As we're well into the new year, the time for getting back on two wheels is rapidly approaching.  Here at the museum, we've been working hard on several machines to get them back into tip-top shape for the riding season, and have added several more projects to the workbenches in the past few months.  Over the winter, some incredibly rare machines have found their way to Wheels Through Time.  In January, after making cross-country trip to the Las Vegas Auction, I stumbled across and incredibly rare one -- possibly the last Harley-Davidson boardtacker ever produced -- a 1929/30 H-D overhead-valve 45".  Since I'm a big boardtrack fan, and a huge Harely 45" nut, this one felt like the find of a lifetime.  Then, within the month, two very rare Harley Peashooters came my way via an interesting trade.  Currently, I've got 10 machines on the lifts, and my son, Matt, has finished a few machines, and started on a couple of great projects as well.  We've been busy....really busy.

So many times, I'm asked how we come across these rare machines and projects, and how we know what we're looking for.  And the best answer I can give, is to make your way to any of the major Antique Motorcycle Club of America Swapmeets held each year.  With the swapmeet season starting in late February and early March, thousands of antique motorcycle enthusiasts make their way to Eustis, Florida for the first big AMCA event of the season.  Held during the weekend before Daytona Bike Week, the Eustis Swapmeet brings together a great cross-section of entusiasts of both new and old, each looking for the right parts and piles to get them started for the new year.  This year at Eustis, we found some incredible pieces for projects at the museum, many of which are well underway. 

But don't worry, just because the first big meet is in the books, you haven't missed your chance at finding the right parts for your project.  The season's second meet is fastly approaching, and if you ask any old bike buff, this is the one to hit. 

Held in Oley, Pennsylvania, the AMCA Oley Swapmeet is one of the longest running and most well put together swapmeets in the country.  Put on by the Perkiomen Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, this swapmeet brings out some of the best classic American iron on the planet. This year's theme is flathead Harleys, which is sure to attract some great ones.

What makes Oley so special?  Well, if you asked a 100 people, you might get 100 different answers.  One reason why I like Oley so much is that, geographically, it is and has been a sort of centerpoint for the motorcycle industry.  Dating back to the earliest days of American motorcycling, countless motorcycle manufacturers were located in the North Eastern United States.  Brands such as Indian, Flying Merkel, Reading Standard, and Pope (to name a few) have based their headquarters and production facilities in this historically rich region, and as you can imagine, held a dominant market position before eventually falling behind the more powerful, larger companies.  During the early days, these manufacturers thrived on a more local and regional customer base, loyal to their machines.  But as time went by, the smaller companies' shortcomings limited their lasting impact and brand loyalty, and soon they would become just another chapter in motorcycle history.  Or would they?

Held during the last weekend in April, the Oley swapmeet plays host to thousands of enthusiasts each looking for their piece of motorcycle history.  Located centrally in the North Eastern U.S., Oley brings some of the rarest and most significant early machines out of the woodwork, and out of their respective page in motorcycle history back into today's modern world. 

Over the years, I've turned up some unbelievable finds at Oley.  From early American boardtrack racers, to hot-rod period bobbers, and rarely seen prototypes and production models, you never know what'll show up to this meet.  Last year, early Friday morning, I made my way from the coffee pot to a friends booth, and on my way stumbled across a beauty of a bike -- a tiger-striped 1937 Indian hot-rod Chief.  The bike had great history, and right from the get go, I knew this one belonged at Wheels Through Time.  Formerly owned by Easton, PA Indian Dealer, Herm Levine, this Indian had changed hands only once since new, and hadn't run in over 20 years.  I bought the machine on the spot, and haven't thought twice about my decision.  Heck, after a couple of hours in the shop, we had her up and running, just as she had in her previous life long ago.

Another of my favorite "Oley finds" was the old 1920 Harley-Davidson flat-opposed W-Model at Wheels Through Time.  About 15 years ago, a couple friends and I ran across this original beauty sitting quietly under an old oak tree.  You see, the W-model is quite an oddball machine for Harley.  Aimed at both the female market and export market, the W-Sport was a small displacement, low compression horizontally opposed twin built by the Motor Company to compete with the various European opposed twins and to provide a lightweight efficient machine for women and younger riders.  Produced from 1919-1921, the "W" didn't quite take off like expected, and as a result, few remain today.  Event fewer of these are in original condition.  After a few minutes with a screwdriver, some carburetor cleaner, and a couple of wrenches, we had her up and running and cruising around the swapmeet.  Definitely an experience I'll never forget.

