Earlier this year, a 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank motorcycle sold at auction for $930,000. Although the odds of winning the lottery are better than seeing the Strap Tank out and about, you are sure to see many examples of old Harleys, Indians, Vincents, Excelsior-Hendersons, and more during the Allegheny Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s National Road Run, June 12 to 14. Riders will be touring the beautiful back roads of Tioga and Potter counties during the first half of Laurel Festival week, and they look forward to having the wind in their hair and bugs in their beards.

The Antique Motorcycle Club of America was founded in 1954 by a group of antique bike fans in the New England area and can be found at antiquemotorcycle.org. The Allegheny Mountain Chapter, one of the eighty-five AMCA-affiliated chapters nationwide, includes members from Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. Most chapters plan events for members such as bike shows, swap meets, and antique motorcycle road runs such as the one scheduled for Tioga and Potter counties.

Attendees will check in at the Penn Wells Lodge on Sunday, June 11, the group’s host hotel. Riding days are Monday through Wednesday. Monday, June 12, bikers will ride by the Austin Dam, then through Renovo to Hyner View. The Tuesday, June 13, ride will take them through Blossburg, Salladasburg, Waterville, and Slate Run. Bike enthusiasts can enjoy the Antique Motorcycle Show from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that evening. Riders will display their cycles on Pearl and Charles Streets by the Green in Wellsboro and be on hand to talk to people about them. There will also be an ice cream social, featuring Main Street Creamery’s homemade ice cream to purchase, and a free concert, also on the Green. The Wednesday, June 14, ride will include a tour of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon’s West Rim and a loop up to Tioga-Hammond Lakes.

“A total of 130 antique motorcycles have registered for the Wellsboro event,” says coordinator Jim Graulty. “Our event is at capacity, with 160 registrants—130 riders and thirty passengers coming from twelve states and Canada. The majority of our members ride Harley-Davidsons, but we welcome all brands. Registered for our event are mainly Harleys from 1921 to the early 1980s, with most from the 1950s and 1960s.

Next are Indians from 1937 to 1948, followed by some BMWs from the ’60s and ’70s. Also registered are British bikes, a Triumph from the ’70s, and a BSA from the ’60s.”

These folks’ rides are very near and dear to their hearts, so if you see a “gray beard” and his lady standing by their “scooter,” take a moment to quiz and ponder. They are very proud of their motorcycles, so prepare yourself for the possibility of having your ears talked off.