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AMCA VIKING CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

OFFICERS

March 2014

vikingamca@yahoo.com

PRESIDENT: Ron Spargo

952-443-2020

ronspargo@mindspring.com

VICE-PRESIDENT: Sean O’Neil 612-870-0766 moneil2@comcast.net

http://www.vikingmc.org

DIRECTORS: Roger Rimnac 612-825-2550 motorog1@yahoo.com

Bob Hopf 612-867-5654

codyz@juno.com

Timothy O’Keeffe

651-675-6560 okeeffetim@hotmail.com

Craig Kotval 651-269-1975 aquila1975@comcast.net

TREASURER: Roy Williams 612-377-6146

kathyroyw@gmail.com

SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP: Kathi Rimnac 612-825-2550

motokat2@yahoo.com

CLUB HISTORIAN: Tom Jones

763-533-9163

DEPUTY JUDGE: Jerry Richards 651-482-0096

trudijr@visi.com

WEB/EMAIL: Doug Nelson 612-559-9595 doug.nelson@gmail.com

NEWSLETTER: Tim Gadban 651-235-5898 tvgadban@gmail.com

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Upcoming Club Events ………... 2

President’s Message, Editor’s

Note & Holiday Party………….. 3

IMS Show 2014 …..………….…. 4

How We Started ….……………. 5

Sturgis Ride of ’89 ……....…..... 6

Tips ’n Tidbits …….………....… 7

Wanted & For Sale …………….. 8

Extended Version (EV) …….. 9 on

John J. Cerilli has been selected to fill the position

of Executive Director for the AMCA as of January

1st 2014. Until now the national club’s manage-

ment was in the hands of a volunteer Board of Di-

rectors, headed by Board President Richard Spag-

nolli. By hiring an Executive Director the AMCA

has taken the next step in its evolution: bringing in a

full-time manager who’s focus will be membership

service and long-term growth.

40th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE !!

“I am deeply honored to accept this position and I

feel this new role is a natural for me,” noted Cerilli.

“I have been involved with motorcycles for 45 years

and have been running a website focused on vintage

machines for several years. I sincerely look forward

to helping in the growth of the largest antique mo-

torcycle organization in the US.”

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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

Saturday Mar 29 thru Sunday Mar 30

DennisKirk/Donnie Smith Bike & Car Show River Center

Kellogg Blvd & 7th Street, St Paul, MN 55102

651-265-4800

Wednesday April 16, 7pm

B. O. D. Meeting Roger & Kathi Rimnac’s Home

8399 Bavaria Road, Victoria, MN 55286

952-443-2020

Wednesday May 21, 7pm

May General Meeting Blue Cat Motors

460 North Prior Ave, St Paul, MN

Tuesday May 27, 7:30pm

National Meet Planning Committee Mtg. Dulono’s Pizza, 607 West Lake Street,

Minneapolis, MN 55408

Wednesday Mar 19, 7pm

March General Meeting Jack Crane Museum

1301 East Cliff Road, Burnsville, MN 55337

952-927-8126

Tuesday April 29, 7:30pm

National Meet Planning Committee Mtg. Dulono’s Pizza

607 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Wednesday May 14, 7pm

B. O. D. Meeting Jerry & Trudi Richards Home

3295 Victoria Street No, Shoreview MN

651-482-0096

Wednesday April 23, 7pm

April General Meeting Mid-America Auctions

2008 County Road C, Roseville, MN 55113

651-633-9655

Wednesday June 4, 7pm

B. O. D. Meeting Sean O’Neil’s Home,

5528 13th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN

612-870-0766

Friday June 13 & Saturday June 14

Antique & Classic Motorcycle Show Progress Bldg., Minnesota State Fair Grounds

Sunday June 15, 10am-3pm

Blind Lizard Rally Nicollet Island, Minneapolis

Saturday May 24, 10am

Vintage Bike Spring Ride Meet at Freedom Gas Station

Prescott, WI

Saturday June 7, 10am

Ride to Hollywood Roadhouse (Hiway 7 & Co. Rd. 33)

Meet at Bob Hopf’s.at 10am (ride at 11am)

8784 Knollwood Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

612-867-5654

Saturday May 10, 9am

InterMarque Vintage Foreign Car Show Downtown Osseo, MN

Saturday May 17, 1pm

Rockers Spring Social (Ton-Up Club) Club Jaeger

923 Washington Ave North, Minneapolis

8-1/2 x 11

POSTER

ON PG. 12

OF EV

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SPARKY’S PLUG

EDITOR’S NOTE

Well guess what …. with very little hoopla the Viking Chapter’s 40th Anniversary has snuck up on us and is cause not just for cele-

bration but for tipping a helmet to our founding/charter members. This edition of the Re-Cycle newsletter features articles by long-

time members Tom Jones and Keith Peters, which casts a light on the early days of the club and really shows how much things have

changed yet essentially remained the same. Names change but bikes survive and the passion for restoring and riding them remains

undiminished and will outlive all of us …. at least until the government bans the use of internal combustion engines!

