1965 BMW Club of Southern California - 2-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1965 BMW Club of Southern California - 2-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
The tenure of single brand motorcycle clubs has been notori-
ously short. In the annals of motorcycle club history few have
survived mofe than a few years of precarious existence. Frowned
upon by some of the large corporations, the one-name club has
had to shift for itself in the face of pressures to conform to tradi-
tional patterns of organization and sponsorship.
The BMW Club of Southern California is an exception to the
general rule, and, instead of falling by the wayside, has increased
in stability and prestige. Members of this club take great pride
in their fine machines, and are anxious to create a favorable public
image. They ride by a code of ethics that permits no rowdiness nor
bizarre type of dress or costume, and encourages safe and lawful
conduct.
Formed in 1960, the present BMW Club is an outgrowth of
an earlier one that waxed and waned within a few months. Too
loosely organized and with indefinite goals, the original group
was fast disorganizing when new leadership stepped in to recruit
members and to establish simple but effective rules of operation.
Activities started rolling at once with well-planned regular motor-
cycle tours.
Several substantial citizens became affiliated at the start, and
it was only natural that Mel Porter, retired business executive
and former mayor of Avalon, Catalina Island, was elected presi-
dent. Mel had switched from expensive sport cars to BMW motor-
cycles. He loved the exhilarating thrill associated with riding a
fine machine on the highways, and his skill as an organizer and
leader helped keep the new club on the right track.
INCORPORATED
In 1961 the BMW Club was incorporated, adding to its stature
and its permability. It is set up to help other BMW enthusiasts
organize their own units or to affiliate with the Southern California
group as a parent club.
The BMW Club has no official nor semi-official tie-in with
the factory nor any motorcycle distributor. Herein lies much of
its strength — it is entirely self sufficient and self sustaining. Al-
though several BMW dealers are members they hold no office
nor are they elected to the board of directors. Their value as
members is important to the Club in helping to insure good and
fair mechanical service to other members and in serving on com-
mittees. Earl Flanders, Western Distributor of BMW's, is chair-
man of the technical committee. Earl advises freely in technical
matters, and keeps club members posted on improvements and
modifications taking place.
Unlike most clubs the BMW group does not sponsor com-
petitive events nor large runs involving riders outside their unit.
They do hold events which begin or terminate with a ride to a
historical point or an interesting section of California. Scheduled
monthly, each event has a trails committee in charge and a trail
boss. Some rides end with a meeting at a restaurant or a mem-
ber’s home, others, of the week-end variety feature an over-night
camp out.
13835-AL-6504-04