Bob,
I think the reason that your plan has come up against such negative response is that your original announcement had a divisive tone; intentional or not.
You said was that you were starting a web site that would be a resource for those of us that had a particular interest in British and French bikes. I can't see that raising any hackles.
It was the other (unnecessary) things that you said in your original announcement that have ruffled feathers and caused people to read between the lines and/or misinterpret your intentions.
Jamie Swan, Northport, N.Y.