FROM WICKED WILLY’S CHOPPER SHOP TO THE WHEELS THROUGH TIME: CYCLE SOURCE’S GYPSY TOUR POURS ON THE MILES, SMILES AND FUN!

May 18th, 2010. Rolling out of bed, it’s hard not to notice the steely gray of the clouds blocking out the sun. The dips in the pavement are filled with water from last night’s rain. Although the party isn’t until six PM tonight, I’m anxious to strap the bags to the fender and be gone. I decided a couple of weeks ago, I will be at Wicked Willy’s Pre-Gypsy Ride Party. It is the first biker party of the year for me. In fact it’s been several years since I had attended a party. I’m a wet blanket for the most part at parties…so I just don’t normally go. But this party held the promise of something else, something different. I wanted to go.

I was on my packed bike heading east into North Carolina, looking for roads that I hadn’t been on, to take me to Taylorsville, NC. OK, that’s almost impossible to do. While I hadn’t ever been to Taylorsville, the general direction to get there forced me to partake of several roads I had traveled on last year. All the same, I managed to leave the state of Tennessee without getting very wet. Once I got over the mountain and into North Carolina the clouds were basically stopped or slowed to a crawl by the low mountain peaks.

I meandered through North Carolina, slipping down this roadway and turning around when it ended in someone’s driveway: turning around to find another small two lane country road heading in a similar direction as me. I found the adventure stimulating. Its fun to explore, and I didn’t have to be anywhere for several hours. Eventually I found my way into the driveway of Wicked Willy’s Choppers. I was the 1st to arrive even though I had done my best to get lost and found.

IMAGE CAPTION: WICKED WILLY’S GARAGE

Wayne (the proprietor of Wicked Willy’s), was working on a chopper when I arrived. I walked into the shop and introduced myself to the guys gathered about a chopper on a lift. It turns out; this party is also the un-veiling celebration for this very good looking Yamaha Chopper. I learned Chris from Cycle Source was coming to photograph it for a layout in his magazine. I have some really great photos of this bike, but I can’t show them until the bike premiers in Cycle Source. I promised….

IMAGE CAPTION: THE BIKES ARE ROLLING IN

I’ve set my tent up in the yard where suggested. It was dry and under a tree. I was in front of the band stand by about half a football field. It was perfect. How strange though, to be standing in a chopper shop and many of the people who came to visit, to party, and to congratulate the builder rode all different models and brands of motorcycles. Everyone was comfortable at Wicked Willy’s!

This is the next “long distance” bike to come in. I fell in love with it. Classic. The owner (Wes) rode in from Missouri. I walked around it taking pictures, I really liked this EVO.

IMAGE CAPTION:Long Distance EVO

IMAGE CAPTION: EVO and DIE

Before long the parking lot was filling up with locals, all there to help celebrate with Wayne his newest Chopper.

IMAGE CAPTION: THE PARKING LOT IS FILLING UP

There were many bikes there either built by Wayne, or was on the road because of Wayne’s help. For instance, there is this trike that Wayne put together for a buddy. I wonder why I only got this much of the bike? Kick my ass sometimes.

IMAGE CAPTION: TRIKE BUILT AT WICKED WILLY’S

IMAGE CAPTION: Trike owner and friends

As the sun was setting, the grill was lit, the band fired up and the party was in full swing. Chris and Michael Lichner arrived, and very soon everyone was eating, drinking, and having fun. Did I mention the police blocked off the road? It was a true block party. We had the full co-operation of the town and the police. The Bar-B-Q was so damn good. Amazing how hamburgers and hot dogs can be so tasty after a long ride, and good company with fantastic conversation. I was lying on my air mattress, cozy under my sleeping bag by midnight. I slept like a dead one. I needed the rest. Ah man it felt good.

