CINCINNATI CAVALIERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB

Back in the early and middle 1920's motorcycle riders congregated in the neighborhoods of Race and Green Streets. In those days there were motorcycle stores and repair shops for Excelsior, Thor, Indian, Pope and Harley Davidson all along those two streets. There cycle riders would gather and exchange ideas and spin tales the same as they do today.

The largest motorcycle store back then was the Indian dealership of Ray Hummel and John Mast. This partnership dissolved in the year 1925 and a dealership for the Harley Davidson Motorcycle was formed by John Mast at 1410 Race Street in 1925. As business increased John Mast soon had to employ a young man by the name of Raymond Konkler. Soon Ray Konkler was thinking about organizing motorcycle riders. They had their meeting place on Stark Street off the old canal that later was made into Central Parkway as we know it today. The Harley Davidson Factory soon was demanding that their dealers organize clubs in their respective territories.

Interest was shown by the Harley Davidson dealer John Mast and his employee Ray Konkler more so than before. So with much enthusiasm Ray Konkler started to select a few men who he thought would be interested in forming a motorcycle club. After much planning and effort to organize a club, it was decided that a meeting would be held on March 25, 1938 at the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Store, 1924 Central Parkway. At this first meeting there were seven men present. The following men were elected to serve as officers of the club. They were:

Mike Klein                    President

Charles Wasser         Vice President

Jack Meyers                Treasurer

George Alcoke            Secretary

They would remain in office until the club would decide to elect new officers.

The agenda for the first meeting was mostly to rephrase the Constitution and decide what amount the initiation fee would be. The decision was that the fee would be five dollars, with one dollar of the initiation fee for A.M.A membership. Or if an applicant was already an A.M.A member the fee would be four dollars. At this meeting, April 8, 1938 was chosen as the date for a general open meeting for all motorcycle riders. The purpose of this meeting was to explain the aims of this club to all riders, and to invite them to join. Prior to this first meeting a suggestion of names were made, and the one chosen at this meeting was the name "CINCINNATI CAVALIERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB". Attending the meeting on April 8 were five members and twenty five guests.

A decision was made that all men who wanted to be a charter member would have to be a dues paying member, in good standing, by the deadline of May 6, 1938. After this date no one but members would be allowed to attend any meeting.

Soon the club was progressing with club and motorcycle activities. Rides were held. Gypsy tours were planned for the summer months and were held at Coney Island Amusement Park. An A.M.A Sanction was applied for but was refused because the club was not an A.M.A. Club. This matter was brought before the membership and a charter was applied for and was received with number 533 from the A.M.A. in May of 1938. A letter from the management of Coney Island was received granting permission for a gypsy tour. A date of June 26, 1938 was chosen for the first Tri-State Gypsy Tour. Soon after this first big event the membership wanted uniforms. But the club, growing in size, soon had everyone in disagreement over type and color. It was finally agreed that White Sweaters with Vee Necks and Crimson lettering would be the uniform adopted.

           Soon the club officers began to think about incorporating the club. Incorporation papers were applied for from the State of Ohio and soon were drawn up with the name "CINCINNATI CAVALIERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, Inc." chosen.

The three persons serving as trustees were Mike Klein, John Mast and Ray Konkler. They would serve until elected trustees could be elected at the first meeting of the newly formed club. The articles of incorporation were applied for on July 22, 1938 and were filed in Hamilton County on July 29, 1938.

As the summer months came the club was rolling in high gear. The membership increased to twenty members. The third Friday night of each month was set aside as "Ladies Night" which was enjoyed by both men and women. Closed field meets and rides were held with much preparation being made by all of the club members. At the first meeting, in the month of June, two new offices were added to the roster of the club. Namely a Road Captain and assistant Road Captain. These two offices were to be held only for three months.

The next big event the club was planning was a T.T. Race, Field Event and Picnic. After much discussion and planning for two months the membership voted to hold this race meet. With concessions operated by the wives of the members, and all work pertaining to racing to be handled by the members. The admission to be charged for spectators would be 25 cents per person, with 10 cents going to the owner of the field. The date set for the event was to be August 7, 1938.

With this first race, which proved to be a success, a 1 STAR T.T. race was set for September 25, 1938. This second event proved to be a financial success also. The profit for this event showed to be .12 which was a good sum of money back in those days.

As the club progressed, the membership asked Ray Konkler to get a list of various parades and civic functions that the club might participate in. With this new thought of riding in parades, it brought a question as to what kind of caps to wear with their newly selected uniforms. After much discussion, whenever uniforms are involved, they finally decided on white caps. Soon an initiation ceremony was worked out for all newly inducted members, followed by a pledge that was taken by the new members. It is regrettable that this pledge was mislaid, or lost, as it took many long hours of work to write. This pledge was for the betterment of the club, and the member taking the oath. It soon was beginning to come into the autumn days when everyone knew that the riding season was soon coming to an end.

A Halloween party was planned and held with a financial loss of .58. The membership decided to make up for the loss with a turkey run to be held Sunday morning November 20, 1938, over all types of road surfaces. Unfortunately the records do not show if the loss of the party was overcome with this Turkey run. The winner of the run was not made known either.

After a most successful first year, under the guidance of Mike Klein and Ray Konkler, the club closed its activity contest December 1, 1938, with the winners to be announced at the second meeting which was December 16, 1938. Also a letter was received from A.C. Smith, secretary of the A.M.A., congratulating the club for having a successful year. The club closed its first year with a balance of .56 in its treasury.

