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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!
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