The next morning found many of the guests rousing from sleeping under the stars. We stirred about the shop, rubbing sleep from our eyes, packing our tents and bags, preparing for the ride to TillEy’s Harley Davidson. It’s my understanding it is only 30 miles from Taylorsville. How come we traveled 90 miles? HA! And we were late on arrival to Tilly’s too! It’s all good, I’m just glad my 2 gallon gas tank didn’t leave me high and dry before we arrived at Tilly’s. I fueled up, the tank took 1.8 gallons. Whew! So glad I got my carb fixed last year!

IMAGE CAPTION: THE GROUP WAITING FOR US AT TILLEY’S

When we pulled into Tilley’s we had a contingent of about 30 riders. Pulling into the parking lot, there were somewhere around 45 or 50 more riders waiting for us! After a brief layover at Tilly’s, Michael Lichner gave us the lowdown on what he expected from us as we traveled with him and his cameras. I couldn’t believe I was getting the opportunity to watch Michael Lichner, the great photographer at work. I am an idol worshiper.

As I’m walking into the dealership for the “rest facilities” I lock eyes with a woman who appears to recognize me. I had to go…but when I came back out, JoAnne Bortles came up and introduced herself to me. I was so happy to meet her at last. JoAnne is the owner of Crazy Horse Paint Shop. The fantastic painter of all things cool, beautiful or artistic on your tins and fenders!

IMAGE CAPTION: JoAnne Bortles

Before we leave Tilley’s parking lot, JoAnne is inducted to lead the motley group of about 90 bikes through hills and dales, over mountains and through townies. She did a very good job. The group was so large; many broke up into splinter groups. We were able to catch up with each other at gas stops. Chris loaded Michael facing backward on the bagger he was riding, and the two of them rode the inside lane, photographing the line as we charged up next to Chris and the bagger, following the hand signals given us by Michael (move forward, slip back, come closer left, move further right.)

How do I explain how comfortable it was to ride beside the Rock of Gibraltar of motorcycle operators? This man was dead steady through every turn keeping his line true and predictable as we rode wheel to wheel: the bagger’s rear wheel equal with our front wheels. It was, and still is an experience unequal to any other I’ve experienced. Riding like this on two lane mountain twisty roads rushing along between 30 and 55 miles an hour was an exploit that gave me the big time grins. These roads, these speeds, these people with whom I was privileged to share the roads with, still make me smile with pure pleasure. Almost better than sex, oh hell, who am I kidding, I think its right up there with sex, and it lasts longer too.

IMAGE CAPTION: CHRIS, MICHALE AND THE BAGGER

Eventually, as the sun was sitting low on the horizon our group pulled into The Wheels Through Time Museum. In the parking lot of WTT was a medium sized contingent of riders. I figure about 60 riders were waiting for us as we pulled in. Our group arrived finding a great strip of grass next to a babbling creek. Those of us who planned to camp unloaded our tents and equipment and set about our task of making a home for the evening.

IMAGE CAPTION: MY SPORTSTER AND TENT…

We soon learned Matt and Dale Walksler, had ordered a HUGE amount of pizzas to feed the horde. There were a few of us who were looking for something a bit… meatier. We were advised of a nice restaurant a bit down the road. It was serving rib eye…potatoes…and…ahhh it was so good at $10.00 a plate. Some had so much meat on their plates they couldn’t eat it all. OOOOO….decadent stuff.

Upon our return to Wheels Through Time, the party was in full swing. The Walksler’s had decided to keep the museum open all night. Upstairs, in the lounge area movies of pioneering bikers was flickering on the TV. Outside, shadows of men and women were dancing against the ground and the walls of the outdoor fireplace pavilion.

Further from the building was a larger open fire pit where many more men and women were singing to a lone guitar player accompanied by someone on mini conga drums. The guys and gals were singing, imbibing and enjoying the camaraderie of their brothers and sisters. I slept like a baby once more this night. Those of us who had left out of Slick Willy’s to travel the Gypsy Tour had almost 300 miles under our belts this day.

