This is a blog about nothing in particular. I am no one special, other than the fact that we are all special in one way or another. Along the ride we will talk about life in general, motorcycles, music, kids and other fun stuff. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Back ot the Motorcycle Hall of Fame





I got a call from Renee at the Hall of Fame museum asking me to pick up some of the things we left there three years ago when my grandfather was inducted. They had some things that were not on display and did not want to lose anything, and clean up a bit. So I had to drive out and get it. I only had two days in which to do it, so I drove out yesterday, spent the night, then went to the museum as soon as they opened this morning then drove home. It was nice revisiting the museum and seeing the current displays as well.

The wall of all the honored has been moved upstairs and has a larger area. My Grandfather's name Orie Steele is right there next to Malcolm Smith, and two down from Jay Springsteen. Great company for sure.

They kept some things and they are in the display case above which is right outside of the "Ring of Fame". The center trophy and the one on the left as well as the "Indian news" from 1928 came from my late Uncle Harold. The "speedogram" was a marketing tool that announced Indians wins and such to dealerships. Many of them were then put onto bulletin boards at dealerships. The one in the picture features a weekend sweep made by my grandfather and was purchased from Ebay by my brother-in-law then given to me. The card on the lower right I got from a gentleman in Australia who found my website and contacted me.

A close up of my Uncle's trophy. It is from 1924. It says "Harley-Davidson" across the top, they must have hated giving it to an Indian rider.
A close up of the Sports Card. It is in mint condition and sandwiched in between two plates of glass so that both sides can be viewed.
The "Indian News" from June, 1928. The female is some movie star of the time, I have no idea, but supposedly she was a "big deal". Kind of early Photoshop, the bike is cartoon and the movie star didn't actually pose with my grandfather, I have the same picture of him minus the movie star at home.
As they were writing up a new loan agreement for the things that were staying I wondered the museum. Downstairs they have some bikes on display and one is a period hillclimber like my grandfather would have ridden. Did he ever ride this one? I have no idea. Most of the time he travelled with his engine in a crate, then mounted it in a dealer supplied frame and went racing.
I am thinking this one is way too clean, it needs dirt.
An Ace 4 cylinder
Really early Triumph single

A nice Ducati Super Sport
A nice R100 BMW, love that Pearl White. When I die I want a Pearl White casket, with hand done pinstripes, of course
Every boy has heros. Besides my father and my grandfather mine was Cal Rayborn. He was an outstanding racer, on dirt and on the road courses. Back in the 70's they held "match races" between British and American riders. Typically they would kick our tails over seas and then win one race here and that was that. Cal changed that. He went over to England and kicked their butts, then kicked em here too. He won the Daytona 200 on the #3 machine, but I am not sure if this was the one.
Me next to the bike.
Better view of the side without my ugliness in there.
A nice write up about Hall of Famer and "Friend of the Pac" Chris Carr
A Gold Wing six cylinder cut away engine.
A Moto Guzzi cut away
Whenever my parents went away they usually got us a gift. I got this t-shirt for my two year old. She really does like it, honest!