American Motorcycle Accessories history

They received help from an engineer by the name of Nicolaus Otto, who, in 1876, created the first-ever four-stroke internal combustion engine.

1881: Lucius Copeland (Arizona) created something similar, but years later.

1885: German partners Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Mayback created the first gas-powered combustion engine.

1894: A German company called Hildebrand & Wolfmuller became the first to create a factory production line to create these vehicles.

1895: Dedion-Buton, a Frenchman, introduced an innovative four-stroke engine that would catapult the production of the motorcycles.

The Orient was released in 1899 by a Massachusetts bicycle business named Waltham Manufacturing Company.

Indian began producing motorcycles in 1901.

On September 7, 1903, the FAM was officially formed during a meeting of 93 enthusiasts at a clubhouse in Brooklyn.

Among the earliest was the Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, formed in 1908 to represent and regulate the motorcycle manufacturers, accessory makers and distributors.

By 1910, leather skull caps, riding trousers and aircraft-spec goggles enhanced protection and injury prevention for racing motorcyclists, according to Bennetts.

1914: The first World War began, and European and American armies began to integrate motorcycles into the Army as a means of carrying messages to and from bases quickly.

On November 15, 1916, a similar organization, the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association, was founded.

So, although it was controlled by the motorcycle industry, the M&ATA Educational Committee and Competition Committee (which was a sub-committee of the Educational Committee) began registering riders and clubs and supporting motorcycle activities in 1919.

That path was followed and after five years of growth, the department was named the American Motorcycle Association on May 15, 1924.

In 1925, 212 individual Gypsy Tours were held on June 20 and 21.

The president of the M&ATA at that time, Jim Wright, hired a full-time secretary for the AMA in October 1928.

To combat this trend, in late 1933 the AMA Competition Committee created Class C, which called for the use of 45 c.i. (750cc) side-valve and 500cc overhead-valve machines based on stock production components.

The winner of the first national club contest was the Fritzie Roamers Club of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1934.

Wearing head protection became a priority for motorcyclists after T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) died in a motorcycle accident in 1935.

Other key races in the early days of this class included the Daytona 200, first held on the old beach course in 1937, and the Laconia Classic in New Hampshire, which was already a popular annual event when Class C got its start.

1938 "Crocker" Birthday, anniversary, Motorcycle art, husband, dad, brother, groom, wedding, garage, office, nursery, decor.

Mid-1940's: American soldiers who fought in WWII, especially scouts and runners who became accustomed to motorcycles, came back home with a passion for two wheels.

In 1941, the British and the US Army made wearing crash helmets mandatory for military riders, and the tradition slowly took root among civilian motorcyclists.

The Motorcyclist existed as “An Official AMA Publication” through the end of 1942, when editor and AMA field representative Chet Billings left to join the war effort.

In January 1947 that was followed by the introduction of American Motorcycling, a monthly magazine offered to members for a fee over and above their membership dues.

Concern about the negative effect of exhaust “cutouts” led the Association to develop its “Muffler Mike” campaign in 1948 that invited members to take a pledge for quiet riding.

1951: Austrian company Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen (currently know as 'KTM') created its first prototype motorcycle.

1952: Suzuki became the first Japanese producer of motorcycles, which soon led to a ripple effect of high-quality bikes being created within the country.

The AMA responded in 1957 by temporarily changing direction and giving these events a new identity, along with a new name, AMA Tours.

1960: Kawasaki, soon to make waves in the racing industry (and debunk the 'unlucky green' myth) released their first bike.

In 1961, the AMA approved rules for a new form of racing called moto-cross.

The M&ATA later united with scooter trade representatives to become the MS&ATA. And in 1969, it merged with the West Coast Motorcycle Safety Council to form the Motorcycle Industry Council, which continues today.

The monthly title changed in July of 1970 to AMA News.

The AMA held the International Six Days Trial in 1973, and since, the United States has been the site of world-championships in road racing, motocross, observed trials and speedway racing.

Then, starting in July 1976, the decision was made to send AMA News to all members as a part of their member-benefit package.

In September of 1977, the evolution of the magazine was complete with one more change in the name.

To enlist the aid of AMA members in this effort, the Legislative Supporter Program was initiated in 1978.

At first, motorcycle riders used simple leather padding at the knees, elbows, and shoulders; Dainese invented the first back protector as late as 1979, taking inspiration from a lobster shell and using rigid interlocking plates to protect the rider’s back.

1980's: Honda and Kawasaki become the first companies to showcase motorcycles that have electronic fuel injection systems.

Tax regulations and budgetary constraints, however, prevented the AMA from developing any concrete plans for a museum until 1981, when AMA Executive Director Lin Kuchler studied the museum idea, assisted by Ed Youngblood, then serving as the Association’s director of government relations.

A major milestone was reached in late 1982 when the IRS granted the AMHF tax-exempt status as a public-education foundation.

The first fund-raising program by the AMHF, in 1983, involved the sale of commemorative envelopes bearing motorcycle stamps for a $10 contribution.

To support these efforts, Kuchler was appointed director of resources of the AMHF in March 1984.

On November 10, 1985, at an AMHF fund-raising dinner in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the celebration of the centennial of motorcycling, trustees announced that the museum would be located at the AMA’s headquarters in Ohio.

Also in 1989, two full-time staff positions were developed for the AMHF.

1990's: After a large dip in the motorcycle market, the Baby Boomers dive back into riding, and the industry experiences a surge in motorcycle sales, which encouraged brands like BMW, Ducati, Aprilia, and Triumph, to make a comeback.

In 1993, another important milestone was reached when, for the first time, AMA membership topped 200,000.

The company was founded in 1994.

In 1997, the AMA took a step into a new form of communication with the development of World Wide Web site on the Internet.

In December 1998, the Motorcycle Heritage Museum shut down in Westerville with the AMA’s move out of that office building.

In June 1999, a new 26,000-square-foot facility, to be known as the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, opened at the AMA’s new location in Pickerington, Ohio.

While membership is one measure of the AMA’s strength, the association’s diverse member base allows it to advocate on behalf of the estimated 25 million (according to the 2008 Motorcycle Industry Council owner survey) on- and off-road motorcyclists in America.

2009: The world was gifted with the first hybrid motorcycle, the Eko Vehicle's ET-120, which sold in India.

In 2011, Polaris acquired Indian Motorcycle.

2013: Polaris announced the resurrection of one of the first American motorcycle brands, Indian.

By the 2014 season, the AMA-branded road racing series being run by DMG was in a difficult place, however.

In 2015, the KRAVE Group operated the first season of its MotoAmerica professional road racing series sanctioned by the AMA and FIM North America, the North American FIM Continental Union that includes the AMA and the Canadian Motorcycle Association.

The most notable features from their 2017 lineup were the updated and redesigned electronic systems, bulletproof transmission and largest motor thus far on the chassis of a Big Dog motorcycle.

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