IMAGE CAPTION: OUTDOOR PAVILION WITH STONE FIREPLACE

Here are a few of the bikes you will find inside the Wheels Through Time Museum. You’ve got to stop in here when you come to Maggie Valley!

IMAGE CAPTION: I’M DROOLING AT WTT

IMAGE CAPTION: IN LINE 4 HENDERSON

IMAGE CAPTION: WHAT MORE COULD THE CRAFTSMAN ASK FOR

Friends, this story is getting long. We still have to get up in the morning, get our group together and ride onto “THE DRAGON” at Deals Gap then further up into the mountains riding the Cherohala Skyway from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains, TN. A mile high amazing route over the Smokey Mountain passes. This road offers spectacular views and a technical ride from North Carolina to Tennessee. Stay tuned for part II, where “THE GYPSY RIDE” MEETS BIG MOUNTAIN RUN IN TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE!

In My Own Backyard....

Once again, I find myself pacing the LiL Girl in circles around my home town. Why? That's an easy question. My bike was ready to pick up from the shop. I had broken the drive belt over two weeks ago, dropped it off the same day, but they dawdled around fixing it until Sat. All right, I also asked them to change to fork oil in my bike. Turns out the parts were not available from HD, (WHAT?)FACTORY BACK ORDERED MY DUST CUPS! Then the parts department, rather than tell the service department there is a problem in Houston, just thought to let the B/O ride! I needed the bike to cover a first time bike event right here in Johnson City...yet I had no bike. Oh I was pissed. I gave Paul the parts man hell, told him I didn't care where he got the dust covers, "Just get the damn things." How hard can it be to have an open line of communication between the parts department, the service department and the customer? Oh bloody hell. Just get the fricken parts.

picking up my bike at service

Two weeks later, I come in to pick up my bike and Shannon (my favorite tech) is tweaking the last of the fork job. They bring me out my parts, yeowzia...the right fork I knew was damaged...because I had damaged it five years ago. Dented the dust cover by attaching something to my forks on the front fender. Dumb move. Never replicated again. I didn't fix it either. It was so bad...Shannon told me he couldn't believe the seal didn't leak. It just kept getting flatter and flatter. Smooching out and up the shaft. huh...why didn't I take a picture of that?

The service writer says my bike is becoming legend there at the shop. No one has ever seen a Sportster with over 150K on it before I guess. I just smile. She takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

IMAGE CAPTION: BROKEN DRIVE BELT ON SEAT


Ah well, water under the bridge now. Let's just lead Mom (my ride) back into Elizibethton and get the ride underway!

Passing by the Sycamore Shoals State Park, I notice there was a little hula baloo happening at the Watauga Fort. This State Park has a small fort replica depicting life at the Shoals in the early 1700's. I love these little hoop-la's they have during the summer. Encampments they are called. People from all over the region and beyond come to these re-enactments dressed in period clothing, work with period tools (iron smith, soap maker, rope maker...) and live the weekend as settlers and Native Americans would have during the early 1700's. It's really a fun thing to see! (I'll bet it's it's even better at night when they all get together and it's just them... no public eye!) Yes, these people seem to have it all!

Here is some of what I "captured" at the Fort.


IMAGE CAPTION: THE BOYS AT THE TAVERN


IMAGE CAPTION: THE SOAP MAKER


IMAGE CAPTION: THE BOYS RELAXING AROUND THE CABIN


IMAGE CAPTION: NATIVE AMERICAN MAIDEN


IMAGE CAPTION: FRESH TROUT FROM THE RIVER


IMAGE CAPTION: MAKING ROPE FROM HEMP


IMAGE CAPTION: LUNCH IS ALMOST READY

There is so much more to show you from the encampment, but to do so would mean you would have to miss out on the rest of my ride. So I'm leaving Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizibethton TN. off of SR-67, and I fix my wheel to take me back into Johnson City, catching SR-11E to Greenville, TN. I figure I would hit the Lilac Festival happening there. Before I got there, I passed through old downtown Jonesbrough, TN. This little burg is Tennessee's oldest incorporated town. As I'm rolling down the hill on the back road into Jonesbrough, I see one of those history markers up rise to my right. It's on a small one lane track road. I decide to turn around and check it out. Here we go... HUH... very interesting history, this old house has. Not to mention, the really OLD cemetery sitting next to it!


