the sights. The air show was great with stunt planes and demonstrations while the display of cars was one of the
most eclectic I have seen. Polaris/Indian had a display
which included their new Indian Scout, a model that is
creating a real stir in the bike market this year.
Ride to Wings and Wheels, Sept 6, 2014
After the Chaska BBQ this is probably our most important general
meeting of the year, when we vote for nominated officers and es-
tablish board members for the 2015 calendar year. Our gracious
host, Chris Hayne, provided pizza and refreshments for us and
held a surprise drawing for prizes after the meeting. Chris took the
photo featured here which captures a great moment for our group.
Rides & Riders:
Paul St. John, 1942 Harley 45; Kerry Rasmussen, 1946
Indian Chief; Ivar Natins, 1946 Indian Chief; Keith Pe-
ters, 1951 Indian Chief; Gary Kloss, 1970 Moto Guzzi;
Stan Mewhorter, 1971 Triumph TR6R; Craig Kotval,
1974 BMW R90/6; Rick Schunk, 1975 Honda 400;
Tim Gadban, 1978 Honda GL1000; Mark Jilk, 1981
Honda CB750; Simon Gadban, 1983 Honda CB1000;
Rick Tyson, 1987 BMW K75; Bob Hopf, 1998 Harley;
Michael Warner, 2007 Moto Guzzi Breva; Ted & Judy
Drake, 2009 Stratoliner.
Meeting at Fury Motors, Sept 17, 2014
Rides & Riders: Ivar Natins, 1946 Indian Chief; Kerry Rasmus-
sen, 1946 Indian Chief; Dave Rademacher, 1947 Indian Chief;
Keith Peters, 1951 Vincent Rapide; Joe Anania, 1956 BSA Gold-
star; Sean O'Neil, 1967 HD Sporster; Gary Kloss, 1970 Moto
Guzzi; Stan Mewhorter, 1970 Triumph T100C; Craig Kotval,
1974 BMW R90/6; Tim Gadban, 1975 BMW R90/6; Bob Hopf ,
1976 Honda 750SS; Mark Jilk, 1981 Honda CB750; Paul
St.John, 1990 HD Classic; Ron Spargo, 2000 Moto Guzzi; Doug
Nelson, 2008 Honda Gold Wing; Jim Geisler, 2008 Suyali 650;
Allen Bower, 2013 Triumph Trophy SE
6
CLUB NEWS Fall Swap Meet, Sept 14, 2014 by Tom Whittles
Mother Nature hasn’t been very kind to us, So when she gave us the most beautiful day that
you could imagine- of course I had to check the calendar- Sunday Sept 14th. The sun was
shining, we enjoyed a light breaze…Ya Baby!
I am always apprehensive before an event. One of my biggest fears is that the outhouses didn’t
show up so I went out to the north parking area Thursday evening with a sign “Outhouses
Here” . When I got close I could see that the outhouses were already in place! Check that off
the list. Next item… will any volunteers show up? (at 5:00 in the morning?) Enter a small
group of club regulars… eight of us can run a swap meet!
At 5 min. to 6:00 we left Perkins and headed to the Fairgrounds. The parking lot lights were
on, a maintenance person from the fair was unlocking the gate and there were 15 trucks in line
to get in…Ya Baby! By first light we were up and running. The coffee pots were perking (we
eventually made 7 party pots of coffee at $1.00 a cup) Club regular Bob Hopf bought 8 dozen
doughnuts- which were sold out by 10:00- profits from the doughnut sales were donated to the
club. The Swap Meet field was filling up - cars and trucks were always coming in.
And the motorcycle crowd showed up - Mike Crane arrived on his Indian Chief. Not a drip of
oil, a nice “correct” bike. This must be where the Indians are parking - Dave Radamacher
stopped in on his restored Chief with electric start! Paul Joswick adds some class to the group
on his ’68 Shovel Head.
At this point it becomes a social event. Some of this crowd won’t be seen again until the
Donnie Smith show or even our June event. The Rocket Man was vending with his son. It was good to see Doug Rykel out and
about. Our friends from Wizard custom paint (near St. Croix Falls) always have a booth at our June event. This year they were a no-
show. Bruce is having some health issues. You can imagine my surprise when he and his wife stopped by the swapmeet tent to visit!
He says “Chemo-cocktails” seem to be doing the trick. Thinkin’ of you man…
Former headman at St.Paul Harley- Bob Crawford stopped by. His wife had back surgery recently - no motorcycling for a while.
Bob had sold a collection of Sprints (all with race history) to a museum on the east coast a year ago. At the end of summer he flew to
the coast just to check on them (imagine Bob sitting on a Sprint, twisting the throttle and making motorcycle sounds…) And speak-
ing of St. Paul H-D, old friend George Edwards stopped by to say hello and so did “Parts Man” Paul. Mike Wilmont from the Farm-
ington area was scouting for anything that looked good…
By noon, the crowd was beginning to get thin and by 2:00 it was a ghost town. We even had a guy come all the way up from Sioux
Falls. He said that he would come back next year-Wow!
We have gotten so many compliments on how nice of an event this is. Thanks to all the club volunteers and thanks to any and all
who were vending! That’s what makes a good Swap Meet. (More pics on Page 13)
7
CLUB NEWS
The Fall Mystery Ride, hosted by Rick Wyatt was held on Sat-
urday Oct 4th. The night before the weatherman had warned of
possible overnight snow and rain. The next morning after hit-
ting the alarm snooze button more than once, I cautiously got
out of bed, poured a cup of strong coffee and apprehensively
pulled up the kitchen window blinds. No snow! My spirits
were lifted. The temp was in the reasonably cold range but the
ride was thoughtfully scheduled to start at 11 AM. The sun
was shining and since there was no ride cancellation notice in
my E-mail I figured the ride was on.
