The Diamond Chapter March meeting will be Saturday the 30th at Fisherman's Grill and Pizza Shack (501-865-3222) in Bismarck AR. (behind the Valero Gas Station) on 7
south at 1:30 to eat, meeting at 2:00 PM. It is a short ride from Hot Springs to Bismarck. We can meet at my house (143 Leta Lane) at 1:00 and ride on vintage or newer motorcycles, weather permitting. New vintage
motorcycle enthusiasts are welcome, so bring your friends. New officers were elected so we have a lot of new business. It's getting to be riding season, lots of events coming up to talk about. Please try to make the
meeting. Need some ideas for April meeting place. See you there, Mike
New Officers are:
President: Mike Thomson or Greg Dingler - to be announced at the meeting.
Vice President: Greg Bright
Secretary: Kay Burns
Treasure: Linda Bright
Sgt. at Arms: Richard Rivera
Director: Mike Parker
Voting was done by email or mail to Pat Jones. Only members in good standing with local and national (dues paid) were eligible to vote. We still need a good Newsletter editor. Great pay and benefits. Any volunteers? We
also need to name the newsletter. Be thinking about it and bring it up at the meeting.
Antique Motorcycle Road Run: - click here to see flier
Antique Motorcycle Road Run April 13-14 in Jefferson Texas hosted by the Cherokee Chapter AMCA of Texas. Jefferson TX is 160 miles from Hot Springs. Take I-30 south, HWY 59 south in Texarkana, turn left on Hwy 49 into
Jefferson. The Diamond Chapter is invited to ride and be apart on this event. We need to get as many members of the Diamond Chapter to go as possible. You can ride any motorcycle you want, Vintage bikes preferred. We
will need trucks and trailers so we can get bikes there. Camping is available at Diamond Don’s, Cypress Bayou RV Park (http://www.rvparkontheriver.com/) 1-866-398-2038, just outside of town. The Inn of Jefferson
(903-665-3983) is your best bet for a motel. You can make reservations and cancel if something happens. Ask them about their cancellation policy. The word has got out on this event, so there should be a large number of
bikes riding. The Confederate Chapter will be there with some 1920’s motorcycles. Saturday's ride will be 120 miles. I do not know when it starts so be there early. I will find out events times. There will be a
motorcycle display in Jefferson after the ride. Dinner at Auntie Skinners Saturday night. Sunday's ride will be 40 miles. Jefferson is a fun small town with lots to look at so plain on spending some time. The Cherokee
Chapter (http://www.cherokeeamca.org/) is a great bunch of guys, so let’s help them all we can to make this event a big success and maybe an annual event. They will also help us
with the Antique Motorcycles in the Park and bring some bikes to show in September. I will be camping at Diamond Don's, Friday - Sunday. I will be riding my '58 Panhead or '74 BMW R90S. Sunday I will be heading to the
Hill Country of Texas for a week of riding. This will be a fun event and we will get to meet a lot of new Antique motorcycle enthusiasts. Thanks for your support, Mike
Diamond Chapter Minutes:
The meeting was called to order at 2 pm at Razorback Pizza in Hot Springs by Mike Thomson. Attendance was 20, with 3 guests. No trivia as Mike Parker was ill. Minutes were accepted as presented. Treasure's report was
accepted.
ABATE Swap Meet had good crowds both Saturday and Sunday, however we did not sign any new members. The event will be at University Cycle Shop next year.
American Pickers are still in Arkansas and meeting with Johnny Ramsey in Benton.
Elections: Nominations were taken and a slate was announced.
Pres. - Mike Thomson or Greg Dingler
Vice Pres. - Greg Bright
Sec. - Kay Burns
Treasure - Linda Bright
Sgt. at Arms - Richard Rivera
Director - Mike Parker
Ballots were passed out at the meeting and members in good standing were instructed to vote. Pat Jones served as official vote counter again this year. The results will be announced by March 15th. Members not present
will be allowed to mail ballot or vote by email.
Mike announced that the Cherokee Chapter had asked that we come to their Road Run in April at Jefferson TX. There will be a Road Run and dinner Saturday and a short run Sunday. All are welcome. We would like to have good
participation with this club.