IMAGE CAPTION: BUILDING STARTED LIFE AS A FEMALE INSTITUTE.

After stopping to photograph the sign, I walked to the crest of the hill to enter the cemetery. Most of the headstones indicated the occupants of this place died more than 100 years ago. I will show you some of my favorite headstones!






IMAGE CAPTION: PLEASE, DON'T BURY ME UNDER THE SHADE TREE!


IMAGE CAPTION: a beautiful stone knocked off the pedestal





I leave Jonesbrough and I'm on my way to Greenville for the Lilac Festival. I don't know what I was expecting. It was a bit of a disappointment to me. It was a great festival I'm sure...as far as they go today. But I was hoping for more of a hometown flavor to it. Instead, there were professional vendors everywhere. The food vendors were selling Lemon Aide at $4.00 a glass. That's what you expect to pay at events like Daytona Bike Week. I am disgusted. They aren't even local vendors. Eventually, I found a Mennonite family making the lemon aide right in front of me. The girls all dressed in their sweet old fashioned and crisply iron dresses and their little starched white caps. The lemon aide was $2.00 a glass and it was REALLY good stuff.

I didn't hang out in Greenville too long. Too many people, too many disappointments. Too few local people showing their crafts wares, and it was danged hot to be walking around in my chaps. Time to go. No pictures taken here.

I turned my wheel back onto 11E once more. I've decided to explore SR-351 North. It's a road I noted on my way here. I thought it would be nice to ride it and see what was there to see. SR-351 is a nice farming country road. Cattle and grazing land for miles. Old barns, and early 20th century farm homes were the norm on this road. It was quieting after my time at the Lilac Fest. Unfortunately the road does not go on forever, it ends in a t and I'll be darned if I can remember what the road designation was from here. I just turned East, and rode till that road ended, and headed south east until I came to SR-81 North. It's time to go home.

The accident

A woman is driving through an intersection and gets into an accident with a biker. It's a pretty bad one. She claimed she didn't see him.

His bike is toast and her car is also hurt pretty badly. Amazingly neither of them is physically injured; just his leathers and her pride.

God works in mysterious ways.

After they get their wits about them, the biker starts cursing about people not watching out for motorcyclists.

Trying to lighten up his mood and the intense atmosphere the accident has created, the woman says, "WOW, just look at my car and your bike! So much damage but yet both you and I are completely unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days."

The biker replies, "Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God!

But you're still at fault. "

The woman continues, "And look at this, here's another miracle. My car's front end is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break.

Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune."

The biker nods his head in agreement, proceeds to take the wine from the woman, opens it for her and say's "Here, out of politeness, I'm going to let you have the first drink, even though you are still at fault".

The woman takes the bottle, drinks about half and hands it back to the man.

The biker puts the cap back on and the woman asks, "Aren't you having any?"

The biker replies, "No. I think I'll just wait for the police..."

“Wheels Through Time” A Rode Stop in Western North Carolina PART II

I last left you guys staring at the “SLANT” exhibit. The display is in honor of HILL CLIMBERS. What a fantastic sport that is! The guys and gals who climb these almost perpendicular slopes are amazing! Have you ever watched a competitive hill climb? Just a wholesome display of skill and luck….