The club started the year of 1939 with 24 members listed on its roster. The most important business conducted during the winter months was the selection of new uniforms. This business was debated pro and con for the good part of the early 1939 year with no definite action taken. The idea of a club emblem was also discussed. The emblem was finally designed by club member George Alcoke in the latter part of 1939. In the early months of 1939 the membership decided to promote a hill climb. A date of April 16, 1939 was selected. Also a letter was received from a Mr. E.G. Bitner, of The American Legion, asking the club to participate in the Emergency Corps. Requirements for the corps required adequate training in first aid and we were also to act as escorts for parades.

Next, the nominating committee of Konkler, Ohe, and Finlekmeier presented two tickets, one red and one blue, to the club for their choice of new officers of the club for 1939. Back then the only elected officers were President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The season was completed with Road Runs, Hill Climbs and Parades.

One of the outstanding events of the club, for the year 1939, was winning 10th place in the National Championship Club Contest. A feat worthwhile indeed for a newly organized club.

In 1940 the club received their new green and gold uniforms and a picture was taken with the safety award banner they had earned for riding the year without a chargeable accident. The club won a first place at the Charity Newsies Race Meet in Columbus, Ohio for the best dressed club in uniform. Back before World War II there would be 10 to 12 clubs competing for prizes at this race event.

During the war years the club continued but it was not very active. Most all of the club members answered their country's call to colors. Those that remained behind helped by having informal meetings and writing to the men who were in the services.

After the war most of the members came home and the club started to function with some new, but mostly old, members who still liked to ride and enjoy fellowship in a great sport. The first thing they did to renew old acquaintances was to sponsor a dance which was held at the Norwood Eagles Hall in Norwood, Ohio. Jim Berwanger's Band was hired. Club member Charles Wilhelm, being a member of the band, contributed his salary to the club for his share of the contribution.

The big promotion made by this club after the war was the race meet held at Carthage Fair Grounds in August of 1947. The membership worked long and hard to put this race on. It was their first try. Aided by Ray Konkler. He made contacts with certain influential people in town. One of the largest crowds ever to come into the fair grounds to witness a race was there that day.

After a very bad mishap occurred the promotion of a race for the next year was canceled. With a good profit made from this race the club voted to have new uniforms made. A committee was appointed and soon each member was fitted individually for a new blue and gray uniform, complete with cap.

After the public got a glimpse of these new uniforms the club was soon contacted to ride in more parades. With the good publicity they were getting they were contacted to participate in other civic functions. Namely polio drives, cancer research drives, and civil defense programs. They appeared on television with a great many television stars. The club soon was back to its normal membership of 20 to 25 members. It was decided to hold this number for the betterment of the club, and to keep most disagreements to a minimum. All new members were investigated very thoroughly by an investigating committee who performed their duties very well. The club soon decided that it would be fitting to hold a Christmas Party and in 1947 the first Christmas party was held in Price Hill.

These parties are still traditionally held for the members, wives and girl friends. These dances have been held annually with the exception of one or two since 1946.

Around 1950 the club was requested to move its club rooms from the second floor of Ray Konkler's store. This was because of the city fire laws banning meeting rooms with wood floors and combustible items stored there. This led to a committee being appointed for the purpose of looking for ground to be had for a club house, and possibly a field to be used for short track T.T. Racing.

The club operated from the G.A.R. Hall for several years and then was notified that they would have to vacate because the building would be taken over by a wholesale pickle factory.

The club then obtained for its meeting rooms a private dining area at the Hitching Post Restaurant on Glenway Avenue in Price Hill. There was no fee charged for this room, but it was asked that the membership would eat a sandwich or other food there to compensate for the use of the room.

The club conducted their meetings from this location until it was decided that a more central location should be found. The club then moved its meeting place to a private room on the second floor of the Union Terminal.

By now the club was getting a few invitations to be in parades that were being held in the neighborhood communities. The most outstanding parade was the Norwood Centennial Parade. A flat bed truck was obtained from a local truck dealer through the efforts of Ray Konkler. The truck was decorated in full dress at club member Bob Jacob's garage. Walt and Ceil Backherms, Al Jacobs, and Bob Jacobs were the people on the float. Backherms dressed in an old style policeman's uniform, his wife dressed in an old dress and duster, with Al Jacobs mounted on an old 1911 motorcycle being chased by the policeman. A full turnout of the other members were there to ride their motorcycles behind this float. This was a very impressive looking group.

It was soon time again to argue about uniforms. It was voted on that white shirts would be used with the club's name on the back and the club members name on the front above the pocket. Black pants, Black tie, and black boots, would constitute a full dress uniform. A photographer was engaged shortly after they all had new uniforms, and a picture was taken on the steps of the Union Terminal.

The club continued to have their activities, such as poker runs, field meets and closed club rides.

When the management of Union Terminal said it would charge the club rent and raise the prices on beer and soft drinks the club decided to look elsewhere for a meeting place. The next location the club had their meetings was the Norwood Eagles Club House. The hall rent was only .00 and the drinks were at a normal price. A committee of one was appointed for each meeting to handle the refreshments. The entertainment committee that was appointed from time to time always had movies, bingo, or a guest speaker. Or some other form of entertainment.