News / Stories

Max Middelbosch and His American Motorcycle Museum

Keith Kizer and Kim Middelbosch | Published on 8/17/2025

Photos by Kim Middelbosch and Keith Kizer

This May, I had the great fortune to visit AMCA’s European Chapter National Meet in Raalte, Netherlands, for the second time. The 2019 meet was an exciting departure from any swap meet I had ever attended. Thanks to the owner of the motorcycle museum, which serves as the event’s venue, this unique meet has doubled in size since its inception as the club’s first International meet in 2014.

It is the weekly attraction of this venue that separates it from any other national meet. Every Saturday, just outside the barnshop of the American Motorcycle Museum in Raalte, you’ll find Max Middelbosch (born 1947) sitting on his "throne” (a trusty mobility scooter). Collector, builder, trader, adventurer, and above all, storyteller. Around him: coffee mugs, engine parts, piles of motorcycle magazines, and a rotating cast of visitors looking to buy, swap, or simply chat.

It’s a place of easy conversation, good humor, rich stories, and the unmistakable scent of motor oil. Mornings start with coffee, followed by his wife Ans’ homemade chicken soup for lunch, and a cold beer at the end of the day. Kids stand in awe. Adults linger. The museum experience begins right here - on the doorstep.

Fast forward to the 2025 European National Meet. In my attempt to do a one-on-one interview with Max, I soon realized I was experiencing a scene from The Godfather. As Max and I attempted to have a conversation at his throne, an endless parade of friends, family, and fans of the Vito Corleone of the Netherlands was a constant interruption. What became instantly apparent was to sit back and take in the importance of the moment when the metaphorical kissing of the ring took place.

In the workshop at the back of the museum, the tools are still in use every week. No rush, no noise - just patience, precision and decades of knowledge. The regular mechanics are all getting on in years: grey hair, blackened hands, bright eyes. Appie, the only paid staff member, is now 89. This summer, he’s taking his first-ever break. “Retire? Nah. What would I do? Start doing puzzles?”

The American Motorcycle Museum Director Max Middelbosch in front of his barnshop

Max holding court with one of many in the line to pay homage to him throughout the day

Max's shop where all the magic happens

Max on his all familiar scooter

Max has enjoyed a life full of adventure, centered around and focused on motorcycling. In the late ‘80s, he formed a vintage race team and competed across Europe and even Daytona. In the early ‘90s he purchased and campaigned a “Wall of Death” show that he purchased from South Africa.

In 1987, Max founded the ‘Vintage Racing Team’ with some friends, first riding Harley-Davidson JD’s, later switching to WL’s - mostly because JD parts kept breaking and became increasingly hard to find. He raced across Europe and even at Daytona Beach.

In the early 1990s he took the ‘Wall of Death’ show on the road: a huge wooden barrel, bought from in South Africa, complete with three shipping containers and ten old Indian 101 Scouts. Max assembled a team of bold riders himself. It was pure Max — no frills, just go.

A photo of a poster hanging in the museum of Max and his son Jarno

Max's racing team featured on the cover of Bigtwin magazine in 1988

The South African Wall of Death, including ten Indian 101 Scouts

With his wife, Ans, the two ran a furniture shop and interior design business and eventually built the museum and an adjacent hotel in his signature building style, known as ‘Drakentoren style,’ which is defined by old wood, salvaged materials, and a deep sense of soul. He designed and built not only the museum, but also the adjacent Hotel Inn Salland. A place where every detail fits - from timber beams to the warm atmosphere.

As part of the AMM Complex, the Hotel Inn Salland is a cozy hotel with comfortable rooms, meeting and co-working spaces, and a brasserie offering a delicious menu and great cocktails in their restaurant.

Max said, “Building the museum was as politically difficult as some in the local city council fought establishing a motorcycle museum.” He said they envisioned biker gangs disrupting their quiet little town of Raalte. However, with their charm and persistence, the town officials eventually came to understand the clientele that would flock to their town. Today, the AMM is the town’s main attraction.

The view of the hotel to the left and museum to the right as seen during the 2025 AMCA European National Meet

While many of the machines on display in the museum are priceless, none of them are for sale. “The ones with a story stay,” Max says with a smile. Now in his late seventies and facing health challenges, Max is at peace. “I started with nothing, and look at it now. I’ve lived full throttle.” He pauses, then adds: “If my children ever take over - in any way at all - one thing’s certain: the love for adventure runs in their veins. They’ve had a great kick-start, growing up with open roads and open minds.”