IMAGE CAPTION: A LANE I LIKE TO CALL “MAIN STREET”:

I’m going to bring you back down the aisle we first started down. There is so much to see between the hill and the board racers. So much to write about, so much to snap pictures of in a hope of being able to capture the true FEELING of the exhibits. Not all the bikes between the board racers and the hill climbers are bikes of true note, that is unless you can FEEL the atmosphere being generated by the souls of these machines: grouped together to form a short story. A story left unfinished, left for you to pick up the strings and carry with you. You won’t always have a guide with you when you walk these ghost filled aisles. So it’s up to you to take the time to really look at the display, to read the documentation that goes with it, to actually SEE the photographic history lying at the wheels of the display. It’s up to us to remain curious; even after we leave, curious enough to take time to come back to our memories: performing our own investigation of the magnificent machines here.

IMAGE CAPTION: DOCUMENTATION FOUND AT THE WHEELS OF EXHIBITS:

IMAGE CAPTION: A 100 YEAR OLD MACHINE, STILL HAS OPERATION DIRECTIONS GLUED TO IT’S TINS!

To the left of Main Street, as you are walking to the rear of the building, your eye will be caught by an old shed. What? Yes, I said an “old shed”. This building is the remains of an old machine shed left on the property. If I remember correctly, Matt, Dale and their legion of volunteers dismantled this old shed board by board. Saving the materials the shed was made with as well as what was found inside. Once the huge barn like alum structure of the museum was built, the guys came back and rebuilt the machine shed inside the museum. It’s set up as an early bike repair shop and service station. Oil soaked shelves and work benches holding cylinder heads and other motorcycle parts of the day. It’s quite the trip into the past. Many people don’t walk inside, but I recommend you do. There is much to see in there as well as outside this great old shed!

IMAGE CAPTION: Rebuilt shed..Containing bike shop also known as Dale's Service

IMAGE CAPTION: Inside the service station…

Casting about the shed from the exterior, your eye will rest on this very cool side car rig. At first you won’t notice how it’s set up. But with close examination you will see it does not have a seat for a rider on the BACK of the motorcycle. The steering has been reconfigured so the passenger in the sidecar is he actual operator of this unusual machine. On top of that, there is very short leg room in the sidecar, which causes one to muse about the original owner, the person who ordered this machine. It’s from Harley Davidson. As of YET, Dale and Matt’s digging THROUGH the factory records have produced nothing about this “special order”. But the clues the bike does let go, suggest it was built by the factory…sidecar, special steering and all. It’s a head scratcher of a mystery, and it’s a wonderful display of early HD history. This photo depicts Dale sitting in this superb historic piece.

IMAGE CAPTION: HARLEY DAVIDSON SIDECAR DESIGNED FOR STEERING FROM CAR.

Moving along from here, up the lane on your right you’ll see this sad display. I felt cheerless when I saw this. To me it represented a mass grave of old bikes, containing motorcycles from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Parts of parts, strewn here and there, waiting for someone to come… claim this part or that part. Waiting…waiting. Yes, I felt sad here and quickly moved along. The girder front ends, the old pan tins and the peanut tanks all whispered to me…you see they represent my own past. It’s not that distant, not to me…yet here were bits and pieces of my life put on display and I realized: I am getting primal…older, am I almost extinct too?

IMAGE CAPTION: JUNK YARD OF MY LIFE

I hope you will be lucky enough to arrive at the museum during a time when either Dale or Matt are there to guide you around, because at some point they will invite you back to their own restoration garage, and you will be able to see what the guys are working on. While I was there, I saw their entry for the Cannonball Run. It’s still in the rebuild stage. The engine is being worked on…and all I saw of the bike was basically the frame. So I didn’t take a photo of it. Matt is working on an old flattie to be his personal ride… whew, I would really like to be you Matt! And of course there were at least two other bikes in various stages of restoration up on lifts! I know guys who would have to be dragged from this place crying like babies… wanting to stay and help.

IMAGE CAPTION: WHEELS THROUGH TIME RESTORATION SHOP

Back from the restoration shop, I return to my exploration of the museum goodies. There are so many things to see, I’m astounded. It’s like going to the Smithsonian: There is no way to see everything in one day. There is no way your senses could HANDLE seeing all these things in one day! Sensory overload, my dear…could send you into a very happy motorcycle dementia; it would take days to recover from it.

