A Compiled History of ABATE of Oregon
The information in the following pages was taken from old newsletters and other documents in the files of ABATE of Oregon. In some places, there was no written record of a particular time span. In those cases, things were filled in by picking the brains of Brian Stovall, Terry Humpherys, Rotten Roger Hendricks, and myself. Dates may be a little off In places, but we tried to capture the flavor and main events of each year of ABATE's existence from August 1975 to June 1982.
I regret that there is neither time nor space to give each Individual the credit he or she deserves for their devotion and dedication to ABATE of Oregon. There have been so many who have given great chunks of their lives to this cause, that it would take a book in itself to try to give an accounting of them all.
The things that ABATE has done so far, were accomplished because you and people like you wrote letters -- LOTS OF LETTERS -- and renewed your memberships even though you hadn't seen a newletter In months, and supported ABATE fund-raising events, and talked your friends into doing all those things, too. All in all. If the next seven years hold as much growth and enthusiasm as the last seven, the State of Oregon Is in for some big changes!
LET THOSE WHO RIDE, DECIDE!
Letter from Luke Metcalfe, ABATE of Oregon Chairman - 1975
Well, we did It and after sitting on our duffs around here all these years, we finally got into the battle. A far cry from the past when on a couple occasions, 32 or 57 people made a strike at the mandatory helmet law: 500 motorcycles rode In one pack to the Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, Sunday, September 21. What a sight!It all sort of began a few weeks ago in the Oregon State Penitentiary at a meeting of the Screaming Eagles M/C. (Oregon being one of the few states allowing such social activities, a story by Itself.) This seemed to be the one place several clubs come together. Well, one night an Idea struck someone: let's start doing something about adverse motorcycle legislation besides sniveling! We decided our best bet would be to coordinate with an established, wide-spread organization: ABATE. On August 22, an attorney who is helping us. Don Chambers, my lady Nancy Christopher, and myself, went to Salem and Incorporated ABATE of Oregon - a non-profit organization to deal with bummer bike laws.
We will be meeting once a month, but have been meeting once a week up 'til now to get the job done. We had our first meeting August 26th and wasted little time electing a Board of Directors and stating our aims, getting down to serious business: having a protest rally. Ron Bohnstedt, of Salem, found us a spot, the Polk County Fairgrounds, 10 miles from Salem. We put our $150 down for the rent and went about getting the rest of It together: beer, food, permits, etc. Oh Boy!! Did we run into a wall! A certain person with the Oregon State Police ain't for real--l hope. He said they'd be there, but not to help, and several words leading us to believe that without his blessings the Oregon Liquor Control Commission would Issue no permits. The OLCC In turn put pressure on the tavern that was going to provide the food and beer. The Polk County Sheriff's Office was little help. Every attempt to contact them resulted in anyone who knew anything, could tell us anything, or do anything were always "out". Far Out! In the meantime, we've put out flyers to every shop, friend, club, loner, and organization we could find in the state. Some situation! All of a sudden, we're falling on our butt the first time out.
Giving up ain't our game. On the 10th of September, we located some Bureau of Land Management property, nailed It down on the 12th, and we we're back in business. Keep In mind that now we have but one week to go and nothing but a park. Well, we'd been making contacts all along, so all it really took was some full-time hard work. We put out more flyers, got radio announcements, contacted everyone we could again, and decided we could station some people at the fairgrounds with new maps to hand out to those showing up there. At the worst, they had to ride 42 more miles down a good road on a nice day. Easy one.
Emile's Fine Mobile Foods provided a trailer unit stocked with soft drinks, corn on the cob, hamburgers, etc. A couple of clubs brought beer and we took1 up a collection for more. No one went hungry or thirsty.
In Portland, we assembled Saturday morning at B.C. Choppers on 82nd Avenue. We putted out at 10:30, some 200 strong and enjoyed a fine ride to Elkhorn, some 70 miles with our helmets and headlights on and no hassles, no tickets. Beautiful!
Elhorn Recreation Site is a beautiful spot for any get-together, the BLM furnished a couple truckloads of wood, there was water, a river, lots of trees; what else could you desire that you couldn't bring yourself.
