The Northwest Rider

On the second Saturday of each month, at precisely 11:30AM, the first of several motorcycles will roll into a small parking lot just west of I-5 in Mount Vernon, Washington. Within 30 minutes, a gathering of historically significant bikes and a large crowd of enthusiasts will have convened for the monthly meeting of the Washington Vintage Motorcyclists.

Sitting in for a few hours with the WVM is what I imagine it would have been like spending an afternoon with Burt Munro, the legendary New Zealander who earned (and still holds one of) three land speed records at Bonneville on the 1920 Indian Scout he purchased as a young man and modified, by himself, over a 47 year period.

One hundred and six local members, ranging in age from their late teens to eighty-plus years, turn out rain or shine for this monthly gathering, enjoying the opportunity to share stories, trade hardware, lend expertise and to conduct club business.

These are men and women who know and love the sport of motorcycling to its core, who appreciate the heart and soul of the ride, who enjoy the hard work involved in keeping their machines running smoothly and who refer to their motorcycles as ‘old iron’ because, for the most part, that’s what their bikes are still made from.

The WVM is a chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, a national non-profit organization with a 60 year history and nearly 11,000 members, who’s primary objective is the ’seeking-out, restoration, preservation and exhibit of antique motorcycles of all kinds, regardless of country or origin.’

Several club events are held annually, two of which are open to the public. The first of these is the annual Vintage Motorcycle Swap Meet, held this year on April 18th to coincide with the Mount Vernon Automotive Swap on the Skagit County Fairgrounds.  There is no admission fee to attend this event, which is the largest of its kind in Washington state. (A flyer with detailed information for attendees and exhibitors is available for download in the gallery below.)

The club’s second public event is the Anacortes Vintage Motorcycle Show which coincides with the annual Oyster Run held in Anacortes each year. This year the event will be held on Sunday, September 27.   There is no admission fee and vintage motorcycles can be entered for display, free of charge.  For more information, call (360) 299-8981.

To learn more about the Washington Vintage Motorcyclists, contact the club membership director, Walt Greenwood, at (360) 293 6480 or visit the club’s website at www.washingtonvintagemotorcyclists.org.

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