So whether you're the most seasoned antique motorcycle enthusiast, or just would like to see hundreds, maybe thousands, of these rare pieces of American history in their element, the Oley swapmeet is an experience that'll last a lifetime. 

We hope to see you there!

Wheels Through Time Special Opening -- May 14, 2009
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

For the past several weeks, we've been working on a host of special events at the museum for this upcoming season.  Things have progressing nicely with several already scheduled and many more currently in the works.   Here at the museum, we've been keeping our thousands of friends and visitors in mind, and have been making strides to provide several opportunities for each and every one of them to visit the museum this year.

The first of these events -- The SmokeOut Long Road Stop at Wheels Through Time, will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009.  We invite everyone to attend, and whether you're a long time museum supporter, an avid rider or would like to visit American two-wheeled history at its finest for the first time, this is the day to come.  Here's why. 

For ten years now, The Horse: Backstreet Choppers, one of the most popular publications in the motorcycle industry, has been holding one of the fastest growing motorcycle events in the country -- the Smoke Out Rally.  Dedicated to those with the craving for home-built choppers, bobbers, and other creative customs, the Smoke Out Rally brings together a truly unique scene of custom-builders and fans alike to share and compare the lastest surrounding the custom bike scene. Each year, the Smoke Out has grown in size, expanding from a small "bike-builders show" into a nationally renowned event. 

This year's Smoke Out Rally promises to be one for the ages. In celebration of their 10th Anniversary, the 2009 Smoke Out will consist of two events.  The first event, The Smoke Out -West in Cottonwood, Arizona will be held on May 8-9, 2009 and will bring together some of the coolest customs on the west coast.  The two-day bash will also serve as the launch pad for the 2000-mile ride to the second of the events, The Smoke Out - East in Rockingham, North Carolina.

Perhaps the biggest news pertaining to these two events is what comes in between!  In just four and a half days, hundreds of builders, riders, and fans alike will take part in the ride that links East and West.  Called "The Long Road Ride", the ride will total over 2,000 miles beginning in Cottonwood, AZ and ending in Rockingham, NC and will unite the art of building these machines with the passion to ride.  Everyone is encouraged to participate -- all you need to do is register for the ride, and you'll be set up to make the cross-country run with some of the toughest two-wheelers on the planet. 

The Long Road riders will start their trek on Sunday May 10, and will average about 350-miles each day until reaching their final destination in Rockingham, NC.  With pre-designated stops along the route, riders will have a chance to unwind at night after a hard days ride before picking up and doing it all over again the next day.    That's where we come in!

As part of The Long Road Ride, both entrants and those riding along for fun will make the their final stop at the Wheels Through Time Museum on May 14, 2009.  Starting the day in Nashville, TN riders will make the 250+ mile ride to Maggie Valley, and are expected to arrive at about 3:30. Edge, the Smoke Out Rally Coordinator, and I have been working out the details for some time now, and we're both expecting a record turnout. 

The museum will be opening at 10:00a.m. that day, and will be in full operation with tours  bike demonstrations going on all day, and an informal bike show in the parking lot when the Long Road riders arrive.  We are estimating that over 3,000 people will be on hand as the bikes roll in, so be sure to get here early.  We'll be open all the way up to 10:00 p.m., and are working with Long Road Sponsor, Full Throttle Saloon, on bringing in a band. 

My son, Matt and I, have been working on all sorts of machines, lately, and should have many of them done by then.  In just the past several months, we've finished 10 new machines, all of which will be on display during the opening.   

So whether you're a going to be a first-time museum visitor or have visited numerous time's in years past, this is the day to visit.  With more customs and classics than you can handle, the Smoke Out Long Road Ride Stop at Wheels Through Time will be an event to remember.

See you there!!!

See The Videos, here!

What a fantastic weekend.   Just got back from the Maxton Mile, and wow, did we have a heck of a time. 

You might remember me sharing with you that last year, with my friend Buzz Kanter of American Iron Magazine, we headed to Maxton, NC with Buzz's old 1931 Harley-Davidson for the East Coast Timing Association's Land Speed Races.  On our trip, we took the old '31, which hadn't run in over 20 years, prepped it and set out to break a speed record in just a few days.   Buzz, I and a few other buddies had such a great time that we decided to do it again--this time with a couple of purpose built machines for going fast. 