After installing my seldom used Jacket liner, finding my poly-
propylene long johns and a pair of warmer gloves, I started my
customary pre ride checks on my only currently running motor-
cycle ... a far too new bike that has 21 years to go before it qualifies as a proper motorcycle in the AMCA. As I finished with my
checks I looked over at the 72 triumph Daytona strapped to the homemade bench in my garage. Hopefully it will make it to a few
rides next summer.
After a quick stop for gas, I arrived at Rick’s home in Mounds View. Several hearty souls were already there enjoying coffee, cider
and donuts thoughtfully provided by Rick. After some interesting conversations Rick decided it was time to saddle up. The bikes
were lined up in the usual formation in the street and one by one each bike was started with its unique exhaust note rumbling in the
late morning air. As each rider pulled out, we settled into the customary staggered formation. Remember, don’t ask Rick where we
are going, That’s why it’s called the Fall Mystery Ride.
Back roads are always the choice on club rides as the ride is more important than the destination. As we trustingly followed Rick
north east out of town, we wound our way on the back roads until we noticed Rick signaling us to pull into what appeared to be a
classic car gathering and barbecue. After enjoying grilled pork loin, chili and many side dishes, we thanked our hosts and headed
north once again. After a few more twisty rural roads, we found ourselves on highway 61 heading into Forest Lake. We exited onto
North Shore Drive and began a relaxing ride around the Lake. Someone had suggested that we stop for coffee and pie so Rick sig-
naled us into the parking lot of the Old Log Inn. It turns out it was not a pie day but they did have cheesecake, strawberry shortcake,
bread pudding and carrot cake. I was informed by several fellow riders that proper carrot cake does not have raisins. I was relieved
when the waitress informed us that their carrot cake did not have raisins. I decided on the bread pudding with caramel sauce and
whipped cream. After desert and several cups of coffee we headed back to Mounds View. One by one each rider gave a good by
salute as their exit approached. Finally it was just Rick and myself. Safely back at Ricks home, I thanked him for another enjoyable
Fall Mystery Ride. I had one more thing to do, ask Rick for some advice on getting that old 72 Triumph back on the road. He will
be over this winter. (More pics on Page 13)
Fall Mystery Ride, Oct 4, 2014 by Dave Glennen
Rides & Riders: Kerry Rasmussen, 1946 Indian Chief (Sunday);
Dave Rademacher, 1947 Indian Chief; Stan Mewhorter, 1971 Tri-
umph TR6R; Nick Huber, 1972 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport; Michael
Warner, 1982 Yamaha 650 Maxim; Rick Wyatt, 2000 Kawasaki W
-650; David Glennen, 2000 Yamaha V-Star; Gabe Weiker, 2007
Triumph Bonneville; Judy & Ted Drake, 2009 Yamaha Stratoliner
FOR SALE – Original condition 1968 Electraglide FLH with 22,981
actual miles, I am the second owner and have all original sales re-
ceipts from first owner who purchased it at Egeberg’s Motorcycle
Dealership. This bike was awarded a Junior First when shown at Vi-
king National Meet. It was a feature bike in the movie “Antique Mo-
torcycle Ride to Sturgis.” Asking $14,000. Paul 952-836-5899. Email
me for photos [email protected].
FOR SALE - 1970 Bultaco Lobito 125 with a Alpina 250
motor, motor partially apart. $200, Craig 763-434-8119
FOR SALE - 1974 Yamaha TY80A trials bike, motor
apart. $150, Craig 763-434-8119
FOR SALE - 1969 Bultaco Matador 250, complete, does
not run. $700, Craig 763-434-8119
WANTED – B.S.A Bantam. Any year, condition or engine size considered.
Please call or e-mail Ron Spargo at 952-443-2020. [email protected].
Always looking for B.S.A M20 and M21 parts as well.
8
Viking Chapter AMCA Inc. P.O. Box 18304, Minneapolis, MN 55418
DECEMBER 2014
WANTED: HRD/Vincent project bike, basket case, pile of parts or a single part, sheet metal, tools, books, etc. Please contact me about the items you have. Thanks, Tim. Email [email protected] or call 651-675-6560, 9am - 9pm MN
9
RON & CHRIS SPARGO AT THE BARBER CLASSIC
Allen C. Bower Aug. 1959 - Sept. 2014
Resident of Hugo, Minnesota
Formerly of North Vancouver,
British Columbia.
Passed away suddenly Satur-
day, September 27th. Survived
by his loving wife of 24 years,
Barbara; sons, Nick and Kris;
and brothers, Brian (Clarice)
and Steve. He embraced life
and enjoyed riding his motorcy-
cles, fishing, playing the bass
guitar, hockey, and the many
friends he encountered through
his hobbies. Al’s favorite bike,
his 1970 Triumph Bonneville
650, was a daily rider.
Resident of Roseville, Minnesota. Attended Washington High School and VoTech in St. Paul. After World War II, Mike was sent
to Japan as a military policeman with the U.S. Army. He worked for Pittelkow Sheet Metal for most of his career. He was a proud
member of Sheet Metal Local #10 for over sixty years. He is survived by his wife Kay, son, daughter, two step sons and other rela-
tives. A Celebration of Life was held on June 9, 2014 at Sheet Metal Local #10 with burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Mike joined the Viking Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America in March 1995. Mike and Kay Gavin volunteered at the
Viking National Meet, attended the Christmas Party and Chicken Bar-B-Q in Chaska, Minnesota. Mike was a life member of Harley
Owners Group.
