1958 Harley-Davidson FLH

I was born in Steubenville, Ohio in 1942 and lived in the Cleveland area until 2005, when I moved to Las Vegas.

My first motorcycle was a Sears Twingle I bought in 1960. I couldn’t afford a car during college days, so it was walk or Twingle.

 

After college I worked as a manufacturing engineer and raced dirt track stock cars as part of STP’s employee racing team. I Had a few motorcycles from time to time including a Honda 750-4. Having 5 kids and starting a business put a severe cramp in my motorcycling activities, limiting my time riding.

 

After meeting my current wife Clara Baker, I bought a Dyna Low Rider, and she bought a Sportster. We soon upgraded to touring bikes and began long distance riding. Most years we rode at least 15,00 miles either to see the world’s largest ball of sisal twine or to attend Clara’s MotorMaid events.

We bought our first antique bike, a 49 Panhead, in 2000 and joined the AMCA. We enjoyed working in the garage together during the Ohio winters, which led us to purchasing a 1965 Pan basket case.

Since then, we have done several frame off restorations and own a few Panheads, and a Topper, a WLDR and a Flandria. I sold my Ohio based business and retired in 2005 to Las Vegas, NV. This has allowed us more time to work on old bikes and ride them as often as possible, locally and at AMCA Road Runs. I’m currently serving as President of the LV Chapter, AMCA.

When Lonnie Isam Jr. announced the 2010 Motorcycle Cannonball, we wanted to sign up, but didn’t have the correct year bike. Instead, we followed along helping Dale Walksler, Buzz Kanter and others as they went on this adventure. We have followed every Cannonball for at least part of the route.

Clara and I decided that if I’m ever going to actually participate in a Cannonball or Chase event, I better get started. The bike I plan to ride in the Chase is Clara’s 58 Panhead. She bought it from Dale Walksler in 2013 shortly after it appeared in the What’s in the Barn episode where Dale started 120 motorcycles in 12 hours. Clara has been helping me prepare the bike and my goal is to make the starting line every morning and to have a safe ride.