Sunday, March 29, 2015

Road Trip, Part 2 Saturday

After a very casual morning start, we took full advantage of the Harley Davidson Museum's 10:00 AM open by stopping for breakfast, then visiting another nearby dealer where we expected to see those Yamaha's we'd not managed to find on Friday.  There were new Yamaha's, Kawasaki's and Suzuki's but surprisingly, there were a huge and curious number of almost new Harley Davidsons, most of them so new that we were unable to tell if they'd been ridden at all.  An oddity to be sure.

After last night's very enjoyable concert, we were prepared for Day 2.


South on Hwy 45, we arrived downtown and made the turn on to Canal Street at the Museum's parking lot just a few minutes after 10.



Serial Number 1........





































































The Archive Rooms........





The Shop......








See that "1955" sign in the center of the photo??  It was a good year.



 The AMF years.....



Prototype "Four".....






 The bike that 'floated' to British Columbia from Japan after the tsunami.....





 Elvis the 'cyclist.........





 Enthusiasts.......




We spent 3 hours there and I'd easily go visit again, the 681 miles in the automobile all easy.  There were many people around us but spaces are huge and it never felt crowded.  Groups/clubs, Boy Scout troops, both J.P. and I noted various foreign tongues while reading through the placards.  A marked out 10' x 12' space on the floor denoting the original building near the beginning, through to the robotic frame welder at the end.....motorcycle fan or with an interest in the history of manufacturing and design, a very worthwhile destination and I'd say go.

13 comments:

  1. Certainly my kind of museum ;-) What a beautiful exhibition. I know a lot of German tourists who visited the museum even though they didn't ride a Harley Davidson.

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    1. I heard German yesterday, that one language I was reasonably certain of. Maybe your flamed black one will get to Milwaukee one day? :)

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  2. That's a wonderful museum! Thank you for the pictorial tour. One of these days...

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    1. I visited the old Capitol Drive engine plant 3 times over the years, a plant no longer used by Harley Davidson. Dad was with me twice, Ben once. There was a small 'greeting' sort of museum preceding the factory tours but it was micro compared to everything displayed at the new museum downtown. Dad's 1976 Bicentennial Electra Glide was displayed among the many inclusive models shown......I know he'd have truly enjoyed being along yesterday had he been able.

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  3. Doug was the tsunami survivor bike there? The one that landed on the Oregon coast?

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    1. Yes, I mistakenly said hurricane. I'll fix it. A story about the shipping container, photos, etc.

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  4. WOW. I knew the museum was big, but wow. So many good things contained in one spot.

    "The only cure for our deplorable traffic conditions." Perfect

    Thanks for taking the time to take the pics and put up the post.

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    1. Brandy, you nailed it. The place is big and the items displayed as well as how they're displayed is wonderful. So much there and from what I was hearing from those around me, love of motorcycles isn't necessarily a prerequisite.

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  5. What an incredible museum. Seems like Harley has been selling a lifestyle for longer than I thought. I was shocked by the revealing swim suits on the 1933 Harley Gals ;o)

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    1. Both things you mention jumped out and surprised me as well. Seeing that sign in one window really hit home, seems their marketing department has been nothing if not consistent. I'd call that a very successful campaign.

      The beachwear seemed a bit risque for the time, not that I'm all that aware of fashion but it did seem early for that much exposure.

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  6. Wow, I think I'm going to have to add the HD museum to my list of things to do... Great photos!

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    1. Thanks Lucky, a visit to the museum is one you'll really enjoy I'm sure.

      Do the M2M this summer and head down a day early! Friend David did this video a few years ago. Numerous guys at Diamonds do it every year.....lots of experts :)
      http://tinyurl.com/pfhx56z

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