Our National Meet (concurrent with the VJMC show) is scheduled for June 13/14 at the Progress Building in the Minnesota State

Fair grounds (see Page 2). Contact, call, email, buy a beer for every creeping crawling thing on two (or three) wheels that would

have any interest in the history of motorcycles. I bamboozled some of my co-workers to come down (some begrudgingly) and they

all left with huge grins on their faces and accosted me afterwards with “I never imagined such a cool show could be put together” or

“I never knew so many vintage bikes could be collected under one roof” One of them actually got the bug and is currently restoring

a ‘73 Suzuki GT750. So …. you never know what your cajoling might lead to! Our new national Prez, John Cerilli, (see Page 1) is

threatening to make the rounds of AMCA national meets, so let’s hope we can roll out the red (sic) carpet for him in June.

Note: wherever “EV” is used indicates a reference to the Electronic (extended) Version. These extra pages contain additional photos

or information related to some articles.

I’m sitting here in my home office trying to figure out what pearls of wisdom to thrust upon you this issue and all I can see out my

window is snow and more snow. I was so hoping to see some indication that spring was forthcoming but it seems that will not hap-

pen for a while yet. Bummer, because I really want to get out and ride……soon. The bright spot in all of this is that earlier this week

I was heading out to run some errands and when I turned onto the main highway I saw a rider heading the other direction. I glanced

at the digital thermometer in the car and it read 23 degrees! This person must have needed a ride much worse than I do.

Anyway, this just shows that it’s never too early to start prepping our machinery and ourselves for the riding season. We all want to

get out as soon as possible but please be sure both you and your bike are ready. Most of us are old enough and have been riding for

long enough that we know what the necessary tasks are before we ride. This brings me to another issue that some of us may choose

to ignore but most of us might benefit from and that is a rider refresher course from the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center. Yes, I

know we all think we are excellent riders but there is always that little bit of additional knowledge that could potentially save your

bacon in an emergency. They offer sessions for all rider skills. Give them a call at 800-407-6677. You don’t have to tell any one that

you took the course unless you feel your friends and riding buddies might learn something new as well.

The club has a full schedule of events planned for 2014 and I encourage you to check the event schedule in this issue as well as on

the Viking Chapter web site. We have something planned for everyone and we want to see as many of you as we can. These events,

rides, shows, etc. don’t just happen by themselves so if you want to volunteer some time check in with the point person for that

event and see what you can do. Your help will be appreciated and I think you will have a good time.

I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the new members that joined us this winter. You will be getting a welcome call from

a board member soon so make a note with all the questions you may have.

There are a few new features in the newsletter and we would like to get your feedback. Let us know what you think and what else

you would like to see. After all, it is your club! Come on Spring!!!!

By Ron Spargo

Viking Chapter Holiday Party - January 11, 2014 Yum yum yum …as the Brits say, it was “Brilliant!” Special thanks to Tom and Cheryl Whittles for masterminding the kitchen and

to all those who contributed grub and silent auction treasures. It was a rare occasion to chow down, socialize and hob-nob that we

probably won’t have with so many members again until the Chaska picnic. Silent auction was a success and earned the club $582.

Ivar Natins received a much-deserved special volunteer tribute award while Cal Spooner and Tim Gadban were presented with Cen-

tury Rider patches that they earned on the 2013 Davenport Run. (See Pg 9-10 of EV for full list of Century Riders & more pics)

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“Here I Come to Save the Day !!!”