Motorcycles and people kept coming in all day. Motorcycles from all over; I saw license plates from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Colorado, Arizona, and Wisconsin. There was plenty of food and beer and one damn good party. The only real hitch was that something happened to the band and the music never did show up. While a good party was had by all, we wanted that microphone and we had Wade Knutson to give a talk on safety, Mr. Chambers to speak to us about the law, and of course, I had a handful I wanted to say.
After a few hours of sleep, we managed to get the place cleaned up, and by word of mouth passed on the ride-to-the-Capitol plan. At 11:00, we rode out; some 500 motorcycles, 700 people. We maintained 45 mph in one nice tight pack using our own traffic controllers. WHAT A SIGHT! At one point you come down a grade Into a 2-mile straghtaway; looking back, I couldn't see the end of that snake. I mean it blew my mind!
We rode our predetermined route, arriving at the Capitol Building right on schedule. Standing on the steps, I thought the scooters would never quit coming.
Well, it's not an election year, and we haven't attracted much attention yet in some areas, so there weren't any government people there and not much media coverage, so everyone sat on and around the steps and listened to me rap a few words about ABATE, where we are at and where we are going. Everyone seemed to be pretty together.
Good responses from the clubs. They were, in alphabetical order: Brother Speed, (Ore., Ida.), Choosy Beggars (Ore.), Devils Disciples (Nomads), Free Souls (ore.. Wash.), Friends of the Highway (Ore.), Gypsy Jokers (USA), Outsiders (Ore., Wash.), Society's Saints (Ore.), Screaming Eagles (OSP), and the Shifters (Wash.).
Luke Metcalfe
Chairman, ABATE of Oregon
September 22, 1975
Local chapters will have meetings at their convenience to discuss new
developments and to plan courses of action on problem items. The meetings
will be generally informal In nature and devoted basically to motorcyclists
problems. Some guidelines follow:
1. Each chapter will be Issued a charter from ABATE of Oregon. This will provide the proper credentials, for whatever involvement is deemed necessary.
2. Local chapters will act as separate entities and will be self-sufficient in most respects. ABATE membership cards will be issued after the local chapter sends the money and application forms to the main office of ABATE. We will maintain a record of both new and renewal memberships.
3. Chapters are I encouraged to conduct events or whatever is deemed appropriate to raise funds. This will offset the expenses of their stationery, postage, and telephone charges. Chapters will be able to make full use of the monthly newsletter for any advertising or area chapter needs.
4. Area chapters, once established, will allow for regular meetings and In the process will educate bikers in our goals and organize them as well.
5. One of the major goals of area coordinators and chapters Is to recruit new members. We must unite in sufficient numbers to be HEARD at the State Capitol In Salem.
6. NO ONE WILL BE REFUSED MEMBERSHIP IN ABATE OF OREGON!!
1. Each chapter will be Issued a charter from ABATE of Oregon. This will provide the proper credentials, for whatever involvement is deemed necessary.
2. Local chapters will act as separate entities and will be self-sufficient in most respects. ABATE membership cards will be issued after the local chapter sends the money and application forms to the main office of ABATE. We will maintain a record of both new and renewal memberships.
3. Chapters are I encouraged to conduct events or whatever is deemed appropriate to raise funds. This will offset the expenses of their stationery, postage, and telephone charges. Chapters will be able to make full use of the monthly newsletter for any advertising or area chapter needs.
4. Area chapters, once established, will allow for regular meetings and In the process will educate bikers in our goals and organize them as well.
5. One of the major goals of area coordinators and chapters Is to recruit new members. We must unite in sufficient numbers to be HEARD at the State Capitol In Salem.
6. NO ONE WILL BE REFUSED MEMBERSHIP IN ABATE OF OREGON!!
A 1975 prediction of things to come:
WANTED: ABATE AREA COORDINATORSABATE of Oregon has grown in the past year and shall continue. However, we must avoid becoming too centralized; we must reach throughout the state to be really effective. One proven way to further our growth Is to establish area chapters with the purpose of establishing "grass roots" involvement by motorcyclists in their own local areas.
Examples would be attendance at City Council meetings on matters of local Interest to motorcyclists. City and County governments pay much more attention to the residents of their own area than they do to "outside interests." Area Coordinators can actively undertake the establishing of ABATE chapters in his or her area.
These chapters can become very effective in influencing the legislative votes of both our state and federal representatives. All motorcycle enthusiasts are encouraged to take an active part In the development of such chapters.