SEATTLE – Alan J. Moore died unexpectedly from a heart attack at his home in Seattle, Washington, on June 15, 2022. Alan was born on March 16, 1955, in Kingsville, Texas, son of Paul and Marie (LaMontagne) Moore. Born into a Navy family, he also lived in Virginia and Rhode Island before his family moved to Maine, where he graduated from Waterville High School. Alan was a man of many talents and interests. He had a BS degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Western Washington University and worked for several corporations throughout his life. Al enjoyed archery, kayaking, scuba-diving, fencing, playing the accordion, snow skiing, and reading books on a variety of topics. His true passion in life, however, was vintage motorcycles, working on, riding, and racing them. He was well-known in the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts (VME) organization based in Seattle. VME’s 1995 July/August publication featured Al in the Vintage People section and on the cover. The article, written by fellow rider L.C. Smith, captures Al almost perfectly and slightly edited excerpts from this article – with permission from VME, provide a fitting tribute to his life:

There’s a fine line, it is said, between madness and genius. And Alan Moore is a walkin’ talkin’, wise-crackin’, motocross-racin’ example of just how fine a line it is. Al – who looked like a cross between Bob Dylan and Rasputin was an unreconstructed, unapologetic, vintage-motorcycle maniac. He was not one of those collect ‘em and keep ‘em shiny–in-the garage types. He was one of those fall-in-love-with-‘em-and-ride-the-heck-out-of-‘em types. Al Moore had a brilliant mind and the quickest of wits. He was a delight to be with – except when he was cranky. If you love vintage bikes, you gotta love Al. He was a total aficionado who knew a whole lot about a whole lot of motorcycles. Alan taught himself to ride motorcycles, clandestinely, while still a high school student. He’d steal his older brother’s 66 Royal Enfield Interceptor while his brother was at work. Ultimately, Al was found out and got pounded out.

Al started seriously collecting motorcycles around 1990. He owned many bikes over the years, but his favorites were a ’70 Norton Commando Fastback, a 57 AJS 500 Scrambler, a Ducati 250 Scrambler, an Aermacchi street bike, and a Honda 200 dirt trail bike. He was also the proud owner of a ’51 Vincent Comet, a ’53 BSA A-10 Golden Flash, and a ’64 Triumph Tiger Cub. Alan began racing earnestly in 1994, and won VME’s “People’s Choice of the Year” award. In 1995, Al won first place in the pre-70 Amateur on his ’57 AJS and took high points for Woodland Motocross Park’s 1995 season. And he didn’t have to win to enjoy a race. His motto: “I know I’m going to come in somewhere between first and last place and I don’t care where.”

Al did win, though; he collected over 35 trophies and plaques, for first, second, third places, and was still racing until a few years ago.

He was much loved by his family and will be sadly missed by his brother, Chris Moore and wife Jane; sister Kathy Moore and husband Bob Nardi; sister Janine Moore; niece Erica Humphrey and husband Jon; and nephews Paul and Jackson Moore.

Al was predeceased by his longtime friend, Linda Ziobbi.

The family expresses their appreciation for the assistance of Seattle friends, Ross Poitras and Les of Less Car Shop, during a difficult time.

A celebration of life (with motorcycles) will be held at a later date.

Copy the Story Link