AMCA Viking Chapter Bikes Displayed:

Sid Chantland– 1921 Evans 119cc; Ron Spargo-1939 BSA M-20; Jene Berghoff -1949 Norton International 500cc ; Jack Crane -

1950 AJS 500cc; Nancy Wyatt - 1950 BSA Bantam; Bill Bune -1958 BSA Goldstar 500cc; Bill Bune - 1960's Triumph Track Master

750; Jim Koskovich -1965 Gilera 124cc; Ron Spargo -1967 BSA 441cc Shooting Star; Dave Rademacher -1967 Velocette LE 200cc;

Sean O'Neil -1967 HD XLH Sporster; Cris Spargo -1967 Yamaha TA125-AHRMA 200GP Racer; Bill Bune -1967 Triumph 650cc

TT Special; Mike Blackburn -1968 Honda 450 Police Bike; Jim Winteren -1971 Montesa; Dave Wogsland -1971 BSA Lightning

650cc; Dave Wogsland -1972 Suzuki; Jack Crane -1975 Norton Commando; Cris Spargo -1976 Yamaha RD400- AHRMA Cham-

pion Bike; Gary Kloss -1977 BMW R90/6.

CLUB NEWS

International Motorcycle Show (IMS) Jan 17 thru Jan 19, 2014 by Ron Spargo

This year’s International Motorcycle Show held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in January was once again a showcase for

most of the new models and accessories. Of particular interest were the new Indian motorcycles. It will be interesting to see how

they compete with Harley Davidson and Victory.

The Viking Chapter’s display emphasized the diversity of machinery to be found in our club. There was a good selection of daily

riders, restored classics, competition bikes and café racers from the USA, England, Japan, Germany and Italy. Judging from the num-

ber of folks asking questions, telling us about their rides or just staring at the bikes, I think the show was a success for the Viking

Chapter. The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) also had an outstanding selection of bikes in their display. The two club

displays were next to each other and were positioned so that all of the bikes could be easily seen.

I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time or displayed a bike. Your efforts helped make the show a hit. It’s never

too early to start thinking about next year’s show. If you have never shown your bike at this show we want to see it at the show next

year. It doesn’t need to be a show bike but it does need to be 35 years old (or older). Let us know what you want to bring and we’ll

start the list. It’s never too early to plan ahead.

“Maybe I Could Ride All Winter on this Russian Contraption !!” More IMS pics on Pg 11 Of EV

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CLUB NEWS

1954-1974-2014 Anniversaries ….. “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun” by Tom Jones

Do you remember: Blackjack chewing gum; candy cigarettes; butch wax; roller skate keys; Studebakers; lying about your age? Do

you remember 1954?

In 1954 they no longer made “real” Indians. In 1954 Harleys came with a 50th anniversary emblem on their front fender. In 1954 the

Antique Motorcycle Club (AMC) was formed. This would be the foundation for our current Antique Motorcycle Club of America

(AMCA).

In 1954 the AMC had only two motorcycle classes: Antique (1929 or older) and Post-Antique (1930 to 1942). The 35 year rule did

not yet exist. The other thing that did not seem to exist in 1954 was “the speculator” and prices that made it difficult for a “man of

modest means” to enjoy the sport. Barn finds weren’t featured on TV shows. Over-restored bikes did not show up on trailers. You

didn’t buy an old motorcycle because it was “money in the bank.” Many who bought and rode old bikes did so because they could-

n’t afford a new machine.

In 1954 most people who joined the AMC were enthusiasts rather than collectors or accumulators. Cheap old bikes led to collections

and the preservation of many bikes that probably would have seen their last days on the scrap heap.

1974 – AMF Harleys, John Denver, oil shortages, the British motorcycle industry on its last legs and here in Minnesota another cold

winter. With the help of a keg of beer, a group of eight old bike enthusiasts decided to try and start a chapter of the AMC here in

Minnesota. The word went out and on April 9th, 27 riders showed up in St Paul and voted to form a chapter of the national AMC ….

if they’d have us. Voting to start a chapter was easy, picking a name was not. The British faction wanted something like “The Dag-

mynos Chapter”, a name that was totally confusing to people who ride Harleys and fish through holes in the ice. Finally, after sev-

eral votes, “The Viking Chapter” carried the day. Of the 27 who attended that first meeting in St Paul, few had a bike that qualified

as either antique or post-antique …. we saw this a no problem.

1974 – Willie Jensen was our first President. We had no money (any that we did get was kept in a coffee can). There were two ma-

jor events scheduled for the summer: Davenport and a picnic in Chaska. We were off and riding! (To be continued)

Rick Wyatt - Charter Member

Roy Egeberg - Charter Member

on 1910 Pierce

Bob Battin - Charter Member

Harvey Berquist

Charter Member Lola Jensen - Charter Member

Tom Jones

Charter Member

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CLUB NEWS

The Viking Chapter’s Sturgis Ride of 1989 – 25 Years Ago! by Keith Peters

Getting ready for Sturgis 2014? Remember the Viking Chapter’s ride to Sturgis of 1989, the 49the annual Sturgis Rally? Here are

some highlights of that trip as recorded in my trip journal.

