Get collectibles at the AMA eBay store
Whether you are looking for collectible belt buckles, patches, pins or even books, the AMA eBay store has them.
Probably the most valuable of the offerings are the limited-edition belt buckles, including the ones created to commemorate the Harley-Davidson 2003 Centennial, the AMA Great Destinations Daytona 200 Centennial, the AMA Great Destinations Bonneville Salt Flats and the AMA Great Destinations Loretta Lynn Ranch.
The Loretta Lynn Ranch belt buckle, which is new and in its original felt box, is priced at $40. For several years the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., has been the center of the amateur motocross world every August. This AMA Great Destinations Commemorative buckle was produced in 2005.
The AMA Great Destinations Loretta Lynn Ranch commemorative pin, which is also new in its original felt box, is $6. That pin was produced in 2005.
Harley-Davidson fans will want to check out the Harley-Davidson Centennial buckle, key fob and pin set for $135.
And if you’ve ridden Route 66, or want to, the AMA Route 66 Commemorative pin at $15 would look great on your riding jacket or vest.
Also available, for $10, is a Vintage American Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation belt buckle that was made to commemorate the dedication of the Motorcycle Heritage Museum on Aug. 16, 1990, in Westerville Ohio.
The museum is now on the grounds of the AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio, so this buckle is truly a rare piece and won’t be remade.
The AMA began issuing commemorative pins and belt buckles in 1984 as a way for the AMA to honor notable anniversaries, landmarks and important places and events. But the practice actually has a long history with the AMA, going back to the 1920s.
During the early years of motorcycling, small gatherings of motorcyclists evolved into organized road-riding events. A “Good Fellowship Tour” held in 1913 in Milwaukee proved to be immensely popular with the riding public. Following the pattern of the Milwaukee tour, a Gypsy Tour was developed and promoted by the AMA’s precursor organizations.
Gypsy Tours were held on a single weekend throughout the country. They featured a ride to a scenic location for a picnic and various motorcycle competition events. There were often races, including hillclimbs, “Tourist Trophy” (TT) and dirt-track events, along with field meets involving such motorcycle games as slow races, stake races and plank riding.
In 1925, 212 individual Gypsy Tours were held on June 20 and 21. The Motorcycle & Bicycle Illustrated issue of March 19, 1925, states: “The Gypsy Tour idea originated eight or nine years ago, the object being to set a certain date… for an outing, where riders, dealers and everyone interested in motorcycles would tour to some convenient spot for a day’s sport and a real old-fashioned good time.”
The national organizing groups, and finally the AMA, produced souvenir items for participants in the Gypsy Tours. These items, including watch fobs, belt buckles and pins, have become prized items for collectors.
Check out the AMA eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/americanmotorcyclistassociation.