Our History
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The complicated history of the British Iron Association, Mass. Chapter (Mass. BIA) is tricky indeed – somewhat like tuning a dual carb. Everyone has their way of doing it. Of telling it. Of owning it. The following account is a mix of truth and myth and legend – British bench racing at its definitive best.
In 1980, founder Jaye Strait set about in the hills of central Massachusetts to form an all-British motorcycling organization, ‘sharp-edged, yet open ended’. It wouldn’t be a small local club, but an organization open to all. It would be for the mutual aid of owners and dedicated British dealers. It would be non-profit; all monies earned being channeled back to aid the members one way or another. At the center of the concept, 0f course, are the machines themselves, ‘Dedicated to preserve and promote the British Motorcycle’ says it all. The Mass. BIA was formally established in 1981. It was initially a national association run from an office at the Jefferson Mills Complex in Holden, MA. The Association produced its first newsletter Road Noise, Volume 1 Number 1 in November 1982. |
Living in the 80’s: The motley crew of the Mass. BIA.
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In the spring of 1982, Jaye and Dawn Sawyer single-handedly organized, promoted, and ran the May meet at the Mohawk Ramblers clubhouse in Turners Falls, MA. Shortly after the spring meet, a charter meeting was held; officers were selected, and a fall meet was planned. There was a service clinic, a valve-grinding clinic, and a table selling donated parts at the meet, all at minimal cost to members.
The focus in the 80’s was to promote and expand the chapter (which was a splinter of a more national BIA according to legend). Shows were held at the parking lot of “Randy’s” on route 140 in Boylston and at the Shrewsbury Sportsman Club on route 140 - over 160 people at the gate that first day. Meetings of the fledgling chapter occurred regularly at the 300 block of Lancaster Road in West Boylston, MA, where 10 to 20 individuals would gather and discuss things like riding, riding, and where to ride to get some food. (The current logo was created at one of these meetings, deviating from the crossed wrench and piston of the national group, going to a more classic look of the shield and ribbons.)
The first organized rides took place after these meetings to such venues as Captain Bob’s or the 140 Inn. The first Sunday ride was the Wachusett Run in August 1990 and attracted over 25 riders. It remains the oldest and largest continuous Mass. BIA event.
With the resigning of previous officers in January 1987, a committee of BIA representatives from NH, CT, and MA volunteered to run the BIA until it could be re-organized. The Jefferson Mills office was given up to save money. In October 1987 it was voted to turn the National BIA operation over to Massachusetts members – or rather it was turned over to Randy Wilson of Boylston, MA. Randy’s cycle shop became a center of BIA activity with its parts, service, and information. Shows were held at that location. The re-organized BIA, Mass. Chapter bought the National Charter from Randy in the early 90's for $300.
The 1990’s and 2000’s saw a growing national interest in British bikes – the club increased to its largest membership and continued to hold two major shows a year, mostly at the Singletary Rod & Gun Club in Oxford, MA. The monthly meetings located at the Sunderland Community Hall in Shrewsbury, MA were moved to the American Legion Hall in West Boylston, MA, where they are held to this day.
The Mass BIA continues to run at full steam decades later, with a dozen rides every year, family events, and one big spring meet that draws thousands of British bike enthusiasts from all over the region, where the love and dedication to British iron is evident.
So whether or not this account is entirely true, the Mass. BIA continues to preserve the British bike for future generations of motorcycle enthusiasts. That being said, get off that bench – AND RIDE!
The focus in the 80’s was to promote and expand the chapter (which was a splinter of a more national BIA according to legend). Shows were held at the parking lot of “Randy’s” on route 140 in Boylston and at the Shrewsbury Sportsman Club on route 140 - over 160 people at the gate that first day. Meetings of the fledgling chapter occurred regularly at the 300 block of Lancaster Road in West Boylston, MA, where 10 to 20 individuals would gather and discuss things like riding, riding, and where to ride to get some food. (The current logo was created at one of these meetings, deviating from the crossed wrench and piston of the national group, going to a more classic look of the shield and ribbons.)
The first organized rides took place after these meetings to such venues as Captain Bob’s or the 140 Inn. The first Sunday ride was the Wachusett Run in August 1990 and attracted over 25 riders. It remains the oldest and largest continuous Mass. BIA event.
With the resigning of previous officers in January 1987, a committee of BIA representatives from NH, CT, and MA volunteered to run the BIA until it could be re-organized. The Jefferson Mills office was given up to save money. In October 1987 it was voted to turn the National BIA operation over to Massachusetts members – or rather it was turned over to Randy Wilson of Boylston, MA. Randy’s cycle shop became a center of BIA activity with its parts, service, and information. Shows were held at that location. The re-organized BIA, Mass. Chapter bought the National Charter from Randy in the early 90's for $300.
The 1990’s and 2000’s saw a growing national interest in British bikes – the club increased to its largest membership and continued to hold two major shows a year, mostly at the Singletary Rod & Gun Club in Oxford, MA. The monthly meetings located at the Sunderland Community Hall in Shrewsbury, MA were moved to the American Legion Hall in West Boylston, MA, where they are held to this day.
The Mass BIA continues to run at full steam decades later, with a dozen rides every year, family events, and one big spring meet that draws thousands of British bike enthusiasts from all over the region, where the love and dedication to British iron is evident.
So whether or not this account is entirely true, the Mass. BIA continues to preserve the British bike for future generations of motorcycle enthusiasts. That being said, get off that bench – AND RIDE!
Past Show Flyers
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