Have you ever watched a sidecar race through the trails of a wooded countryside? Today this kind of racing is called “SIDECAR CROSS”. These guys are like early trail blazers: carrying winches and hatchets, pulling and cutting their way through the brush, making their own trails. These intrepid explorers of our wilderness are exciting characters of our motorcycling world. Maybe I’ll get to meet a few guys and gals who do this kind of riding! I’m not sure, but I don’t think there is much racing in the old style anymore. I believe most of the sidecar cross racing is on man-made tracks, and there is little need for the wenches and hatchets that were placed on sidecar racers of the 50’s and 60’s like this neat little Panhead.

IMAGE CAPTION: SIDECAR TRAIL RACING MOTORCYCLE

Everywhere you look; there is something to catch your eye. Check out this odd double ported front cylinder. Do you know the reason to do such a thing?

IMAGE CAPTION: V-TWIN DUAL PORTED CYLINDER

Here is another example of the engines waiting for your perusal…is this one on your wish list? It’s one mine!

IMAGE CAPTION: ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOME GREAT WISH LIST STUFF:

All right boys and girls…they say to always leave them “wanting more”…are ya drooling yet? I’m going to leave you here…hopefully wanting more! See ya again soon, as I take you for a final round on the “WHEELS THROUGH TIME” TOUR!

Part One of Chessie's Road Trip "Wheels Through Time"

RODE TRIP: WHEELS THROUGH TIME, MAGGIE VALLEY, NORTH CAROLINA

Hey Y'all... this is a copy of the work that ran in IronWorksBlogger.com   I will have another feature there this coming week as well, I'll come back and give you the link soon, so those of you who have read this story already, can have something fresh to read...till then, come back and enjoy my take on Wheels Through Time!

IMAGE CAPTION: THE MUSEUM THAT RUNS:

“Wheels Through Time”.  Simply saying those 3 words produce a myriad of images featuring transportation of the human body.  But as bikers, hopefully we have an idea of what these iconic three words should conjure into our consciousness.  Motorcycles, beautiful American built motorcycles.  In fact, Wheels Through Time is a museum housing the largest collection of RUNNING antique and classic American built motorcycles.  With over 400 brands of American made motorcycles to choose from; you will not have a shortage of wonderful antique wonders to exhibit.

Locating Wheels Through Time is easy.  The museum is situated in an area of Western North Carolina that is a Mecca destination for all manner of bikers.  By now most of you have heard of the famous road running over the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, commonly known to the biker crowd as  “THE DRAGON”.  This is Highway 129 in both Tennessee and North Carolina.  This road is an attraction on its own. The towns surrounding “The Gap” have adjusted their tourist pursuits to include the hoards of black clad bikers who descend on the area looking for the most fantastic motorcycle ride routes in the Eastern United States. Now we come to Maggie Valley. A little town whose industry is in attracting the biker to stay in her cabins and motels, eating at her restaurants, and stopping  at a fantastic little family run museum housing over 300 antique and classic American motorcycles! Punch this address into your GPS: 1986 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC, 28751.  It’s easy to find since it is just off the main drag through Maggie Valley.

I arrived shortly after they opened for the day.  I had barely dismounted before I was greeted by a woman who I suspect to be one of the many volunteers who donate their time to help the curator, Dale Walksler and his son Matt.  I am always happy to find people like her in my travels.  I learn so much from the friendly, smiling and helpful southern people I’ve run into here in North Carolina.  I tell her who I am and why I’ve come. She tells me I’m in luck!  Both Dale and his son Matt are in town today, ready and willing to talk to me, give me the tour and keep me informed of the exhibits and their history. 