Mike’s bike was a Harley-Davidson 1946 WL with a 1942 WLA engine originally purchased from a Viking Club member. With
help from Viking friends, he located the correct 1946 WL cases at the Davenport Meet and eventually made the bike correct and had
this bike for many years. He called the 1946 WL his Little Bike as he had a Harley Electra Glide Classic, which he called his Big
Bike.
CLUB NEWS
Michael E. Gavin Oct. 1926 - May 2014
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
10
108 riders from 12 countries entered this year’s race, which covered
a grueling 4,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Daytona Beach
Florida to Tacoma Washington Puget Sound Area at the Pacific
Ocean. Many riders dipped their back tire at the starting line and
dipped their front tire at the finish line. All motorcycles were older
than 1937, so the newest models racing were 78 years old. Many
machines are approaching 100 years old. David Lloyd’s #54 ma-
chine is a 1919 HD twin and I believe his machine is only the 6th
oldest. A true test of man and machine to find, rebuild, tune and
keep these venerable old mounts of the past with tired steel and al-
loy, reliable enough to ride approximately 300 miles per day for
three weeks straight in every conceivable road and weather condi-
tions. The race started on September 5th and ran for 17 days and
3,938 miles. - Steve Klein (President, Cherokee Chapter)
CLUB NEWS
CANNONBALL RUN 2014
Start at Daytona Beach
My Cannonball Run by Jerry Wieland
The night before we left Wisconsin I took the bike out for what I thought was going to
be my final shakedown run only to have the engine momentarily seize. It immediately
broke loose and I thought maybe I had not hurt it so we packed it up and headed to
Daytona, Florida. However 3 days of traveling in a U-Haul gave me much time to think
about it and what I had planned for it which was a 4000 mile cross country trip carry-
ing my wife and I and our gear. By the time I got to Florida I came to the realization
that it needed to come apart and be looked at. It was a good thing we did as the front
piston was severely scored.
Jerry & Debi with their 1925 HD JD
On day 10 on the way down from
Loveland Pass the bike started miss-
ing and it broke both valve springs
on the front cylinder. I can not ex-
plain why. On day 15 my reproduc-
tion primary cover shed its stiffen-
ing bracket and sent it through the
primary chain. Both problems were
easily fixed once we got to the mo-
tels but in the meantime I was on the
trailer.
Emergency Surgery
Loveland Pass
Salt Flats
11
CLUB NEWS
My Cannonball Run by Jerry Wieland (cont.)
Near the Finish Line at Puget Sound Washington we had
2 breakdowns which put us out of action for the rest of
that particular day.
Debi and I were the only couple to complete the Run
and 1 of 6 bikes out of 101 that went without any sup-
port crew.
Mt Rainier
Debi & Jerry at the Finish Line
12
MORE PICS FROM DAVENPORT
13
MORE PICS FROM THE FALL SWAP MEET
MORE PICS FROM THE FALL MYSTERY RIDE
14
PROJECTS
When I last reported on this project last September I had just picked up
the bike and had managed to get it started. When one of the spark plugs
blew out of the head as soon as the engine started I decided a full re-
build / restoration was in order. Over the winter the bike was dismantled
and all parts cataloged. The frame was blasted and powder coated, forks
rebuilt, wheels re-spoked and trued, new tires and tubes fitted and the
engine and gearbox was rebuilt. Many other small details were tended to
as well. Most real work came to a halt when spring arrived and a new
riding season was upon us. The project is now a roller and the next task is
to fit the electronic
ignition system and
voltage regulator
along with a rewire.
So much done and so
much left to do – but that’s what winter and a warm shop are for. I had a lot of
help getting this far from Marty at GoMoto, Jeff at Red Line Cycle and Rick
Wyatt at RW Machine. Thanks guys, you’re the best. And just in case a miracle
happens and I get the Thunderbolt done this winter another B.S.A (1958 M21
600cc single) is waiting in the wings and should prove to be more of a project
than the Thunderbolt.
1966 BSA THUNDERBOLT by Ron Spargo
1947 INDIAN CHIEF by Dave “Ride em” Rademacher
Well my 1947 Indian Chief had been off the road for a number of years due to some parts problems. The sleeves installed many
years ago were of not real good quality (which was found out by others many years ago) and wore very quickly (two rebores al-
ready). With that I found a crack from the intake into the cylinder which had been welded once before. After these two problems I
have never felt comfortable riding it for any distance, so it just sat looking like an older museum restoration that had been ridden
hard and put away wet.
Along comes 2013 and I decided to sh*t or get off the pot with the bike. I thought this time I would go eyes closed, head down and
running into a full restoration. While at the Davenport meet that fall I talked to Mike Thomas from "Kiwi Indian" about a motor re-
build. After getting a ball park estimate for worse case scenario, I told him I would pack it up and ship it out to him. Because I knew
it would not be that much (Haaa…!!!!)
So here we go, I tore the bike down, crated the motor and off it went to Kiwi Indian in Calif. in about mid November. At that time
many other parts were sorted and lost and hidden by the garage fairies before being powder coated, painted professionally or spray
bombed, cad plated and replaced.
While the tear down was happening I was in touch with Mike in Calif. and was receiving photos of my Indian grenade!!!! The pho-
tos showed the new cracks in the cylinders, left 47 and right 48 cases, worn cams, not the best flywheels, cracked transmission case,
very unhappy gears and misc pieces. The good news was the carb, oil pump and distributor could be rebuilt and were worth saving.
So…now we talked about what to do. With enough money all could be made happy again (happy for the motor not my pocket book).
