AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST September 2019

Three-day celebration of riding, racing

2019 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Honda AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Avon Tyres drew tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July to immerse themselves in all things vintage motorcycling, including the world’s largest vintage motorcycle swap meet, vintage racing, educational seminars, a bike show and more.

The three-day event—organized and promoted annually by the American Motorcyclist Association—raises funds to maintain the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio.

The 2019 event was the 25th at Mid-Ohio in Lexington, Ohio, where an incredible motorcycle city springs up each year amid the rolling hills and corn fields.

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. had a large presence this year to celebrate its 60th anniversary, as well as highlight the 50th anniversary of the iconic Honda CB750, which Honda launched in 1969, and the 40th year since the CBX was introduced.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Bubba Shobert and Scott Summers, both of whom rode Hondas to multiple racing victories during their storied careers, served as co-grand marshals for the event.

Enjoy this recap of the weekend’s competition and festivities. And start dreaming about the 2020 edition.

: Co-Grand Marshal Scott Summers got in on the racing action. He rode a Honda XR200 in the hare scramble competition. It was his first time racing in about 10 years.

: Motorcyclists had an opportunity each day to take their bikes on a parade lap on Mid-Ohio’s road racing circuit during the Lap for History.

: Hall of Famer and Co-Grand Marshal Bubba Shobert signs autographs at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame tent.

: The main stage in the Old Bike Barn Crossroads offered live entertainment for those seeking a brief break from the action.

: Evolved Body Art offered tattoos at a booth in the Old Bike Barn Crossroads.

: Parts, publications, running motorcycles, advice and more were available at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Swap Meet, presented by Federal Motorcycle Transport.

: The Wall of Death is always a crowd favorite.

: Co-Grand Marshal Bubba Shobert on the Mid-Ohio pit lane. He led the Lap for History all three days of the event.

: Artist Wayne Mauro

: Observed trials competitors had to maneuver their motorcycle over or around objects while trying to find traction in the slimy, muddy conditions.

: Jesse Short (left) of Columbus, Ohio, proposed to his girlfriend Candace Griffin after winning the 50cc pit bike race on Friday.

: Bike builder Jay Medeiros describes the new Hall of Fame raffle bike, a 1973 BMW R75/5 sidecar rig.

: Road racers pushed their vintage and post-vintage motorcycles to their limits on Mid-Ohio’s 2.4-mile road racing circuit.

: The soggy, challenging conditions on the hare scramble course left competitiors covered from head to toe in grass and mud, but smiling from ear to ear.

: Artist Christopher Galley, right, displayed their considerable talents in the Old Bike Barn Crossroads.