TONY BLAIN | amca-australia

TONY BLAIN

Tony Blain was the driving force behind the Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend, many other rallies and old bike events in Australia. He was a great personal friend to many of us, and an incredible friend to the vintage motorcycle movement generally. His passing will leave a void of immense proportions.

The family have asked that in memory of Tony donations are made to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, where Tony received such wonderful care and attention.

https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au/donations

The event continues in Tony's honour and our thoughts are always with Tony's wife Jamie, their son Tom and daughter Molly and all of Tony’s extended family and friends.

TONY FIRES UP THE RAT AT THE 2019 EVENT

I shared many a glass of red with Tony over the years of our friendship and enjoyed his company and counsel on many rides and events. We shared a love of the VL Harley Davidson and I can thank Tony for my nickname, VL Phill.

I bought my first VL in 1964 as it's second owner and without the generosity of Tony with both parts and advice it would not have been awarded a Senior award at the 2020 AMCA National in Bulli, Australia.

I was humbled when asked by Tony to join him on the board of the AMCA Australia and I am proud that I was able to be a small part in bringing Tony's vision to life.

Noice one Tony.

Rest peacefully my good friend.

VL Phill

TONY TALKS V MODEL

It is with great sadness that we received the news of Tony's passing yesterday. The Antique Motorcycle Club of America is immensely proud of Tony's accomplishment in establishing the AMCA Australia. The Bulli National Meet is one of the best organized and fan filled vintage motorcycle meets in the world and will live on as Tony's legacy.

Keith Kizer. Executive Director. Antique Motorcycle Club of America

I first met Tony Blain in the cornfields of Ohio at the AMCA national meet in Wauseon, USA. At first I thought he was on the hunt for old motorcycle parts as I was. I soon found out Tony was on a mission. The Australian Chapter had been approved for an International AMCA Meet and it was scheduled a little more than a year away. And would I be interested in "coming over" to represent the AMCA as its Chief Judge? I then realized through emails, telephone calls, and another face-to-face meeting that the mission Tony was on was a lifetime commitment to collecting and promoting antique motorcycles. And his passion was contagious! When I committed to help with the inaugural AMCA Meet in Bulli I was swept up in the whirlwind that was Tony. His standards of excellence, attention to detail, and the tenacity of a pit bull seemed to be matched by no other person in the antique motorcycle industry. I was told Tony requested a Board Meeting for next years show be held in his hospital room, just days before his passing. That simple act sums up the legacy of Tony Blain.

Don Dzurick. Chief Judge. Antique Motorcycle Club of America