I would have a very nice, correct 1947 74ci Indian motor with a happy 3speed transmission, orrr… The other option would be a new
motor built by Mike. The motor would be an 84 ci, standard compression with a new 4 speed transmission. This would a motor that
could run at higher speeds all day and would have all new metal and upgraded parts. Yes it would cost more but when you are into
numbers that you have trouble saying in the first place, what the hey!!! After talking it over with the wonderful bride, her comment
was "go ahead and get it, if you don't all you will have is a yellow ash tray sitting in the garage". Now it was on my shoulders, can I
bring myself to spending that much. A couple days later I was on the phone and sent the down payment for the 84ci motor and 4spd
Trans. Just after the first of the year a new motor showed up and it looked just like the motor I sent away but clean and shiny. I just
hope it was worth it.
15
PROJECTS 1947 INDIAN CHIEF by Dave “Ride em” Rademacher (cont.)
Knowing I wanted it on the road before our National meet
I wasted much time and got going in the spring on most
items. Some things were sent out and came back on time
and others took a bit. That’s just the way things go. Well
the National meet came and went and the Indian was not
done yet. Wings and Wheels was now the goal. That
came and went oh well, but things are getting closer.
Well along comes the first part of August, powder coating
is done, paint is done, spray bomb done, cad plating done,
new tires and stainless spokes done, wiring done along
with all the other bits. Now is time to start it. No big start-
ing party, just me in the shop alone so I can cheer or
cry!!.. Life is good some times and now, it's alive!!!!! It
fires up after a few kicks and is running great. It was
worth all the work after all!! The only concern I have is
it really is tight to kick over with my new knees and an
unhappy hip, oh well it will loosen up in time.
Now we come to Davenport 2014. I'm talking to Mike
telling him how great it runs and how happy I am. Then
up comes the topic of (God forbid!!!) electric start. I had a very good year selling so home I come with an electric start conversion
for the Indian. On it goes (with no cutting, welding) old parts go in a bag and in storage. I hate to say what a wonderful thing for a
guy that is getting older. The funny thing is most people that look at it never even miss the kicker not being there.
As I write this the Chief is resting under the tarp in the shop waiting for next spring to be out on the road putting on some more
miles. Since I got it running this fall I have put 600 miles on it. That is more than I have put in the bike in the last 10 years total. I
have to say it cost a lot of cash but to me it was worth it. I remember back in 1963 or 64 when I bought it from my cousin's husband
in Hector for the outrageous price of $2.00. It was a basket case and totally wore out then and had not been on the road since 1958.
So after the first restoration (total cost of $2500.00) I think I still am coming out good on the deal.
So that's the story of my 1947 Indian Chief. It's now back on the road where it belongs I still have the license plate stabilizer plate on
the bike that was put on in the early 80's that says "if ya got em ride em" I still believe that's what these bikes were made for and
I'll be doing just that as long as I am able.
The Motoped - a Frankenstein Bicycle-Moped-Dirtbike you can build by Cal Spooner
I follow the blog of a friend who writes for MN Motorcycle monthly;
Tom, also known as “The Geezer” writes with a pull-no-punches
style, an opinionated motorcycle-riding curmudgeon who makes his
living “pissing people off”, as he puts it. Tom is a lifelong rider/racer
who teaches people to ride through the Motorcycle Safety Founda-
tion's basic rider course. I don’t always agree with his opinions, but I
am always entertained and follow his blog at:
http://geezerwithagrudge.blogspot.com; there is always something
amusing or interesting there. And that’s how I found out about the
Motoped.
The Motoped pushes the limits of conventional moped design, using
standard downhill mountain bike parts mated to a spine-style
frame. The frame will hold any Honda (or clone) horizontal four-
stroke engine; the most copied small motorcycle engine of all
time, originally introduced in 1969. These engines range from the
original Honda Mini-Trail motor of 49cc up to 180cc+ monster clones, most of which will bolt right in. The design also uses the
tank, seat and plastic bodywork of the CRF50 or XR50 pitbike. The result is more like a powerful lightweight dirt bike than anything
else, but it could be pedaled like a bike and licensed as a moped. I saw videos of mile-long wheelies and I was hooked:
https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/projects/765352/video-319817-h264_high.mp4
Image from Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2097071998/motopeds
16
PROJECTS The Motoped - a Frankenstein Bicycle-Moped-Dirtbike you can build by Cal Spooner (cont.)
Parts in the Frame Kit
It was a Kickstarter project, where you financially back an upstart
company with a portion of the funding needed to produce their
product, and get something in return. If enough people back the
project in a given time, the company has funding and is tasked with
actually producing the item. It can be risky, and I had reservations;
not enough backers, not enough time. Too expensive. The time
went by, and they were not funded.
But a short while later they were back. They found a better way to
mass produce the frame, and the price was reasonable. There were
several options available; the “bare bones” frame kit, or the frame
packaged with all the parts necessary, except the motor. The frame
kit was $688 shipped, and I jumped on board. This time they
funded quickly. I figured it would be no sweat to scrounge up
mountain/pit bike parts, right? They’re just bike parts! So I started
looking for the parts I would need, using a “suggested” list. And
here’s where I got an education about what “downhill mountain bike” means.
It sounded so romantic - get your old pit bike out of the garage, and your old
mountain bike, and bolt the parts on this frame. But the reality is, none of this
stuff is cheap. Downhill MTB riders are the guys who ride off the edges of
cliffs, making their way down much like freestyle skiers, jumping from ledge
to ledge and doing tricks all the way down. The parts are as strong as motor-
cycle parts, only one-third the weight and more expensive than anyone can
imagine. A set of forks can easily set you back $1500; a rear shock, $600.
Some of the parts, like the fork, are cut for the frame they are installed on.
They are not generally usable on anything else after that, so not a lot of op-
portunity to buy used parts. I did what I could, and bit the bullet on the rest. In
hindsight, I should have seen it coming. This bicycle would weigh 110 lbs;
bicycle parts would have to be the strongest/best available.
