This September Motorcycle Cannonball first timer # 9 Chris Tribbey will be riding a 1911 Excelsior Single Speed Belt drive from Portland, ME to Portland, OR. Chris has come up with a few great products for supporters that are interested.
Mens Shirts are $23.00
Ladies Shirts are $28.00
Pennants are $20.00
For more Information and ordering instructions please contact Chris Tribbey at:
tribbeycannonball2018@gmail.
Through its network of 75 affiliated chapters in the U.S. and abroad, the AMCA provides a way for antique-bike fans to share their interest with others in their local area. Chapters typically host regular meetings, plus activities like bike shows, swap meets and antique-bike road runs.
At the national and international level, the AMCA maintains a calendar of National Meets and Road Runs that include some of the premier antique-motorcycle gatherings in the world. National Meets typically include a large vendor area, where members can sell everything from antique-bike parts to entire motorcycles that are at least 35 years old. In addition, National Meets offer a full schedule of other activities, ranging from seminars and bike shows to motorcycle field games and antique-bike racing. 
National Road Runs provide an opportunity to use these classic machines for their intended purpose—riding on back roads in some of the most scenic parts of the country.
In addition to those events, AMCA members also get access to a number of benefits, including a high quality magazine six times a yand online forums where they can seek advice from experts, and the AMCA Virtual Motorcycle Library, featuring downloadable copies of hundreds of old and rare sales brochures, parts lists and repair manuals. Plus, AMCA members receive discounts on admission to some of the country’s premier motorcycle museums.
Mostly, though, people join the AMCA to meet up with others who share their interest in machines from the classic era of motorcycling. For some, that means the satisfaction that comes from investing thousands of hours in bringing a rusted hulk back to it original perfection. To others, it means preserving artifacts of the past so that they can be appreciated by future generations, or the simple pleasure of enjoying a two-lane road at an unhurried pace—just like motorcyclists generations ago.
Does that sound like you? Why not join with thousands of other like-minded antique-bike fans by becoming a member of the AMCA?
Cannonballer #22 is a two-time rider who is signed up to make it a triad for 2018. The 66-year-old Lauritsen chuckles when asked where he’s from. He announces that he’s a South Dakota resident who lives in Nebraska, an arrangement made for business purposes. For 45 years Jeff transported bees across the country, primarily between California, Texas, North and South Dakota, but says he’s retired to the life of a farmer now. “I’m a hobbyist farmer,” he grins. “It’s what I do for relaxation, really.”
The story of how he became smitten with the run comes from stumbling across the riders as they made their way across the Midwest back in 2012. He and his wife Linda were out for a pleasure ride one sunny afternoon and started seeing all these old bikes sputtering along the countryside. After discovering what they were all about Jeff decided he needed to be a part of the adventure and called Lonnie Isam to see if he could sign up. Unfortunately the roster was already set for the 2014 run so his name went on a waiting list. Jeff laughs when he tells about calling Lonnie incessantly and his surprise that, after being such a pest, Isam even bothered to answer the phone. Eventually someone dropped out and Jeff moved into their position in the lineup. It was on the sands of the Daytona Beach that he finally met the patient and smiling promoter face-to-face. “Lonnie was such a great guy,” Jeff shared.
Both Lauritsen’s Cannonball adventures have been wrought with drama as he’s struggled to get his motorcycle across the country with teammates. Winning is not important to Jeff; the adventure itself is what excites him. The ride got serious just a day away from crossing the finish line during the 2016 run when Lauritsen was involved in a traffic scrape that took his bike out of contention and required a trip to the hospital for him. He waves off any concerns when asked how badly he was hurt, but tells about friends helping him push his wounded 1916 Excelsior across the finish line on a dolly, since it wasn’t capable of rolling on its own.
For this year’s run Lauritsen has a different machine undergoing an overhaul and the bike’s completion is his only real concern. Cannonball alumni, racing and building veteran Fass Mikey Vils is currently wrenching on his 1914 Excelsior and Jeff’s a little concerned. Parts availability has been a serious issue since suppliers, machinists and craftsmen are all very busy working with other Cannonballers who are also frantically preparing for the fall adventure, but Jeff says he’s certain Vils will have it in tip-top shape in time to toe the line in Portland, Maine, come September. Vils is also signed up to tackle the run and is prepping his own machine as well.
“The Motorcycle Cannonball is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done,” Jeff beams as he shares that his wife and youngest of his three daughters will accompany him just as they have in the prior runs. “And they’re just as excited as I am.”
Original story apperaed at:
http://thunderpress.net/cannonball-characters/cannonball-characters-22-jeff-lauritsen/2018/02/08.htm
With two extra engine sprockets and my friend Mike Palrang by my side, it was practice time for the 2018 Cannonball. The chosen route would include 800-plus miles and crossing the Colorado Continental Divide 14 times from Loveland Pass in the north to Cumbers and La Manga Pass in the south.
After the grueling challenge of the 2016 Cannonball, which included a perfect score of 3,306 miles, the 1914 HD was still running strong. So after a few California rides and minor adjustments to the inlet and exhaust tappet clearances, it was time to see the beautiful scenery of the Rockies. I’d failed the Monarch Pass on my solo run in 2010, though I went back a year later and just managed to get over the mountains on the second try. Consequentially, I felt the need to test the machine’s climbing ability, again.