Events:
Larry Edwards will be submitting Racing stories in the Newsletter. All are welcome to submit their motorcycle stories for the newsletter.
Next meeting will be Saturday in Bismarck at Fisherman's grill. Respectfully submitted, Linda Bright
March Birthdays: Mike Thomson, David Habeger, Don Campbell, Gary Funderbuger, Kean Kemnitz, Peter Habbe, and Bill Macsorley
American Pickers: No word from the American Pickers in some time. I assume they are out of Arkansas by now. Keep watching the show and let me know if you see them in Arkansas ASAP.
The Route 49 Rally in Jefferson, or should I say the Rain and Wind Rally, was plagued by bad weather. I went on Thursday and got set up at Diamond Don's RV Park. Overcast and drizzly rain all day, did not even unload
bikes. Friday was a little better, but cold and intermittent rain. We did get in a short ride before the rain came. They provided dinner that night, not the best sorry to say. They had a big in closed tent with heaters.
The bands were very good but a little too loud for us old folks. We could hear them just fine at the camp site. Saturday weather was cold but we did get to ride 70 miles or so. Made it to Auntie Skinners for a beer and
some dinner. The rain came down just as we were leaving. We only had a mile and a half to go so we didn't get to wet. The rain finally quit so we set around the camp fire trying to stay warm and listened to the bands.
Sunday, no rain but the winds were unbelievable. We packed up and fought head winds all the way home. It was good to see old friends but I sure hope the weather will be better for the Road Run.
Thomson's Antique Motorcycles I have sold four bikes, only 18 more to go, plus a Kubota Tractor, lots of nick nacks and a house. The project bike is still for sell. I will put it on eBay and Craigslist after the March
meeting along with several of mine. Now is the time to sell, so put the word out.
Click here for "The Back Straight"
Work Shop Tools Explained:
SON-OF-A-GUN TOOL: (A personal favorite!) Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling “SON OF A GUN!" at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
Things my Motorcycle has taught me:
1. I would rather be riding my motorcycle and thinking about God, than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle.
2. You can forget what you do for a living with the wind in your face on your motorcycle.
Events:
Mar. 30 Diamond Chapter meeting at Fisherman's Grill in Bismarck, 1:30. Meet at Mike's at 1:00 to ride. Weather permitting.
April 5-7 2nd Amendment Freedom Rally & Ride. Eureka Springs, AR. https://www.facebook.com/2ndAFR
April13-14 Road Run, Cherokee Chapter, Jefferson TX http://www.cherokeeamca.org/ click here for flier
April 19-21 Diamond Don's vintage Moto Cross, Jefferson TX http://www.diamonddon.com/
April 19-21 Arkansas Vintage Scooter State Meet, Greenwood, AR http://www.arkansasvintagescooters.com/
April 19-21 BMW Rally Sturgis, Mississippi
April 19 MOTO GP, Austin, TX
May 3-5 Arkansas State Hog Rally, Hot Springs, AR http://www.arstatehogrally.com/
May 18 AMA Flat Track Motorcycle Races, Benton, AR http://www.i-30speedway.com/
May 25 MT Ida Good Ole Days Car & Motorcycle show, Mt. Ida, AR. Contact 870-867-2311
May 29-June 1 British Car & Motorcycle Show, Hot Springs Village, AR. http://www.britishcarweeknationalmeet.org/
June 30 Diamond Chapter Mini Road Run, Hot Springs, AR.
For Sale:
Thomson's Antique Motorcycle Collection, Call 501-525-9833
Click here for more information.
1970 Triumph TR6 Club project bike, rebuilt and restored. Call 501-535-9833 for info.
French collection for sale: 76 Harley Pan Head, 70 Kawasaki Mach 3, 76 Honda GL1000, 78 Kawasaki KX125, 78 Kawasaki KZ1000, 81 Kawasaki KZ750, Contact Larry & Sonya French 501-321-3254
Be thinking about some rides and let me know. If winter will ever go away and spring will get here.
That's all folks,
Michael Thomson