It seemed like it took forever for that frame kit to show up, but eventually it did (minus the rear hub because of a manufacturing er-
ror) two months behind schedule. The assembly went well, save for my ignorance of MTB mechanics. I had to learn as I went, look-
ing up everything. There is a whole weird MTB tech world that I knew nothing about. I can put together an old Triumph motor with-
out so much as a leak, but a lot of this MTB stuff was completely new to me.
The late-arriving rear hub held things up a bit, but I still didn’t have a motor. Lo and behold, the AMCA swap meet came through for
me. A couple just outside the door of the progress building had three old Honda Z-50 motors. I bought the best looking one (on a
stand even!) for $40. It turned out to be a 1970 vintage Z50AE K1 motor, and to this day all I have done is change the oil. I had to
get a one-wire coil off eBay, but after I hooked it up, it fired right up and ran happily; a vintage assembly that made the whole thing
seem much more familiar.
Eventually the rear hub showed up. I had Holmes Hobbies make me 13ga spokes, and laced up the wheel. Started installing chains,
cranks, etc. Fork is a Rockshox Domain dual-crown (like a motorcycle triple-tree fork); brakes are Avid BB7 mechanical 200mm
disk. Rockshox rear shock w/500lb spring, Sinz cranks, FSA head bearings. The Motoped has an awesome design, using a jackshaft
where all the chains come together at the swingarm pivot point. Because of this, the chains do not loosen/tighten with suspension
travel; and whatever has more push, pedals or motor, drives the bike.
By late summer I had most of it together, and had taken a few test rides on it. The last bits of assembly consisted of mounting lights
and wiring it up to be street legal. I went with a vintage look, a big, round headlight and bullet tail/brake.
Frame Kit Assembled
17
PROJECTS The Motoped - a Frankenstein Bicycle-Moped-Dirtbike you can build by Cal Spooner (cont.)
How the Jackshaft Works
18
PROJECTS The Motoped - a Frankenstein Bicycle-Moped-Dirtbike you can build by Cal Spooner (cont.)
They make 70cc cylinders marked “49cc”. Hmmmmm….
It retains the stock 6V Honda system and has a small battery
mounted under the frame (the Z-50 K1 was the only mini-trail
that used a battery) that runs the tail/brake. Another separate
charging coil energizes the headlight. I was able to build all the
switches for lights, horn & kill into one housing on the left bar.
Ignition switch is mounted behind the headlight.
Licensing it as a moped was a runaround, but eventually I was able to
get a moped plate and title. Suffice to say, you have to go to the DMV,
then the inspection site, and repeat two more times with a one month
wait in the middle. Title says year: 2014 and “reconstructed”.
So there it is - I have my plate and can ride it, now that winter has
dumped its early frozen hell on us. I’ve been determined to ride it anyway; it goes good in the snow and I found some hand guards I
mounted on the bars. It might have been worth it all for that. When spring comes, I will have been on two wheels at least once a
week, all winter long. As soon as I get some warmer clothes, I’ll see you at Diamonds.
19
PROJECTS The Motoped - a Frankenstein Bicycle-Moped-Dirtbike you can build by Cal Spooner (cont.)
Not Afraid to Dump It!!
For more details on construction visit:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2097071998/motopeds and http://www.motoped-choose-your-adventure.com/
PS – I did a little looking around today and it seems that I'm one of the lucky ones who ordered a frame kit, and actually received
one. It looks like a lot of Motoped customers, especially the ones who ordered the full bike kit, got stiffed and are still waiting. It
looks like they turned over their business to a company called Motovox; there is a new website up. It's pretty obvious they got in
over their heads, but no one is talking about it. I don't know how reliable the company is at this time, and would advise against order-
ing anything until things get better. Pirate Cycles (http://www.piratecycles1.com/) has ties to Motoped and may be a more reliable
source of the frames & parts..
20
The Night Before Christmas
T’was the night before Christmas at the motorcycle store,
The sales clerks were gone; they’d locked up the door.
Back in service, the tools were hung with great care,
The floors had been swept, the workbenches bare.
Sales had been brisk, filling staff with elation,
As they headed down south for their winter vacation.
The new shiny sport bikes had all been sold out,
And all that was left was an Indian Scout,
A Norton Commando, A Rudge Multi too,
And a black BMW R32.
A Vincent, a Matchless and Velocette,
And a drippy old Brough that wouldn’t start on a bet.
“This stinks,” said the Norton, “We’re just as fine,
As those Japanese bikes the kids buy all the time.”
“You’re right,” said the Vincent as he grew agitated,
“All I need is to get my back tire inflated.
Then I could compete with the best of ‘em yet.”
“Me too! I’m still fast,” cried the old Velocette.
“If someone was handy, someone was smart,
They’d know how to fix us and get us to start.”
And so while they rumbled and whined and complained,
They didn’t notice a visitor came.
He was dressed all in leather, black head to toe
And his helmet had reflective stickers that brightly glowed.
His beard was snow white. It reached to his chest.
How he got in the door was anyone’s guess.
He looked them all over. “Merry Christmas,” he said.
Are you fellows available to pull my big sled?”
“Who, us?” laughed the Matchless. “We’re rusty and old.
Nobody wants us, that’s why we’re not sold.
The kids want electric, not our old kickstarts.
These young punks think we’re just bikes for old farts.”
“My Lucas headlight hasn’t worked well in years,”
Said the Rudge. “And my gearbox is missing some gears.
I’d be much obliged if you’d look at my choke,
And the earthing bushing in my magneto is broke.”
“My mix is too rich, I think,” said the Beemer.
“Does anyone know how to set the carb leaner?”
Then Santa said, “Hey, stop the whining you guys.
You’re legends and history in many mens’ eyes.
So what if you’re rusty and don’t look brand new?
Hypermotards and Busas wouldn’t be here without you.”
