History of the Lone Star Section

By Dave Hartner

Our Founder

The section was founded in 1997 by Allan Johncock. Allan was born in Port Augusta, South Australia in 1942, and moved to Baytown, Texas in 1964. A brilliant engineer, he co-founded Tri-Sen Systems which developed control systems for gas steam turbines.

Allan retired at age 50. During a trip back to Australia he found a 1938 BSA, which reignited the love for British bikes from his teenage years and started his collection of vintage motorcycles.

Allan was an avid rider and vintage racer. One of Allan and wife Debbie's favorite riding locations was the Texas Hill Country, which led them to open the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum in the small town of Vanderpool.

Allan passed away in November 2022.

Inception

According to Allan in a letter to Tim Kirker, Hon. Secretary of the VOC, it was Rose Phillip (Overseas Membership Secretary) who first suggested during a North American rally that Allan try to form a new section in Texas.

Some time in 1997 Allan sent out a letter to Vincent owners and enthusiasts, asking who would be interested in forming a Texas section of the Vincent Owners Club. Probably this was sent to members of the British Motorcycle Owners Club of Houston Texas, in which Allan was active, and others known to own a Vincent. Rose Phillip had also provided a list of VOC members in Texas.

In December 1997 Allan wrote a follow-up letter, saying "The response to my initial letter was very positive with most of those contacted indicating interest in a Lone Star VOC Section."

A kickoff event was organized for April 1998 in New Braunfels, Texas.

As a prospective section, our reports were now printed in MPH - in which Allan reported that "while turnout was not what I had hoped for", there was a consensus to move ahead with forming a section.

Another rally was scheduled for September 1998 in Vanderpool Texas. It was a success, with larger turnout this time as reported by Allan in MPH; this could be viewed as the first real Lone Star Section (prospective) rally.

At this point the initial membership had been settled, and included: Mike DeCesare, Bruce Graham, Charles Hamburger, Ron Henricksen, Fred Hoese, Bill Jenkins, Allan Johncock, Paul Kopyar, John Martin, Vin McMaster, Derryl Meisinger, Ray Morey, George Nance, Tony Temple, Milton Tepe, Curt Vincent, Bill Wally, Fred Wolf, Nigel Wright.

Four of these pioneers remain active Section members in 2025: Paul Kopyar, John Martin, Derryl Meisinger and Bill Wally.

Ratification

The process for becoming an official section of the VOC was not simple, nor clearly understood by those involved. Surviving documents indicate some confusion and frustration: (Jacqueline Bickerstaff was VOC Overseas Representative.)

In the end, due to the perseverance of all involved, the section was granted official status. Tim Kirker notified Allan in a letter dated March 1999, and the event was duly reported in the April 1999 issue of MPH:

"Which is a suitable point to congratulate the Lone Star Section (Texas) on officially joining the back pages of MPH, with Allan Johncock as the first Section Organiser. The motion to ratify the section was agreed unanimously by the GCM."

Early Section Rallies

The first official gathering of the ratified section was April 1999 in Austin TX. A highlight was a visit to the Herb Harris collection, which included the Rollie Free and Reg Dearden Vincents.

By 2001 the membership had grown to thirty, as listed in Allan's newsletter. Nine of these are still active Section members in 2025.

North American Rallies

The Section has also had the honor of hosting three North American Rallies over the years:

October 2002 - Kerrville TX

This rally featured Vincent legend Marty Dickerson as guest of honor. Marty was reunited with his "Blue Bike" which he had ridden to racing success in years past. He shared an engaging account of his experiences as a sales representative for Vincent, going from town to town and beating the locals soundly in street races. Allan and Deb Johncock led the rally organizing effort.

August 2008 - Idaho Springs CO

Prime movers behind this rally were Peter & Mickey Allen, Section members residing in Colorado. The venue was high in the Rocky Mountains, home to some of the finest motorcycle roads in the world. Highlights included rides to Mount Evans and Rocky Mountain National Park, a bike show in historic mining town Central City, rides on a narrow-gauge railroad and Vincent Amanda rides in a local reservoir. Terry Prince from Australia impressed attendees with his streamlined Vincent racing outfit.

May 2018 - Kerrville TX

The second North American Rally held in Kerrville, this one featured group rides to the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, and to Luckenbach - a small semi-ghost town that's become an event venue, including for Willie Nelson's picnics. The hotel lobby featured an Indian Vincent, and the bike show was a success despite a spot of rain. Bev Bowen was the organizer, with help from wife Gail and Section volunteers.

Section Organizers

 

Allan Johncock, R.I.P.	John Martin	Bev Bowen, R.I.P.	Brian Rankin	Mark Scott

In addition to our founder Allan, Bev Bowen deserves special mention for his contributions to the Lone Star Section. He filled the Section Organizer role with great distinction for more than 15 of the section's 26 years. Bev's good cheer, limitless enthusiasm and devotion to the marque and to the Section will not be forgotten. Bev passed away in January 2022.

Today

The Lone Star Section has remained active since its early days. Unlike many sections whose members are located in a small area, we're spread out across the vastness of Texas - over twice the area of the entire United Kingdom. So there are no regular meetings, but each riding season several rallies are held. Mostly these are in the Texas Hill Country, featuring fine riding and a central location for easy access to members.

The Section roster is 45 members as of 2025, mostly Texans but with folks from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico and Tennessee - also Ireland and Mexico! In 2025 the Section will host the VOC North American Rally once again, in Kerrville TX.