2019 American Motorcyclist Association Annual Report — AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors the men and women who have influenced the growth and development of America’s motorcycle culture. Its members come from all walks of life but share a commonality: In some way, they have changed the trajectory of motorcycling in America and, in some cases, beyond. They are the fastest racers, brightest minds, hardest workers and most influential promoters in our history. This excellence is on display at the museum that houses the Hall of Fame on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio.
Q – What is the purpose of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame?
A – The Hall of Fame’s purpose is to collect, record, preserve and honor the events, motorcycles and people who define the spirit of motorcycling in America and to educate people about that rich history.
The nonprofit American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation raises funds to support the Hall of Fame. The mission of the AMHF is to cultivate, secure and perpetuate funding for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Q – Where is the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame?
A – The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio. There is no admission for AMA members. More information, including days/hours of operation, can be found at americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame.
Q – What will I see when I visit the Hall of Fame?
A – The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Main Hall: The main floor of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, the heroes of the track, road, trails and halls of government who have elevated the sport to new heights. Now featuring the 2019 inductees.
Founder’s Hall: Honoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s generous contributors.
The Birth of a Hurricane: How AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Craig Vetter reimagined BSA for an American market.
Sam Swope: Philanthropist, Motorcyclist: Motorcycles that represent the generous, charitable giving of Sam Swope.
Lords of the Board Track: Board track racing was one of the earliest formal motorcycle-racing disciplines. It featured man and machine speeding around a simple wooden track while huge crowds cheered them on. Learn why this form of racing dropped from sight almost as quickly as it emerged. Learn about the racers who dared to compete in this exhilarating sport and watch a video of actual racing from 1921.
Q — Does the Hall of Fame offer any special activities?
A — Yes. The Hall of Fame stages Bike Night in the spring and fall, offering motorcyclists and other community members a chance to tour the museum, participate in bike shows and other activities, hear good music and buy food and drink on the AMA campus.
Q – How many members are in the Hall of Fame?
A – The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame has 466 members, inducted between 1999 and 2019.
• The Class of 2019: Mark Buckner, Kurt Caselli, Ron Lechien, Wiltz Wagner, Dale Walksler
• Hall of Famers who passed away in 2019: Jerry Branch, Clark Collins, Peter Fonda, Dick Klamfoth, Arlen Ness, Gene Romero, Ed Waldheim
• Biographies of Hall of Fame members can be viewed at motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame.
Q – How are men and women inducted into the Hall of Fame?
A – Each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame welcomes new members at an induction ceremony. To learn about the current class, past inductees, as well as the induction process and annual ceremony, go to americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame.
Each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Ohio brings together motorcycling legends, industry leaders, enthusiasts from across the country to honor the new inductees. The ceremony is followed by a well-attended installation at the museum itself.
The 2019 KTM AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held Dec. 7 at the Hilton Downtown Columbus.
Q – How can I contribute to the Hall of Fame?
A – In 2019, 824 individuals and organizations donated funds to support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Donate today at amagive.org.
There are many ways to contribute!
From motorcycles to memorabilia, each year the museum acquires new pieces of motorcycling history in America. In 2019, we added, among other things, Hall of Famer Wiltz Wagner’s Bultaco, Hall of Famer Brad Andres’ 1955 Daytona Harley-Davidson shirt, a Honda CB750 and a CB900 and a series of racing programs and journals dating from 1902-1908.
Q – How does the AMA support the Hall of Fame?
A – The AMA organizes numerous activities and events and provides staffing to support the Hall of Fame.
• Each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Raffle offers chances to win one or more motorcycles to encourage donations to the charity.
• Every July, tens of thousands attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Lexington, Ohio. The event includes vintage racing, the country’s largest motorcycle swap meet, seminars, stars from the sport’s past and present, bike shows, demo rides and more. Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
• Late each year, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inducts a new class of members. The staff of the AMA, in addition to a team of volunteers and advisers, supports the induction process, plans the ceremony and raises money to produce the event.