Then the vintage bikes lights started glowing with pride.
And the Norton Commando said, “Let’s take a ride!”
“I’m ready, let’s go, come on!” said the Brough,
“Let’s get it in gear and show’em our stuff.”
They took to the road, their pipes roared like thunder.
And Santa sat back in his sled filled with wonder.
And he said as he watched them race into the night,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a safe ride.”
21
This is the story about the annual Catholic Church Polka Picnic in Buena Vista, where we stop on our way
back from Davenport. I have heard more than one club member say that this is their favorite part of the ride.
Where & how legalized gambling in Iowa was launched back in 1971 by Chuck Offenburger
In this spring of 2014, our Greene County in west central Iowa is asking the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to grant a li-
cense so that Wild Rose Entertainment can develop a casino, hotel and conference center to serve the area around Jefferson. As
we’ve learned how big, profitable and philanthropic the gambling industry now is in the state, our columnist recalled a stop he made
in 2001 in the little place in northeast Iowa where, in 1971, the new era of gambling was launched. It’s quite a story, and remember,
it was written 13 years ago.
In the midst of the lottery frenzy that has had everyone running to convenience stores to buy the $1 chances, Carla and I found our-
selves driving north of Dubuque in northeast Iowa on our way to see Effigy Mounds National Monument. And right in our path on
the Great River Road, we encountered North Buena Vista, a town of 150. “Bingo!” I yelled. “I’m buying a Powerball ticket right
here!” Much to my surprise, I learned you cannot buy a Powerball ticket, or any other kind of state lottery ticket, in North Buena
Vista. “That fact,” I said, “is news!” Carla rolled her eyes, obviously having forgotten, as most people have, the special place in
Iowa history held by little “Buenie,” as the locals call their town.
A SUNDAY NIGHT RAID
On the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend 30 years ago, two agents of the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation drove into town
as the annual “Buenie Picnic” held as a benefit by the local Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was winding up its day of fri-
volity and fund raising. The agents confiscated an illegal “wheel of fortune” gambling device, bingo equipment, five decks of cards,
a dice table and they noticed how beer was being served illegally. The next day, parish priest Rev. Carl Ruhland was formally
charged with “running a gambling house.”
The agents, who expressed regret about having to make the raid, were well aware that the Buenie Picnic was a 40-year-old tradition
that typically attracted 8,000 or more people in one day, raising as much as $65,000 to help support the Catholic elementary school
in nearby Guttenberg. But they’d been ordered into North Buena Vista by Iowa’s colorful Attorney General, Richard C. Turner. He
had apparently been challenged by a Des Moines Register reporter, who was asking what Turner was going to be doing about the
illegal gambling and drinking the Register reported was happening at the church picnic.
Robert Ludovissy, 64, now the mayor of North Buena Vista, recalled last week that the local people later heard that state agents were
first sent into the north part of Buena Vista County, nearly 300 miles away in northwest Iowa. Then the authorities realized the pic-
nic was happening in a little town named North Buena Vista that none of them had ever heard of.
Two weeks after the raid, Father Ruhland pleaded guilty to the charge in Clayton County District Court in Elkader and paid a $100
fine. En route to Elkader that day, parishioners and other supporters formed a caravan of cars behind Father Ruhland’s car, which
was topped with a big sign that said “Come to Buenie for Fun.” They packed the courthouse, the Register reported. They roared
when, immediately after the legal proceedings, Father Ruhland stood up in front of the judge and yelled, “There will be free coffee
for everyone at Angie’s,” a popular Elkader restaurant then.
A HUGE IMPACT ON THE STATE
The future of Iowa was changed dramatically after what happened in North Buena Vista.
The idea of state agents raiding church picnics and charging priests was an outrage to most Iowans. Legislators had already began
receiving pressure that the time had come to liberalize Iowa’s “blue laws,” which prohibited gambling anytime, beer and liquor sales
on Sunday and other things we now take for granted. After the Buenie raid, the Iowa Legislature in 1972 passed a joint resolution
calling for a public vote to repeal the Constitutional ban on gambling. That repeal vote came in the 1972 general election, and in
1973, the Legislature legalized bingo, raffles and other low-stakes games of chance. That opened the door.
Three decades later, Iowa’s gambling industry has now grown to include 10 casino boats, three race tracks with pari-mutuel wager-
ing, three Native American casinos and ubiquitous slot machines, as well as the Iowa Lottery “scratch ticket” games and the national
Powerball game which is headquartered in Des Moines. Gaming receipts for the state government are nearing $200 million per year.
Thousands of people are employed at the casinos and tracks. Gambling attracts millions of tourists to Iowa. Addiction treatment pro-
grams have sprung up.
It was bound to start somewhere. And little North Buena Vista happened to be the place. Why? How?
22
OH THOSE REPORTERS!
“That son of a B turned us in, that’s how,” Father Ruhland, who is now 82 and retired in Dubuque, said with a laugh last week – and
“son of a B” was the exact term he used. He was talking about Veryl “Sandy” Sanderson, who is now 56, a former reporter for the
Des Moines Register who is now managing editor of the weekly Press Citizen newspaper in Ankeny, just north of Des Moines. Actually, Sanderson didn’t turn anybody in. He just wrote a story describing what was going on in front of him at the Buenie Picnic
on Sunday, Sept. 5, 1971. Here is the top of his story, as it ran on page one of the Register the next morning, Labor Day:
“NORTH BUENA VISTA, IA. – Beer sales and gambling were included in the activities Sunday at Immaculate Conception Catholic
Church’s annual parish picnic here. “A plastic cup of beer sold for 25 cents. “Plays on the games of chance costs from 25 cents to $2 a bet. “Iowa law forbids the sale of beer on Sundays and forbids gambling at any time. “However, the gamblers, who ranged from elderly grandmothers to teen-agers, and the beer drinkers did not seem to mind.”