Well the day finally weekend finally came, and it was a great one. 

Just after getting back from our trip with Buzz, we started immediately on building machines that would be competitive at the event.  Brian Haenlien, a long time buddy and owner and operator of ACME Vintage Cycles in Brethren, Michigan and his crew would build one and Matt and myself and friend Myron Pace would build the other. 

Since I'm a Harley-Davidson flathead nut, I decided that the aim for the run would be a pair of flatties to compete in different classes.  After a bit of brainstorming, we decided to build a couple of early ones --  a 1932 74" VL and a 1930 DLD 750. 

After several months of hard work, finesse and patience, both machines were ready to take a shot a making history.  Brian had built the VL to perfection -- keystone frame, dropped handlebars, and an engine that we knew would rumble.  The DL 750 was another work of art --factory high-performance engine, in-frame gas tank, dropped bars.....and it weighed in at an incredible 250 pounds.

We rolled into Maxton at about four o'clock on Friday, just in time for tech inspection.  With only a few corrections to make in order to bring the bike up to the ECTA's safety standards, we spent the rest of the night  doing the final prep work and then hit the sack early.

Saturday morning we awoke at 6:30 a.m. to the sound of nitro-burning Camaros and suped up Hyabusas.  We all felt that today was the day, and had high hopes of breaking records on our first runs.  Brian and the VL were up first and roared off the starting line.  He made a good pass, but at about 80mph, the bike began to high-speed wobble, due to the lack of steering dampener.  After making it back to the pits and hopping off the bike, Brian said the bike was done.  It was too unstable, and without a proper steering dampening mechanism, wouldn't be able to push through the wobble at 80.

Next up was the DL 750.  Matt, Myron, and I had prepared the bike to perform at its best, and judging by the sound of it, we felt it held the power to get the job done.  Running in the Altered Vintage Production 750c.c. Gas class, we'd have to beat the standing record of 85 miles per hour to make it into the record books.  85 mph might not seem too fast to you, but keep in mind that when Harley-Davidson produced these machine from 1929-31, they were never designed to go more than fifty.  We knew that the bike would run good, but didn't know if we could add another 35-plus miles per hour to what it would have run originally. 

I rolled up to the starting line with plenty of confidence.  When the starter dropped his flag, I twisted the throttle and roared down the 1.9 mile runway.  There's no feeling like pushing a machine to its limits.  The run went by in what felt like seconds, and when I got back to the timing booth, the told me my speed -- 80.135 miles per hour.  Not enough. 

When I got back to the pits, Matt and I talked about how it performed.  We both felt that it wasn't pulling the RPMs that it should, indicating that the gearing was too tall.  In order to get maximum horsepower, we dropped the motor sprocket down four teeth and decided to give it another shot.  Its a good thing that Brian brought a few extra sprockets!  The next time up, I was feeling confident and rolled off the line with a great start.  It was pulling great through first and second, and when I shifted into third, I was really moving.  I knew this was the run...but just before the timing trap, the bike jumped out of gear.  Despite a great start, the hiccup would slow me down enough to put the record out of reach.  I was disappointed. 

We rolled back into the pits that afternoon knowing that we'd only have one more chance the next day to make it happen.  We worked on the transmission and clutch, trying to fix the gear jumping problem.  After a bit of tinkering we had it fixed.  Now all we could do was wait.

Sunday morning greeted us again with the sound of thundering engines.  We were all excited to get back on the track soon, as our time was running out.

The hour and a half line of competitors kept me plenty anxious, but when I approached the starting line, all concerns and questions about the bike left my mind.  Eye contact with the starter, a few revs to get her warmed up -- it was time to make history.  The bike jumped off the line with a jolt and within seconds, I was through the gears and pulling her up to top speed.  Every inch mattered, and staying out of the wind is key when running these little engines.  I buried my head behind the handlebars, and as I approached the trap, I twisted the last bit of throttle I had left. 

As I passed the finish line, I knew immediately that it was a good run...but was it good enough?  When I got to the timing booth, I was met by the rest of the team -- the results were in -- 90.307 mph. 

I was ecstatic, and the rest of the team congratulated each other for a job well done.  We'd done it.  After months of hard work and dedication, the time that we put into making this one go fast paid off.  We'll definitely be heading back that way next time around, in October.  You never know...we might be able to get a few more miles per hour out of the old Harley 45"

We'll have videos on this year's speed trials and the build of the record-breaking Harley-Davidson 45" on our video website soon.  Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think.

