My Friend Louis Gerencer
What a day at the museum.   We started off to a busy morning with visitors coming in from all over the country, many of which were first time visitors.  I jumped in with a group of about ten folks from Michigan, showing them many of the highlights of the collection, and of course starting a few of my favorite machines every time I got the chance. 

As we rounded the corner by the board track racers, I got quite a surprise.  Who was it....none other than my old buddy Louis Gerencer.  Louis was a Harley-Davidson dealer in Elkhart, Indiana for many many years and has been around the block a time or two.  He spent countless years conquering the hills in hundreds of hillclimbs around the country, and was quite the drag racer as well.  I've even got a picture or two of Louis on a few of his hillclimbers going "over the top" on one wheel.  Amazing.

Louis and I have been friends for years and years, and this was the first time we'd seen each other in at least a decade.  He immediately hopped in on the tour, interjecting his comments, memories and experiences to everyone's delight.  We toured around the hillclimb exhibit at the museum for what could have been hours or just a few minutes (I'll never know), sharing stories about early racers and several of the machines housed at the museum.  Its just so happened that Louis knew almost every bike on the hill, and the racers that rode them to years of success. 

We even got a couple of bikes out to ride.   I pulled out the old 1920 W-Model sport solo, Harley's first opposed cylinder deviation from the famous V-twin.  Louis hopped right on and rode the bike around the parking lot for a couple of minutes, taking to the machine like he had just ridden it yesterday.  I fired up the '47 Knuck that Matt, Myron, and I just finished and did a few burnouts for our visitors.  All in all, it was a fantastic day.  Its folks like Louis who got me into motorcycles, and having the chance to catch up with him after so many years was quite a thrill. 

So next time you're at the museum, keep an eye out.  You never know who's going to stop in for a visit!

--Dale
Comments
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Kathy Halm   |2008-08-10 15:17:31
Hi Dale,

A bunch of us from Florida stopped by WTT on Thursday, August 6th.
Most on sport bikes and a few in their vehicles. As soon as we pulled up you
graciously came to speak to us and made us all feel so welcome. This is the
second time my boyfriend and I have been to your museum and we are absolutely
amazed by everything you have! It is truly an awesome experience and you are
definitely an awesome host! We are deeply saddened that you have to move away
from NC as we visit there every year for some motorcycle riding in the
mountains. I don't think the people of NC will realize just how much WTT means
to their state, but when you are gone...they certainly will!! Best of luck to
you and hopefully someday we will be able to visit you in Arizona! Thanks again
for a wonderful experience!! Kathy and Gary
hdflame  - Captain, Sanford FD   |2008-08-10 14:57:32
Dale,

Sounds like you had a great time with old friends.

I came up a
couple of years ago with some firefighters that had never been to your museum.
You were there that day so we got a chance to meet you and buy some raffle
tickets on a great bike that you were giving away.

I'm putting together
another ride for the firefighters from our 12th district of the International
Assoc. of FF Motorcycle Group. I am planning on bringing them to the museum on
Oct. 14th. I would be honored, and I know they would enjoy if you could give us
the 25 cent tour and start some bikes for us.

Hope to see you in
October.

Ride safe,
Bobby Riddle
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