What made Sanderson decide to go cover the Buenie Picnic on the Sunday of a holiday weekend?
“A Register photographer named Maury Horner and I had been to Wisconsin the week before the picnic on a story,” Sanderson re-
called. “As we drove back to Des Moines, we decided to stop in Dubuque for a beer, and the guys in the bar were asking us if we
were going to come back up on Sunday for this ‘Buenie Picnic.’ They said it was a great time – all kinds of beer and gambling in
this tiny little town tucked away up on the Mississippi River north of Dubuque. I said something about, ‘That does sound like a good
story, maybe we will.’ “As we drove on home, Maury said, ‘You know, Sandy, I’m not sure covering that story would be such a
good idea. It sounds like it has trouble written all over it.’ He turned out to be right about that.”
SLIPPING INTO “BUENIE” FOR A STORY.
But Sanderson told his bosses at the Register about the big, wide-open picnic, and they thought it sounded like something that should
be covered, too. So on that Sunday, Sanderson and photographer Larry Neibergall flew to Dubuque in a chartered airplane, arranged
to borrow a car and drove to North Buena Vista. The town sits in a deep valley in the bluffs right along the river. There were hun-
dreds of cars already there by the time the Register duo flew over about 10:30 a.m., capturing the scene in an aerial photo. More peo-
ple were arriving on their small boats at the local marina, then being hauled up the hill into town in a pick-up truck that had been
dubbed on its sign, “Tijuana Taxi.”
“The town was teeming with people by the time we got there,” Sanderson said. “There was so much traffic they had deputy sheriffs
out there directing traffic. They had great meals – I still remember how good the food was – and they had all kinds of drinking and
gambling going on.”
He said he and Neibergall never identified themselves as being from the Register. Instead, they just observed what was happening
and Neibergall shot photos as discreetly as he could. They left for Dubuque by 3 p.m.
“I quickly wrote up my story and I dictated it by phone back to the Register from the Dubuque airport,” Sanderson said. “Then we
flew back to Des Moines so Larry could get his film processed and the photos ready for the paper.”
So, Sanderson’s story was written and published with no mention of the raid, or the arrest of the priest, which, remember, happened
at 10:15 p.m. that Sunday night.
“I had no idea that happened,” Sanderson said. “When we got back to Des Moines, I probably checked with the Register to make
sure my story was O.K., and then went home. I was headed back out of town the next day to go to New Orleans on a story, so I
wanted to see my family and get some sleep.”
SO, WHAT WAS THE STATE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? He now says that sometime late that Sunday afternoon or evening, another Register reporter read the draft of his story about the
Buenie Picnic as it was being edited and prepared for the newspaper. Sanderson recalls that reporter being Michael Sorkin, who see-
ing mention of the illegal gambling and drinking, decided to pursue it a bit further. “Sorkin called (Attorney General Richard)
Turner,” Sanderson said. “He asked Turner what he was going to do about it.”
There was no mention of any call to Turner, or reaction from him, in Sanderson’s Monday story. However, in the Tuesday Register,
Sorkin authored a page one story about the raid under a bold, banner headline across the top of the page: “CHARGE PRIEST IN
GAMBLING.” It told the story about the two BCI agents going into North Buena Vista late Sunday night and confiscating the gam-
bling equipment. Father Ruhland was formally charged the next morning in a “county attorney’s information” filed before a district
court judge. No bond was required, as the judge released the priest on his own recognizance.
23
Sorkin is now an investigative reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he’s worked for the past 20 years. After he left the
Register, he was hired to be an investigator in Attorney General Turner’s office, then later returned to newspapering in St. Louis. I probed Sorkin’s memory last week about the North Buena Vista story, and whether he made the call to Turner on that long ago
evening. But after hearing some details of the story, Sorkin said, “I have no recollection of that. It’s just not ringing any bells.” He
couldn’t recall writing the second-day story that wound up with the banner headline, either.
Well, it has been 30 years ago. Sanderson remembered that in the year after the raid, Turner “proceeded to close down all the gam-
bling in the state – all the country club calcuttas, all the gambling at the county fairs.” And that led to increasing pressure on legisla-
tors to change the Iowa laws.
INVITED BACK TO “BUENIE” AS SPECIAL GUESTS. When it came time for the 1972 Buenie Picnic, Sanderson recalled, the local folks invited both he and Turner to attend as special
guests. They did, making the trip separately. “They had big signs up that day saying, ‘Buenie Picnic – Turner-Sanderson Style’,”
Sanderson said. “There was no beer, no gambling, it was pretty subdued. They were not happy campers. Turner had quite an entou-
rage of people with him, so when he left, I decided I better get out of town, too, because a bunch of those good ol’ boys were looking
me over like they might do something. I wasn’t real popular there, of course.”
Turner served as attorney general until the end of 1978, went into private practice for a year and then was named U.S. Attorney in
Des Moines. He served there about five years before his death in the middle 1980s.
Sanderson remembers that he received so many angry phone calls at his residence after the big story broke “that I had to get an
unlisted phone number.” Like most other Iowans, he is amazed at how big the gambling industry has become in Iowa, and that a
long-ago story that he wrote helped launch it. “I happen to like casinos as entertainment,” he said, “but I didn’t go into that story
with the thought that it would lead to gambling being legalized, or anything like that. It just seemed like an interesting story to me,
that we had all this illegal gambling going on that was being ignored by law enforcement because it was at church picnics. North
Buenie just happened to be the one I heard about. “That did teach me a real lesson about journalism. From little things like a story
about a church picnic, the repercussions can be unforeseen. You have to be responsible and conscious of what can happen from your
work.” Sanderson is reflecting on his experience in North Buena Vista in his column in this Tuesday’s Ankeny Press Citizen.