As continues in tradition, the Chapter riders met at the (formerly named) Country Kitchen on highway 7 near Minnetonka. I was on

our 1951 Chief “Exxon Valdez” and Grease (Ron Garren) rode his 1945 Harley. While gassing up I asked if Grease could get the

cap off something for me. He said yes and that he had great hand strength because he had been choking the chicken for so long.

After visiting Dean Hanson’s pork ranch, we camped at Wessington Springs and went into the Red Dog Saloon (long since fallen

down), where the waitress looked like Debra Winger.

Mel and Bonnie at the KOA/Deadwood had grown grass in the camping area so we tented in luxury. In a walk-around of Dead-

wood, a bunch of us went into the Army surplus store (pre-casinos) back when Deadwood was still a former mining town. We

stopped into the police station to get toilet paper for the public toilet. Some of this year’s attendees I noted and we hung out with

(among many others not noted) included Gloria Peters, Jack Fish, Rick/Lisa/Linda Schunk, Joe & Ed Grayden, Doug Sather, Rollie

& Sue Stohrer. We saw Malcolm Forbes on Main Street in Sturgis, and I think this is the year that Tom Jones had Mr. Forbes sign a

$ million check (Tom’s account, not Mr. Forbes’.) A bunch of us went to The Circle B Ranch for their cowboy “beans & cornbread”

dinner and music show one night. They played lots of “Sons of the Pioneers” type cowboy music.

At least once during the week we had breakfast at the old, tilting and sinking “Latchstring Inn” about half-way down the Spearfish

Canyon road. During the week some of us rode down to Jewel Cave and Hot Springs. By Friday night, the downtown Sturgis’s

crowd was severely down because many people had already gone home. Some of us started the ride home with a Saturday morning

breakfast at Wiemer’s Bakery, downtown Sturgis, and headed east to try and ride between the thunderstorms. We camped again at

Wessington Springs and rode into the Cities on a nice-weather Sunday. I noted that we left for Sturgis with 530 miles on the In-

dian’s engine (rebuilt by Kenny Trembo, late Viking Chapter member from Henderson, MN) and put another 1,700 miles on it dur-

ing this week. It pulled a lot harder after I advanced the timing. As I heard Grease saying, it wouldn’t pull ‘a sickly whore off a

greasy bar stool.’ The guy majored in BS.

Keith & Gloria Peters in front of the Moonshine Gulch Saloon

First Chaska Picnic

Don Hagen

Shows at Davenport

Jerry Stageberg presents prize to

Kenny Trimbo at First Chaska Picnic

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TIPS ‘N TIDBITS

RIDING TO HEAVEN ON A HARLEY

Bill Standley was spectacularly laid to rest in a Mechanicsburg Ohio cemetery on January 23, 2014 while seated on his beloved

1967 Electra Glide, thanks to the handiwork of five embalmers who used a metal back brace with straps. Standley’s sons built the

plexiglass box to contain bike and rider, designed in turn to fit inside a nine-by-eleven foot cement container needed for burial. The

whole project was Bill’s dying wish and had been planned out for over six years.

EVILS of ETHANOL from the Editor

“Ethanol is bad for everything … it is a tool of the devil himself. Avoid ethanol, herpes and the Venereal Trifecta with equal fervor

and diligence” - Bonehead.

Ah Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) … the bane of every vintage motorcycle carburetor and anathema to engine gaskets, seals and rubber

parts. There is a spirited debate on the negative aspects of ethanol, but two things are clear …. over time it takes its toll on carbure-

tor and engine parts and that fuel additives are not a good choice to counter the effects. For those of us that do not want grains and

vegetables in our gasoline there are some alternatives. Ergo this short article and a list of service stations that dispense ethanol-free

gasoline locally. For a comprehensive statewide list consult this website http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=MN

