On this day, May 15, 1924. Motorcycle history
On this day in 1924 at a meeting in Cleveland, the directors of the M&ATA proposed to create the “American Motorcycle Association” as a division of the M&ATA. The new AMA would control rider registration and activities, issue sanctions for national events, and serve motorcycle industry members.
The registered M&ATA riders were transferred as AMA charter members, while individual AMA membership dues were set at $1 per year. The motorcycle industry was represented in the AMA in three membership classes: “Class A,” which included large motorcycle companies; “Class B,” which included supply and accessory companies; and “Class C,” which included motorcycle dealers.
The official ratification of the AMA became effective on August 1, and the first national event operated under an AMA sanction was most likely the second annual National Six Days Trial, held from August 25 through 30 in Ohio and adjacent states. This was a 1,400-mile endurance run that started and finished in Cleveland.
Membership growth wa s at the top of the early AMA’s list of priorities. As Parsons stated in the May 20, 1924, issue of Western Motorcyclist and Bicyclist: “Plans are under way to start membership contests and build up the AMA to a live and active fighting organization for the benefit of the motorcycle riders of America. Instead of the 10,000 members now registered with the M&ATA, it is expected that the AMA will have a membership of 50,000.”
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