PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Motorcyclists know that there are few things cooler than a sweet vintage ride -- except for a sweet vintage ride that you pick up for a sweet deal. The hunt for those bargains brings enthusiasts back to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) vintage swap meet in droves every summer during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
The July 22-24 extravaganza is expected to be one of the biggest swap meets ever, as hundreds of vendors and thousands of buyers converge at the largest celebration of motorcycle heritage in the country.
"Covering nearly 20 acres of landscape around the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course complex, the swap meet is an impressive site to behold," said AMA Director of Operations and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jack Penton. "There are new-old-stock pistons, crank seals, fork boots, wheels, complete running bikes, not-so-complete and not-so-running bikes, shocks, fenders -- the list goes on and on.
"This is the place to find that one elusive part you need to finish your prized project, or get started on your first one," said Penton. "With 2011 shaping up to be one of the biggest swap meets in the history of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the opportunities for great deals and great finds will be considerable."
Penton added that, as a premier attraction for many attendees at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the AMA seeks to make enhancements every year.
"Last year, we introduced a number of improvements that helped the flow of traffic and better utilized the space for individual vendor displays," Penton said. "We will continue to evolve those improvements for 2011 to ensure this the best vintage motorcycle swap meet in the country."
Vendors can pre-register for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days through Thursday, June 30, for the best available locations. (Vendors who miss the preregistration deadline can still purchase space at the event.) To register, call AMA Member Services at (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646). For additional registration information, see AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.
Kawasaki will be honored as the 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Marque of the Year. There will be a number of Kawasaki-themed activities, from displays to demo rides to seminars to autograph signings. Attendees will also have an opportunity to win a new Kawasaki Z1000 and a classic Z1, given away in a single raffle that benefits the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Held at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track. In addition to the swap meet and demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes educational seminars, bike shows, motorcycling seminars, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs.
Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which is located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to "celebrate, elucidate and preserve the rich tradition of motorcycling in America." Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame's website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.