Judging Tips and Clarification
These tips are in part from the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) Judging training seminars and can be very valuable to both judges and participants

Included here are Judging Guidelines, Storyboards, and a sample score sheet.

 

Ultimate Standard is: Did it look like that when it rolled off the assembly line?
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1)     Select the best 4 or 5 bikes in each category to spend your time on and fill out the 100-point judging sheet on those bikes first, then the rest.  The first place bike establishes the maximum points you will award in any given class. All remaining bikes will receive fewer points.
2)     Restored and CLEAN original bikes will be judged together. Original bikes should have minimal wear and tear and have no dirt, grease or oil above what it took to ride the bike to the show (if it was).  My favorite place to check is under the fenders, chain guard and bottom of motor and frame.
3)     Owner provided “Story Boards” describing the bike history and restoration process are valuable to both the judges and spectators.
4)     Some Notes and Advice on the Individual categories in the 100 point sheets
  • Originality- This is the biggie.  This separates the real restorations from the art objects of affection.  Here is where we get to look for CP 1038 bolts, incorrect color on the motor, and too much polish on the rocker boxes and cases.  The acid test is: Did it look like that when it rolled off the assembly line?
  • Engine & Transmission- Blue on the pipes is OK, bike should run, check with owner to verify.  Are the carbs and spark plugs correct?
  • Wheels & Tires- Stainless steel spokes are OK (should glass bead blast to simulate Cad plating).  Verify tires are correct.  Normal tire wear on correct tires for original non restored bikes is OK
  • Paint- Scratches are OK on original bikes.  This is a good place to check for clear coat where it either should or should not be. Early bikes were brushed and color sanded.  Early spray and baked finishes (HD in the 40’s to 60’s were baked enamel) had light to moderate orange peel.  Black was not a full gloss.
  • Plating- Verify cad, chrome, parkerize (some folks will mistakenly paint Parkerized parts).
  • Electrical- Check for correct period cloth covered wire and connectors.  Verify correct switches and lighting.
  • Completeness- Are all of the instruments, foot pegs and standard accessories included?
  • Controls- Correct levers, throttle, ignition and brake parts?
  • Cleanliness - I always like to check the underside of the fenders, chain guard and motor and frame. Are they clean or is there grease, dirt, etc.  Owners needs to present a clean machine for display and judging.

 

STORYBOARDS

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A storyboard is a very valuable tool that allows the owner  to share with others the effort you put into their project.  A storyboard is simply a poster board, picture frame or anything that contains photos and text with information on the history and restoration data of the motorcycle.  The purpose of the board is to both inform the spectators at the show as to the particulars of the project, and most importantly, the judges as to the authenticity of the restoration.  The board can be a 18” X 24” or 24” X 36” poster board or picture frame containing text and pictures and placed in front of or beside the motorcycle.  A quick and effective way of creating easily readable text is to use Microsoft’s PowerPoint computer program to tell your story and create information in 20 to 24 point text to print and paste onto the board to tell your story.
As an example, on one of my storyboards, I cited the various references that I used to gather information to identify the correctness of the project;  Magazine articles, sales literature, factory manuals, etc. I even stated that I located one or more original and unmolested examples to identify the proper markings (unmarked, CP 1038, etc.) and finish (cadmium or Parkerize) on bolts, nuts and washers, wiring colors, cable and harness locations, finish on brackets, springs, decal placement, etc. I listed the various NOS parts I used in the completion of the project.  I also described how I used a commercial “enamel baking” firm, to paint the frame, swing arm, oil tank, etc. to duplicate the original factory processes, with paint color matched to the factory paint. 
All of this information is to educate the spectators and judges as to the authenticity of your project.  Most importantly, you probably know more about your project and are more qualified to speak its correctness that the judges are.  Don’t be bashful.  Make the most of your knowledge and the opportunity to win by creating and displaying a storyboard next to your motorcycle.  Like Tom Peters said in his landmark book on excellent American companies, “If you don’t toot your own horn, some one will turn it into a spittoon”.

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