NOW FOLKS CAN LAUGH ABOUT IT, SORT OF.
The retired Father Ruhland laughed frequently as he re-told his version of the story. “Yes, I laugh at it,” he said. “That’s the best
way to look at it. I have a clear conscience about it. I never felt like I did anything very seriously wrong. I gave people a little some-
thing to drink on a Sunday and let them gamble a little, and a lot of good came from the money. I could say to my good Lord, ‘I did-
n’t do anything against the Ten Commandments, and nobody got hurt.’ ”
He said when he was assigned to Immaculate Conception at North Buena Vista, “I was sent out there by the bishop to do something
about the children’s schooling. There was no school there, and we were sending them to St. Mary’s in Guttenberg. We had to buy a
bus, and the state wasn’t doing a damned thing about helping parochial school kids then. We had to raise money.” He said the
Buenie Picnic had been going on for years before he got involved. Church records indicate the first one was held in 1929. “They
were used to having a picnic,” he said. “I just helped them build it bigger and bigger.”
He said the two BCI agents who conducted the raid, “didn’t really want to be there. One of them later called me and said he felt bad
about what they had to do and wanted to take me out to dinner. I said, ‘The hell you do!’ ”
This week the church and town prepare for another “Buenie Family Picnic,” as the events are called now. It will begin on Sunday,
Sept. 2, with the traditional Polka Mass at 10:30 a.m., feature the same great chicken and ham dinners as usual, and feature quilts,
handcrafts, canned and baked goods. It will end in the early evening with the drawings for 160 prizes donated for the church raffle.
It is expected to draw up to 3,000 people, and will probably raise about $30,000 – both numbers less than half what they were 20 to
30 years ago.
THEN AND NOW.
“Those times were then, and these times are now,” said Mayor Ludovissy. “Things were different then. People back then were
really oriented to work and work and work for your church. Nobody wants to work that hard and that long anymore. When you
think back on those times when the picnic would raise $60,000 or more, when you think about that, to accumulate that much money
in one day in a little place like this was almost like a miracle.”
The huge crowds kept coming through the 1970s and ’80s. Beer was sold – with a license – in those years. There was limited, low-
stakes, legal gambling. There was the great food.
24
But after two, post-picnic vehicle accidents in the late 1980s resulted in dram shop settlements by the picnic’s insurance carrier, the
costs of the essential insurance became too high, Ludovissy said. Beer sales ended after the 1988 picnic, when Ludovissy recalls
“we poured beer from 13 spigots and sold 248 kegs.”
Buenie residents now have to drive to Guttenberg or Dubuque to buy their lottery tickets.
Lucille Ludovissy, 62, the mayor’s wife and partner in their Someplace Else Bar and Grill, said she sometimes wonders “why’d we
ever get raided in Buenie? Think about it. Now there’s gambling everywhere.”
She said that since the Buenie Picnic has tamed down, the town is now most famous for three things – “our cemetery up on the top of
the bluff, my bloody marys and my stuffed shrimp dinners.”
So, if you want to go to next weekend’s picnic and gamble, just for old times’ sake, what are your options? “We’ll have a bingo
game – and, yes, we do have a license for it,” said Patty Errthum, whose husband Marvin is in charge of the organizing committee.
“We probably wouldn’t even do that except that some of the older ladies like to play. And we’ll have a ‘Candy Wheel,’ where a
winning number will get you a piece of candy, although I don’t know if that is even really gambling.”
There is the parish raffle, for which $1 chances are being sold in advance, with prizes ranging from handmade quilts, oil for your car,
meals at area restaurants and small amounts of cash. When I heard about the raffle, I bought five tickets – four in my name so that if
I win I can go back and eat Lucille Ludovissy’s stuffed shrimp. The other one, just for fun, I put in the name of Veryl “Sandy” San-
derson, the reporter who gave North Buena Vista its place in Iowa history.
25
CLUB NEWS
VIKING CHAPTER BY-LAWS
As approved by the membership at the March 1995 meeting
Section I. Chapter Name
The name of this chapter shall be the VIKING CHAPER OF THE ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE CLUB
OF AMERICA (AMCA), INC.
Section II. Chapter Purpose
The purpose of the Viking Chapter shall be to seek out antique, post antique and special interest motor-
cycles and to promote the preservation and restoration of those motorcycles. The Viking Chapter shall
abide by the rules and regulations of the AMCA.
Section III. Chapter Membership
All Viking Chapter members are required to be a member of the AMCA. Chapter membership shall
include the member’s spouse.
Section IV. Chapter Officers
The Viking Chapter shall have a board consisting of eight officers elected from the membership for a
period of two years. These officers are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and four Direc-
tors.
Two Officers and two Directors are to be elected each year to provide an “overlap” of service for conti-
nuity of direction. In addition, the board shall assign a Newsletter Editor, Web Master and a Deputy
Judge who will serve as members of the board and have full voting rights as identical to other officers.
In the event a Board Member cannot complete a term, the remaining Board Members will select a re-
placement to complete the term.
Section V. Chapter Finances
Dues of fifteen dollars shall be paid to finance the operation of the Chapter as a nonprofit organization.
Spouse members are not required to pay dues. Dues are based on the calendar year regardless of when
a member joins.
Chapter Officers shall require approval of the general membership before
making expenditures exceeding $200.00.
Section VI. Chapter Meetings
Regular meetings will be held on a monthly basis. The members will be notified of each meeting by
the Chapter newsletter. Nominations of Officers and Directors will be held at the August meeting and
Elections will be held at the September meeting.
Revision history
Amended 09-19-2007
Abridged 10-17-2007