AMERICAN IRON IN PRINT AND ONLINE
I’m told the average age of Harley riders climbs about a year every year, and that most of us are in our mid to late 40s. This means a lot of us grew up with computers in our lives and in our work -- at least for the last decade or so. We use the online and digital world, but unlike our kids, it isn’t the center of our universes.
The fact that you’re reading my words on a printed page that uses centuries-old technology tells me that we share a preference in how we read. I’ll take print over online any day. However, we’re living in a digital world, so, like many of us, I’m working hard trying to figure out how we can all benefit from it to share our passion for Harleys and other American V-twins. Now please don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge print enthusiast and can’t imagine American Iron Magazine not appearing in a traditional ink-and-paper format. But I’m starting to see the benefit of adding to the publication with a more interactive, online element.
Yes, it is a brave new world, and a number of my friends, who are more computer savvy than I, have been showing me the value of the Internet. Recognizing how powerful it is, we have been working hard for the better part of a year to figure out how we can all gain from it. And while this is still pretty new for us, we recognize the enormous possibilities. I consider our exploration of online opportunities like a great ride where you think you know where you’re heading, but have no idea what wonderful discoveries and side trips you can make, or where you might end up along the way.
We’re pleased with how the American Iron Magazine web site and forum have been growing, and invite you to visit us at
www.AIMag.com. The web site offers a brief recap of the current issue, as well as a growing archive of past articles from the magazine. It has a free, and growing, bulletin-board forum where you can deal directly with our staff and readers to share ideas, photos, and technical issues. The bulletin board also has a free calendar of events that you can read or add to. I was really excited when I heard one of our forum members had a technical problem with his Sportster’s cams and another member who lived nearby offered to come over and help him sort it out. Prior to this, these two guys didn’t know each other; they met on our bulletin board and, along with many other members who donated spare parts and other support, have brought back the old-fashioned, biker-family support we used to enjoy years ago. They sorted out this Sportster and gave the owner a better understanding of his bike. I’m hoping our board’s growing family can help each other even more over time. Very cool!
If you’re into classic American motorcycles and want a free and fun place to meet others with similar interest, check out our classic American iron bulletin-board forum at
www.CAIMag.com. This is not a web site, but strictly a bulletin board forum. We’re also involved in an exciting new venture, creating a free online motorcycle encyclopedia at
www.Motorcyclia.com. This is a wiki, which everyone with access to the Internet can read, and if you register, you can add to or edit it. The goal of this wiki is to build a comprehensive, growing, and free online source of motorcycle information. I invite everyone here to visit and help out. If you have a passion or extensive knowledge of some aspect of motorcycles -- say V-Rod engines, Crocker V-twins, or Triumph racers, we’d like you to add your information and photos. And please feel free to encourage others to visit and share too. The more detailed we get with this information, the more valuable it will be to us all.
The last online site I’d like to mention here is
www.GreaseRag.com, a commercial site that we use to sell various motorcycle items, including back issues of all our current and past magazines. If you’re looking for previous issues of American Iron Magazine, Hot XL, or Indian Illustrated, check it out. This site also sells American Iron Magazine shirts and caps, as well as Harley collectibles.
AMERICAN IRON BUYERS GUIDE
The new, 2008 version of American Iron Buyers Guide is on the newsstand now, and it’s chock full of all sorts of great new products to upgrade your Harley or other American V-twin. If you can’t find a copy locally, call Wanda at 203/425-8777 or order one online at
www.GreaseRag.com.
FOREIGN SUBSCRIBERS
Due to the staggering cost of delivering our magazines outside the US and Canada, we can no longer accept subscriptions without a US or Canadian address. I really am sorry about this, but it now costs us more than $10 per copy each month to print and ship American Iron Magazine subscriptions overseas. We will continue to sell newsstand copies worldwide.
Ride safe, ride smart, have fun.
Buzz Kanter
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
August 2008 
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