Coast-to-Coast on a 95-Year-Old Harley

This story caught my eye. It tells of a coast-to-coast antique motorcycle race, the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, to start September 10, 2010 from Kitty Hawk, NC and end in Santa Monica, CA. One rider plans to ride a 1911 Harley-Davidson Silent Grey Fellow all the way. Here's an excerpt from an article appearing in the Simi Valley Acorn written by Angela Randazzo"

"While the antique motorcycle’s thrust pales in comparison to today’s street bikes capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph, Simi Valley resident Paul Watts, the proud owner of an 11F, is hoping the 95-year-old bike is capable of carrying him across the country." -- Angela Randazzo

Read the complete article.

Might Harley-Davidson Leave Milwaukee?

This report from the Associated Press by Dinesh Ramde indicates that 107 years in one town may be enough for Harley-Davidson. Here's an excerpt:

"It's the roar that made Milwaukee famous — the distinctive throaty rumble of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But that much-loved racket could be rumbling away to another state if the company cannot bring down its labor costs." -- Dinesh Ramde

Read more.

Wheels Through Time Museum on Good Morning America

The Wheels Through Time Museum's curator, Dale Walksler, will be on Good Morning America Monday, November 9, 2009. Here's an excerpt from citizen-times.com:

"On Monday, the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley will participate in a special broadcast with Good Morning America, as the show's co-host Bill Weir travels to Western North Carolina to ride the famed 'Tail of the Dragon' aboard the new incarnation of the Indian Motorcycle.

Weir's segment for good morning America will showcase the reincarnation of the new Indian Motorcycle Company. Wheels Through Time will be participating in the broadcast in various capacities. Museum curator, Dale Walksler, will be on hand to provide expert commentary on American motorcycle history related to the Indian company, highlighting both the birth of the company, as well as Indian's demise in the late 40s and early 50s. Walksler will also be aboard a genuine 1944 Indian Chief motorcycle, to ride the famed "Tail of the Dragon," a stretch of U.S. highway 129 with 318 curves in 11 miles, with Weir."

Here's the complete article.

The Indian Motorcycle is Back - Again

From the Wired Blog Network comes this article by Ben Mack about the introduction of the 2009 Indian motorcycle. Yes, Indian is back with seven dealers to sell the new limited edition Chief. Here's an excerpt:

"Champagne is flowing in celebration of yet another comeback for Indian Motorcycles and the arrival of the first limited-edition 2009 Chiefs. The retro but thoroughly re-engineered big twins are turning heads, but the icon's return couldn't come at a worse time." -- Ben Mack, Wired.com

Read the complete article for all the details. If you want to read about the complete history of Indian, check out my article, Indian Motorcycles.

Photo ©2009 Indian Motorcycles

58 Years of Indian: A Motorcycle Picture Gallery

Indian began making motorcycles in 1901 as the Hendee Manufacturing Company. The first production model was in 1902 and 143 units were produced. In 1903, 376 motorcycles were sold. It continued production through 1953 when it no longer made the classic Indian. In 1999, Indian motorcycles were again produced, this time by the Indian Motorcycle Corporation. This was not the same company but it did have rights to the Indian name and trademarks.

We present here a look at Indian models from the first prototype model in 1901 to the present as provided in pictures submitted by Motorcycle Views members. A gallery called "58 Years of Indian" is provided that gives a picture and description for each model year from 1901 to 2003.

There are many years not covered in this gallery. Your help is solicited for the following years. If you own one of these models or used to, please submit a picture and description to help us complete the gallery.

1901-1927
1929-1935
1937-1945
1948-1953

Take a look at 58 Years of Indian and then send us a picture of your Indian motorcycle.

100 Years of Harley-Davidson: A Motorcycle Picture Gallery

Harley-Davidson began selling motorcycles in 1903. In 2003, the Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. I have created a picture gallery of Harley-Davidson motorcycle models over those 100 years as provided by visitors to my main Motorcycle Views site.

A picture gallery, 100 Years of Harley-Davidson, is provided that gives a picture and description for each model year from 1903 to 2003.

Many years still do not have a picture. If you own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle from any of the following years, please send me a picture and description to get your bike in this gallery:

1903-1911
1913-1929
1931, 1933
1935, 1936
1938-1940
1943-1945
1951, 1952
1957-1963
1973, 1975

Take a look at 100 Years of Harley-Davidson.

47 Years of Harley-Davidson Sportster: A Picture Gallery

Harley-Davidson began selling motorcycles in 1903. In 1957, Harley-Davidson introduced the Sportster. It has continued in production ever since.

We present here a look at Harley-Davidson Sportster models from the first model in 1957 to the present as provided in pictures submitted by visitors to the site. A gallery called "47 Years of Sportster: A Picture Gallery" is provided that gives a picture and description for each model year from 1957 to 2003.

We need your help. This gallery is not yet complete. If you have a Sportster from the following years and want it included in this gallery, please submit a picture and description of your bike.

1957-1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1975, and 1990

21 Years of Honda Shadow: A Picture Gallery

Honda began selling the Shadow motorcycle in 1983. It has continued in production ever since.

We present here a look at Honda Shadow models from the first model in 1983 to the year 2003 as provided in pictures submitted by visitors to the site. A gallery called "21 Years of Shadow: A Picture Gallery" is provided that gives a picture and description for each model for each year from 1983 to 2003.

The gallery still has some models not represented. If you own one of the following models, send me a picture and description of your bike and I'll include it in 21 Years of Honda Shadow: A Picture Gallery.

1987 Honda Shadow 1100 VT1100C
1991 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C
1992 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C
1993 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C
1997 Honda Shadow 2-Tone A.C.E. VT1100C2
1998 Honda Shadow A.C.E. VT1100C2
1999 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C
1999 Honda Shadow A.C.E. 750 Deluxe VT750CD
1999 Honda Shadow A.C.E. 2-Tone 750 Deluxe VT750CD2
1999 Honda Shadow A.C.E. VT1100D2
2000 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C
2000 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe VT600CD
2000 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe 2-Tone VT600CD2
2000 Honda Shadow A.C.E. 750 VT750C
2000 Honda Shadow A.C.E. Tourer VT1100T
2001 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C
2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe 2-Tone VT600CD2
2001 Honda Shadow A.C.E. Tourer VT1100T
2002 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe 2-Tone VT600CD2
2002 Honda Shadow A.C.E. Tourer VT1100T
2003 Honda Shadow VLX VT600C

Motorcycle Touring - Take a Long Trip on Your Motorcycle

The dictionary defines a tour as "a journey for business, pleasure or education often involving a series of stops and ending at the starting point." Thus a tour is a complete circuit.

Motorcycle touring has always been a part of motorcycling. Early riders wanted to jump on their motorcycles and ride to see what was over the next hill. Of course the roads weren't too good in those days and travel could be slow. Bill Stermer in his book, Motorcycle Touring and Travel: A Handbook of Travel by Motorcycle, says:

"The bike on which most people choose to tour tends to be the one they own at the time."

This was certainly true early on before the advent of the heavyweight touring motorcycles of the last twenty-five years. The introduction of the Honda Gold Wing has changed all that. Read more.