Behind almost every classic motorcycle there is a community of people who know it. They keep the production records, the parts lists, the list of what usually fails and the knowledge of where a spare can be found. Joining the right club is one of the cheapest steps in classic ownership, and often the most useful.
What a club gives you
- Technical knowledge. Members who have owned your model for decades. A question on a forum can save a week of work.
- Parts. Many clubs run a spares scheme with reproduction parts or hold a register of who owns what. See finding parts.
- Documents. Production records and dating certificates, useful for registration and for proving age. See papers and proof of ownership.
- Events. Rides, shows and rallies, where you meet people and see bikes in the metal.
- Insurance and discounts. Some clubs and federations negotiate classic insurance and deals for members.
- A voice. Federations represent owners before governments, which matters when rules on age, tax or emissions zones change.
National federations
- Netherlands: FEHAC. The Federatie Historische Automobiel- en Motorfietsclubs describes itself as representing 233 member clubs and organisations and around 56,000 owners of historic road vehicles. It is the Dutch FIVA national authority, which includes FIVA ID cards, and it works on tax and rules.
- Belgium: BEHVA. A non-profit federation for vehicle enthusiasts with memberships for individuals, clubs and professionals. Its website covers technical inspection, registration, taxes and low emission zones in the Belgian regions, and it lobbies at national, regional and European level. See the Belgian rules.
- Germany: DEUVET. Bundesverband Oldtimer-Youngtimer e.V., the federal association of German classic and youngtimer clubs since 1976, which represents owners to the government and the EU. See the German rules.
- United Kingdom: FBHVC. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, established in 1988. It says it works with the DVLA and the Department for Transport, and it is the UK's official authority for FIVA Identity Cards and dating certificates. See the UK rules.
- France: FFVE. The Fédération Française des Véhicules d'Époque, the national federation. It issues dating attestations needed for the collection registration. See the French rules.
- Italy: ASI. The Automotoclub Storico Italiano, founded in 1966, which says it represents more than 350 federated clubs and entities and serves as Italy's national authority affiliated with FIVA. It certifies historic vehicles.
FIVA keeps a list of national members: see the FIVA page on the FIVA card and the Turin Charter.
An example of a make-independent club: the VMCC
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club in the UK was founded in 1946 and has more than 10,000 members. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in motorcycles more than 25 years old, and you do not even need to own one. It runs regional sections, events including the Banbury Run, a spares library and factory records, and it offers dating certificates.
Marque and model clubs
Almost every make has its own club, and many models have a smaller club or a forum. A national federation can usually point you to the club for your make. Look for:
- an active magazine or website with recent posts,
- a spares scheme or a register,
- a technical contact for your model,
- events near you.
Join before you buy
The best moment to join is before you buy a bike. Club members can tell you what to look for, what the usual price is, and may even know the specific bike. Ask the club to look at a bike you are considering, or to recommend an inspector: see the pre-purchase inspection.