Three children -Kim, Eva and Jarno- and eight grandchildren later, they’re still enjoying life together. And they all live by the motto to always fuel your adventures.

And the love for motorcycles continues. This year, daughter Kim Middelbosch and her close friend Karelien van IJsseldijk (daughter of Max’s friend and fellow motorcycle collector Leo) rolled a 1939 Indian Sport Scout out of the museum. According to Max, “It was time she ran again” - the bike had stood still for over 40 years and Max has always believed that motorcycles are made to ride. And as for Karelien and Kim - well, they had one clear wish after visiting the Normandy Beach Race in 2023: to race an old Indian on the sand. So really, it was simple math.

They founded a beach racing team called The Petrol Heads - fueled by the AMMH. And -with the help of a loyal crew of friends and seasoned mechanics - including fellow Petrol Heads Peter Visser, Frank Souren and Harrie Laarman the 1939 Indian Sport Scout slowly came back to life.

Now, after months of wrenching, welding and waiting, the Sport Scout is nearly ready. Throughout the AMCA weekend, curious visitors wandered into the museum workshop to take a closer look — and more importantly, to listen. Because this old lady sounds eager to run.

In late August, the newly formed Petrol Heads Racing Team will take her to Denmark to compete at the legendary Rømø Motor Festival. Kim grins. “We’re ready for a proper Indian Summer.”

On July 6th of this year, the book ‘De bijzondere wereld van Max’ (The Remarkable World of Max) was released, capturing many of Max’s greatest adventures. For now, though, it is only available in Dutch. So, if you're after more stories, your best bet is still in person.

Come by on a Saturday. Have a coffee. Listen. And if Max points at something and says, “That one has a story…” - clear your afternoon. You’re in for a ride.

Want to visit or see more from the American Motorcycle Museum? Follow along on Instagram or Facebook: @american.motorcycle.museum

Since 2014, the museum has hosted the International AMCA Meet Europe.

The next edition is already on the horizon: May 15/16, 2026, as always during Ascension weekend, with a fitting Art Deco theme.

American Motorcycle Museum Holland
Zwolsestraat 63C, Raalte | www.ammh.nl | info@ammh.nl | +31 (0)613 941 851 | Instagram & Facebook: @american.motorcycle.museum

Opening Hours:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 11:00–17:00. Also open on Easter, King’s Day, Ascension Day and Pentecost. Closed on Christmas (Dec 25–26) and New Year’s Day. Group visits by appointment (20+ people). Entry: €5 per person.

Events
Twice a year, the AMMH hosts a Swapmeet: once during Ascension weekend, organized by the Antique Motorcycle Club of America and again on the last weekend of September to celebrate Max’s birthday. Expect original parts, vintage bikes, live music, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe.

Below are various Middlebosch photos

How it all started...

Willie 'G' family and Middelbosch family

Max and Ans in front of their tent at the 1972 Poland-Rally

One of the antique Harley adventures in Swaziland

Below are various photos by Keith Kizer during the 2025 European National Meet

Kim Middelbosch playing the role of freelance photographer. Behind her and to her left is the European Chapter's new President, Cees Visser

Vendor spaces at Raalte. The museum sets up all the vendor tables and tents. It's like an indoor event; outside. Most unique of all swap meets in the world.

Tunnel of vendors

Some of the motorcycles being judged on Saturday

Steve Slocombe working a deal at his swap meet space

Enlarged images of downstairs of the museum

Enlarged images of upstairs of the museum

Raalte National Meet Banquet with incoming President Cees Visser speaking

Outgoing and Founder of the AMCA European Chapter, Steve Slocombe giving his farewell address

Each year more and more American AMCA members make the trip to Raalte due to the eclectic atmosphere and extraordinary swap meet experience. 95% of all motorcycles on display are American. The American flag proudly flies over the museum year-around. This is the place to see dozens of Century bikes on display, which many take part in the AMCA Judging program. This is a must see event.

Thanks to all the support of the European Chapter officers and members, Max, Kim and the entire museum and hotel staff for their hospitality.

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