As I’m removing my leathers, I’m casting an eye about the grounds: they are amazing.  Lush green carpet of grass in front of the building with picnic tables, seating, a small creek, shade trees and flowers inviting the rider to rest and regroup after our tour through the museum.  I hadn’t even been inside yet, but I was sure it had to be set up this way so the visitor could come out and sit amongst our peers: regaling our friends and new acquaintances on our knowledge of the sights we had just witnessed inside this incredible building. (Once the season fully kicks in, it appears there will be a refreshment center open on the lawn as well.) This seems to be a well thought out application of hospitality.

IMAGE CAPTION: PARKING LOT, RAMP AND ENTRANCE TO MUSEUM:

 As I’m walking up the long cement ramp leading to the doors of the museum, I’m caught by the sight of several motorcycles sitting on the patio section.  Sweeeeettttt…. Whipping the camera to my eye, I’m already starting to click away.  I haven’t even entered the museum proper…yet here was eye candy…enticing me to enter…  “there is a hell of a lot more inside” this little display whispers to me… a hell of a lot more.

IMAGE CAPTION: A BEAUTIFUL KNUCKLEHEAD BUILT IN HONOR OF DALE’S DAD

IMAGE CAPTION: A FANTASTIC CLASSIC TRIKE… 

Passing through the front doors… more classic and antique motorcycles are on display.  Wait! We haven’t even been asked for a dime.  Yet, here the museum has on display for our curious eyes more wonderful candy. I’m stoked.  Everywhere I cast my eye within the lobby; I see informative and interesting displays, all encouraging me to walk beyond the wonderful lobby and gift shop searching out the machines I have come to love.  But wait! Don’t forget to stop at the desk and pay your entry fee…$12.00 for you and each of your mates if you’re under sixty-five.  For the seniors you guys have a 2 dollar discount and the rug crawlers are a measly six bucks for entry.   Oh, and how can you pass by raffle of  the 1947 HARLEY DAVIDSON RESTORED FL KNUCKLEHEAD?  Get your butt back over to the counter, pull out your wallet and try your luck for this beautiful motorcycle!  You have until Nov. 13^th 2010 to enter to win.  You can either take the Knuckle or you can opt for $20,000.00.  You damn sure had better take the bike buddy…I mean, why would you come here and not LOVE TO OWN this beautiful machine?  THE PROCEEDS OF THE RAFFEL SUPPORT THE MUSEUM!

IMAGE CAPTION: I WANT THIS BIKE

Walking through the wide opening from the gift shop to the museum proper, you enter in an area maintained for the display of the Velodrome Board Track machines.  On display here is a 1914 Harley Davidson “A” model racer, a 1916 Excelsior Big Valve Racer, a 1921 Harley Davidson SCA Single, and my personal favorite: the 1909 Reading Standard Twin.  To learn more about these particular machines, visit WTT’s web page @ http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/vintage-motorcycles/board-track-racers.html

IMAGE CAPTION: A MOST BEAUTIFUL ENGINE….READING STANDARD

At another featured exhibit known as “SLANT ARTISTS” we come across a circular raised exhibit.  Here are featured hill climbing machines.  On a very realistic hill display we see various motorbikes positioned as if racing up the dirt and boulder strewn hill.  It’s a display that allows the viewer an idea of how the motorbike was utilized in its heyday.  On this hill you’ll find a 1930 Harley Davidson DAH 750 OHV, a 1929 Excelsior Overhead Valve 750, a 1928 Indian Altoona OHV 750, and a 1930 EXCELSIOR overhead 750.    http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/vintage-motorcycles/factory-hillclimb-specials-speedway-specials.html

IMAGE CAPTION: MOTORCYCLES ON DISPLAY AT “THE SLANT”

IMAGE CAPTION: AN ACTION DISPLAY FEATURING “THE SLANT”

At this juncture, I’m going to leave you to look at some of the photos! I’m nowhere near done.  The next installment will feature so much…you won’t believe what you’re looking at! See y’all soon at the next RODE STOP!