49 MILES OF SAN FRANCISCO BY Pete Young and the Yerba Buena chapter of the AMCA

49 MILES OF SAN FRANCISCO BY Pete Young and the Yerba Buena chapter of the AMCA -, I am often asked "what's the best car?" My answer varies greatly, but over the past two decades in the automotive industry, I have come to the conclusion that European cars are superior. This does not mean I do not appreciate some Asian or American cars, but they do not compare with European car thrills techniques. American and Asian cars lose something that I think is more of a quality than a European car. this time we will discuss about49 MILES OF SAN FRANCISCO BY Pete Young and the Yerba Buena chapter of the AMCALets me talk it

Steve Brindmore and his Featherbed Commando, leaving our warehouse in the last industrial area of San Francisco

Automotive Wheel - 49 MILES OF SAN FRANCISCO BY Pete Young and the Yerba Buena chapter of the AMCA , Pete Young and the Yerba Buena chapter of the AMCA host the annual 49-Mile Ride on the last Sunday of October, which is open to all pre-1975 motorcycles, and is regularly swarmed with over 300 bikes of all makes and configurations. I was on the first 9 editions of the 49-Mile, but missed a few while abroad - it's always great fun to confound automotive traffic in SF, although a few times I reflected on the unfortunate 'New York Incident' while hordes of bikers maneuvered around cars; honks and fingers were occasionally exchanged, but no trouble ensued.

Chris Bonk and his original-paint 1951 MV Agusta 125cc two-stroke

The polyglot nature of the bikes present is what makes this ride special; mopeds, scooters, pre-War, military, Choppers, Cafe Racers, Britbikes, Italian 70s hotrods, Japanese 60s two-strokes, literally everything under the sun. Everyone rides an old motorcycle, and that's good enough.

At the meeting point, the Bayview Boat Club (pointedly NOT a yacht club), a lovely ca.1978 Ducati 900SS

I discussed the 'club scene' with one attendee, who's invested much time over the years in the BSA Owner's Club. He lamented that 95% of the bikes riding the 49-Mile Ride would not be welcome at a BSA Club ride, which I opined was an excellent way to ensure the death of one-make and Vintage clubs. The most popular and vital vintage motorcycle scene worldwide, and the one which attracts younger riders, is the broad spectrum of Custom bikes - Cafe Racers, Bobbers, Choppers, Street Trackers, etc. Plenty of Custom riders have 'stock' vintage bikes too, but who wants to hang around with old farts who look sideways at their cool creations? Food for thought.

A pair of BSAs, distinctly different cousins; an A65 chopper, and a B44 Victor Special

Enjoy this stop-motion tour of San Francisco, the photos are in order from the trip to my warehouse (Motopia) and back; I'll point out touristy hightlights for those far away!

Wonderfully ratty Harley Knucklehead

A buyer's choice of redness; Benelli (Motobi), Puch Grand Prix, Moto Guzzi Falcone Tourismo

An interesting pair of Bobbers; Knucklehead and Trophy

Hanging out with Max Schaaf, vintage chopper revivalist with his blog 4Q Conditioning (Kim Young photo)

Host club Yerba Buena M/C provided the legal release forms and prepared the food!

Lots of Street Trackers, like this Triumph, and the Rickman behind

Lovely old Matchless G80

Honda CB750 in front of a Chevrolet Impala, just like the one I grew up in!

This young man has earned his imperious visage, riding a Simplex around the parking lot

Most 'CB' Hondas are now accepted into the AMCA under the 35 year rule...

We're off!! More Hondas, this time a rare (for the US) 'Black Bomber' CB450 in original paint

Crossing the 3rd St drawbridge, right beside the Giants' baseball stadium downtown

Beside the ballpark...

Heading along the Embarcadero, towards the Bay Bridge

This youngster was excited to see all the bikes ride by, and eager to be included by the SF Piers

The old Fire Station on the Embarcadero

The Ferry Building, which is now a shrine to fine foods

From left: Coit Tower, an 'F' Line vintage streetcar, a lovely Sunbeam with wicker sidecar, and the Piers where the America's Cup sailing races were recently centered