And oh what a ride this was. The bike performed great. With a few carb adjustments along the way, it managed to make all the passes in great style. I installed a 12-tooth for the Northern route and we just made it to the top of Independence Pass. It was more challenging going back down with a single rear brake—-very slowly.
Of course I had the obligatory flat tyre. I’ve still not gotten accustomed to that experience, though I’ve had my fair share of flats. Sadly, we didn’t see very much wild life. The Northern route is more rugged, with lots of open granite faces and more traffic on the roads, but still great riding scenery.
The weather was wonderful, light gear only except for a couple quick thunderstorms. Approaching North Pass on the second day we experienced the breath-taking partial eclipse of the moon.
Overall, it was just an extraordinary ride and I’d recommend it for those who want a real challenge with the Rocky Mountains Continental Divide scenery as the ultimate reward. The Southern route just went into New Mexico with high altitude alpine meadows and cattle wandering about the roads, very beautiful and peaceful. The map tells it all.
The Cannonball has hosted a variety of antique motorcycling buffs from all around the world, including several riders from Europe. Ciro Nisi, an avid rider from Northern Italy, initially found out about the Motorcycle Cannonball through meetings with other local motorcycling friends. He became fascinated with the thought of tackling the exhilarating adventure and searched the Internet for more information. Eventually he found videos from the first Cannonball run in 2010 and by 2013 the enthusiastic rider decided he needed to be a part of the transcontinental expedition. He reached out to Lonnie to make plans and by the start of the 2014 race, Ciro and three of his biker friends had made their way to the starting line on the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida. It was the adventure of a lifetime. He returned again for the 2016 run and the cheerful, 53-year-old adventurist is planning for a third trip to America this September.
“From the first Cannonball, I fell in love with your country. I met great people and I made real friendships with all the staff and riders. All the participants have always helped me with the language and they have welcomed me like a brother,” Ciro shared. “My daughter came with me last time, and I hope she can come again this year.”
In each of his prior runs, Ciro has arrived stateside with a different motorcycle and will do so again this fall when he lines up in Portland, Maine, on a 1919 Harley-Davidson J Model. “Since I was 25 years old, I have collected old motorcycles from all over the world. I have had my unrestored J Model for five years, but it arrived in Europe in 1972.”
On his first Cannonball across the United States, the avid collector rode a 1924 Moto Guzzi from Florida to Washington. During the second expedition, the Cannonball’s 2016 Century Race, he conquered 2,374 miles across America on a 1912 Indian Single. The route took riders from New Jersey to California and for Ciro, many of the miles were on foot as he walked alongside his ancient machine during the more difficult terrain, which including miles of wretched weather when he was soaked to the bone during rain storms or sweating through the heat of the Western states. Still, the intrepid warrior soldiered on with a smile. We hope his 2018 adventure will be a bit less strenuous. With the additional seven years of modern technology with his 1919 Harley-Davidson, we anticipate a lot less walking in his future.
Story originally appeared on Thunderpress
http://thunderpress.net/cannonball-characters/cannonball-characters-102-ciro-nisi/2018/03/26.htm
Meet 2018 Motorcycle Cannonball Rider #64 Dave Currier from Fargo, ND.
Plan to attend the Twisted OZ Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet on Saturday April 7th at the Twisted Oz Museum in Augusta, KS. Motorcycle Cannonball will be there with a display of bikes and merchandise.
Preperations are well under way for everyone on the Motorcycle Cannonball!!! Take a quick look into “Team Norton” and see how they are preparing for the 2018 Motorcycle Cannonball where we will travel from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregan with over 100 pre 1928 Motorcycles.
#77 Richard Asprey
#115 Chris Parry
#116 Keith Martin
Every marque is welcome in the Cannonball, it’s just the vintage that changes. Here’s a unique bike from the 2014 endurance run…thank you for the footage Rebecca Cunningham ..
Motorcycle Cannonball to arrive in Las Vegas!!! That’s right, it is that time of year again!!
The 27th Annual Mecum Vintage and Antique Motorcycle auction will take place from Tuesday, January 23rd through Saturday, January 27th and is located at the South Pointe Hotel and Casino in the ever famous City of Sin.
It is reported that there will be over 1,500 collectible motorcycles that will cross the auction block this year, which is very impressive considering that there was a record breaking 940 machines last year. There are many pre 1930 motorcycles for sale–will we see any of them on the next Cannonball?
Motorcycle Cannonball will be set up among the other vendors in the main arena; we will have some of the latest and greatest Motorcycle Cannonball Merchandise for sale. Can’t make it to this event? Don’t worry, all merchandise is also available on our website at www.cannonballstore.com
On Friday night January 26th there will be a Motorcycle Cannonball Social for all past and present riders, support crews, staff, and volunteers. This will be held in the Silverado Lounge which is located on the main casino floor of the hotel. We will be gathering to socialize and get a group photo. Stay tuned for updates about this event on this blog….