Anoka: Superamerica - 750 West Main Street

Apple Valley: Kwik Trip - 7575 145TH Street West

River Co. Co-op - 15050 Galaxie Ave

Burnsville: Burnsville Auto Repair (BP) - 12001 Co. Road 11

Eden Prairie: Holiday Stationstore 12619 Valley View Road

Edina: Wally’s Service - 4500 Valley View Road

Forest Lake: Karl’s Korner BP - 1107 Hiway 97 East

Hopkins: Midnite Market - 5 South 6th Ave

Inver Grove Hts: Sinclair - 6466 Cahill Ave

Trestle Stop - 9717 South Robert Trail

Lake Elmo: Hagberg’s Market - 11325 Stillwater Blvd

Lake Elmo Oil - 11127 Stillwater Blvd

River Country Co-op - 4201 Manning Ave North

Lakeville: Mills Fleet Farm - 17070 Kenrick Ave

River Country Co-op - 9290 202nd Street

Maple Grove: Maple Grove BP - 13379 Bass Lake Road

Maple Lake: Cenex - 4825 Hiway 55

Maple Plain: Olson’s Market (Cenex) - 5249 Hiway 12

Maplewood: Amstar - 1690 McKnight Road North

Fleming’s Bear 36 Auto - 2271 White Bear Ave

Minneapolis: Dave’s Riverside Shell - 2817 Riverside Ave

Geller Auto - 4601 Minnehaha Ave South

Jim’s Chicago Service - 5400 Chicago Ave So

University Service - 1625 Como Ave SE

Minnetonka: Glen Lake Mobile - 14525 Excelsior Blvd

New Brighton: Beach’s Service - 2251 Long Lake Rd

Hermann’s Hwy Service - 500 Old Hwy 8 NW

North St Paul: Short Stop - 2473 Division Street North

Plymouth: BP Station - 3855 Plymouth Blvd

VIP Auto Service - 9950 County Rd 9

Richfield: Penn BP - 6601 Penn Ave South

Richfield 66 - 1217 East 66th Street

Rosemount: Shell Station - 7468 167th Street West

Roseville: Dale BP - 2151 Dale Street North

Savage: Valley Oil Co - 7369 Hiway 13 West

So St Paul: Kaposia Station - 1301 Southview Blvd

St Paul: All American Auto Service - 1036 Grand Ave

Highland Service - 485 Snelling Ave South

M&H - Arcade & Minnehaha

Parkway BP - 304 Wheelock Pkwy East

St Paul Park: Duffy’s Union - 701 Broadway Ave

White Bear Lake: Classic Collision Center - 4061 Hiway 61

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Viking Chapter AMCA Inc. 7314 Chicago Ave South, Richfield, MN 55423

MARCH 2014

Winter - by Kim Scholer

FOR SALE

Extension for motorcycle Handy Lift

(for longer wheelbase bikes). $50

Call Dave 763-755-8520

FOR SALE

1983 Honda CB1000, 55K mi, Shaft,

Dual Range Trans, Good cond. $1150

Call Tim 651-235-5898

WANTED

Vincent basket case or project bike.

Also interested in misc. parts.

Call Tim 651-675-6560

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MORE PICS FROM THE JAN 11 HOLIDAY PARTY

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CENTURY RIDER PATCH RECIPIENTS

The Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Viking Chapter

CENTURY RIDER PATCHES

As of January 17, 2014

Qualifications for a Century Rider

The rider’s age plus the bike’s age must equal 100 or more.

You must ride at least 500 miles in two days. The days do not have to be consecutive but must be

done during a single event. A ride to Davenport, IA and home in 3 days later is okay.

The event must be AMCA or Viking Chapter approved.

Century riders must be a member of the Viking Chapter at the time of the ride.

Who and When Started the Century Rider Award?

Tom Jones, 2009, Charter Member of the Viking Chapter.

Century Rider Member Date & Place Patch Awarded

Harvey Berquist January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Keith Braun January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Craig Kotval August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN

Steve Doeden January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Tim Gadban January 11, 2014 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Joel Hamel January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Dean Hansen August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN

Tom Jones January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Paul Joswick January 7, 2011 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Gary Kloss January 5, 2013 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Glen Konz August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN

Paul Meisel January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Doug Nelson January 5, 2013 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Ivar Natins January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Tom Nordmeyer January 9, 2010 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Keith Peters January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Kerry Rasmussen January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Paul St. John August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN

Rick Schunk January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Ralph Smith January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Steve Solnitzky August 29, 2010 – Chicken Bar-B-Q, Chaska, MN

Cal Spooner January 11, 2014 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Ron Spargo January 5, 2013 – Christmas Party, Roseville, MN

Rich Syverson January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

John Wright January 10, 2009 – Christmas Party, Richfield, MN

Prepared by and Updated by: Tom Jones and Trudi Johnson-Richards, Viking Chapter

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MORE PICS FROM THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW

Triumph on Steroids?!? …. who needs brakes?!?!

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