Hello All,

I hope this spring has been a great one for all of you so far!  Here at the museum's we've been working on all sorts of great new things, including ramping up our virtual museum experience for our thousands of online visitors.  Currently, our Time Machine Video Archives have over 300 great videos online, and we're adding more regularly.

The reason that I'm writing today is to tell you about the growing Wheels Through Time DVD Collection available in our Online Museum Store.  Ever since we started the Time Machine Video Archives over three years ago, we've heard from visitors far and wide that DVDs would be a great  way for physical museum visitors and online visitors, alike, to stay up-to-date and informed about all of the latest happenings at Wheels Through Time.  You were right, and as of right now, we've got seven great new DVD titles to choose from that'll bring the world of Wheels Through Time right to your home. 

One of my favorites is the new "Archives Series".  With so many rare and historic machines inside the museum walls, it can be a bit overwhelming at times to take it all in.  Thats why we created "The Archives Series".  With "The Archives" you can tour the museum one-on-one with me, as we highlight many of the rarest and most significant machines at Wheels Through Time.  From hillclimbers and boardtrack racers, to prototypes and production models, "The Archives" brings history right to your doorstep.  We have a lot of fun in these shows, and we're always sure to get 'em running -- stuck piston or not!  "The Archives: Volume 1" has been a huge hit so far, and "Volume 2", just released earlier this month, is sure to be just as good.  Look for a bit of a different flavor with this one, as we bring you several Wheels Through Time built machines, all of which will change the way you think about vintage bikes.  You've heard of "old school" -- Well, this is "Real School". 

Another of my favorites, and our newest addition to the Wheels Through Time DVD Collection, holds a very special place in my heart.   "The 1936 VEL" highlights the build of a machine dedicated to the man responsible for my inspiration -- my dad, Bernie Walksler.  This one brings the build to you with over 15 shows from concept to creation, and all the hiccups along the way.  I guarantee you won't be dissappointed, and will see one of the wildest customs I've ever built come together to make one truly unique and inspiring piece of American motorcycle history.  From a pile of parts to a one-of-a-kind custom, "The 1936 VEL" is a must have if you're accustomed to straying from the norm!

For more great new DVDs from the Wheels Through Time Collection, and many other special offers only available from Wheesl Through Time, visit our Online Museum Store. 

And if you're wondering which DVDs you should get first, don't hesitate to ask!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Dale

See the bike build videos on The Time Machine...

Several months back, we were tracking the progress of one of our latest bike builds here on my blog.  The bike being built was quiet a rare one -- a 1942 Harley-Davidson FL Knucklehead.  We captured much of the build on video, and as of today, you can see them in our Time Machine Video Archives!

The project at hand came to my doorstep in an interesting way.  One day at the museum, a fella pulled up with truck and trailer, came up and introduced himself, and let me know he had something that may be of interest to me.   After talking a bit, we made our way out to his trailer and, to my surprise, he uncovered a 1942 Knucklehead.  "Its for sale" he said.  And after a bit of talking, we made a deal.

The bike looked good at first, but after a few days to look at it, we decided it wasn't all that I thought it was.  It was a real "look before you leap" story.    After removing a few parts, and then a few more, then a few more, we had the bike torn down to a bare frame and set of engine cases.   Not were I expected to be.  

So after a bit of brainstorming, we came up with a great project.  Being that very few '42 Knuckleheads were produced, and of those produced, few were available to the public, we decided to build it as a "Civil Patrol" Knucklehead.  Kind of a cross between a civilian bike and a police bike, if you will.

The project was a fun one.  With plenty of parts around the shop to choose from, we scrapped most of the parts that came off the bike, and began building something truly different.  A set of widened gas tanks from Harry Molenaar's old-time H-D dealership in Hammond, Indiana were perfect for the project.  I'd had them for 25 or so years and had been waiting for the right machine to put them on.   Lots and lots of chrome really help to set the bike off as well.  I've been collecting old chrome parts for years, and this was a great opportunity to dig into the stash. 

To many oddities to list went into this one, and when we finished, we all agreed that we had one sweet running piece of motorcycle history. 

Catch the build in our Video Archives, here.

Until next time,

--Dale