Editor's Note: Doc Robinson, from Australia, a journalist for Heavy-Duty Magazine in Australia, criss-crossed the United State this summer covering everything that rolled from Billy Lane to Hollister, Sturgis, Victory and the 105th. It's been a blast. Watch for more of his reports as we close out 2008.
All week bikers have been pouring into Milwaukee from all points of the compass, from many countries across the globe and the streets of the city are ringing with not only American voices but also dozens of foreign accents and languages.
Wednesday afternoon, motorcycle industry icon Willie G. Davidson kicked off the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Celebration at the famed Juneau Ave site, following a brilliant warm up by young Muscular Dystrophy sufferer and MDA Goodwill Ambassador Luke Christie.
Willie G. brought his family on stage and introduced them to the crowd to thunderous applause, strengthening both the perception and the fact that there are unbroken links going back to the four founders. Following the brief ceremony, the music kicked off and the party began – loud, fast and hard!
Thursday was the day for H.O.G. members with the Club H.O.G. celebrating their 25th Anniversary at Miller Park.
To say it was well attended would be a gross under-estimate.
In fact it turned into an absolutely seething mass of bikers and biker women who were there to party hearty and indeed, party hearty they did to the accompaniment of a swag of bands, stunt teams, drill teams, the one and only Bubba Blackwell and more, much more.
From Joan Jett and the Blackhearts through the Billy Bob Thornton band (that is NOT a misprint) to the penultimate act, Kid Rock, Miller Park shook, rocked and rolled for the twelve hours of the H.O.G. celebration.
What these guys (deaf H.O.G. members) save on not needing to change out their pipes, they can spend on beer. And if you can’t hear the music, well you can still ogle the chicks.
Friday’s activities seemed to centre around visiting dealerships with long line-ups to even get into the parking lot, but with a cool range of vendors at each spot. Baker Drivetrain reported great business from their display at the Italian Community Centre event.
Hal’s Harley-Davidson was wall-to-wall people checking out the various vendors and queuing for a considerable time to purchase items from the dealership and Brian Klock’s display of cool bikes at the Kustom Baggers lot drew many spectators.
Milwaukee Harley-Davidson, the only ‘true’ Milwaukee dealership, was stuffed to the gills with bikers lining up for t-shirts, some cool, some cute and some lame.
They also had a heap of major vendors including Corbin, and some cute young ladies carrying on that long-held tradition of the bikini bike wash.
You run into all sorts of people at an event like the 105th, and here we see Biker Rogue struggling with the controls of a new fangled digital camera. Onya buddy. Hey, I made up the ‘struggling with the controls’ bit; Rogue is a bike photographer par excellence as long time readers of Bikernet well know.
As a biker who is a fanatic about riding a clean motorcycle, I found myself irresitably drawn back to the wash, time and again, to see if I could glean any special tits . . . err, I mean tips on getting a better shine on my scoot.
Friday night the Summerfest Grounds rocked to the sound of bands such as the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Los Lonely Boys, ZZ Top and the Black Crows but afterward began the street parties . . .
. . . parties for block after block filled with biker’s doing what they love best after riding, partying!
It is the 105th CELEBRATION after all.
Where there’s no room for attitude, dude, although the gay glasses definitely mute the implied threat.
Block after block.
Come back tomorrow for Parade Shots–wild.
Saturday, the biggest day of them all kicked off with the 105th Anniversary Parade where the streets of Milwaukee reverberated to the sound of thousands upon thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycles who have made the pilgrimage “home”.
And now for a word from Harley-Davidson:
–Doc
HARLEY-DAVIDSON GAVE ENTHUSIASTS 105 REASONS TO COME HOME– Riders Joined 25 Cross-Country Journeys to Milwaukee From 105 Starting Cities to Celebrate Motor Company's 105th Anniversary
MILWAUKEE (Aug. 16, 2008) – For once, it's the journey and the destination.To celebrate its 105th Anniversary, Harley-Davidson organized one of the most ambitious organized rides in its illustrious history. The Motor Company's Ride Home featured a motorcycle pilgrimage starting in 105 different cities across America that converged into 25 cross-country routes. The ride, and thousands of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts rolled into Milwaukee, the birthplace of Harley-Davidson, on Aug. 27, 2008.
While in Milwaukee, Harley enthusiasts were treated to three days of motorcycles, music and more. Highlights included more than 20 concerts including performances by Daughtry and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
“The Ride Home was built around three passions shared by all Harley-Davidson owners–their motorcycle, the road and their fellow riders,” said Bill Davidson, Vice President of Core Customer Marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “The fact that we've been able to integrate these passions while celebrating 105 years of the world's best motorcycles makes it an even sweeter experience.”
Ride for the Cause
Along with celebrating 105 years of great motorcycles, the Motor Company also celebrated its 28-year relationship with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) by working with the Harley family of employees, dealers and riders to help raise money to find a cure for neuromuscular disease.
During the 100th Anniversary, the Motor Company's extended family helped raise a record $7.1 million for the MDA.
MDA Received Over Six Million From the 105th
MILWAUKEE — (August 30, 2008) Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association reached $6.7 million surpassing its original $6 million goal for 105th Anniversary fundraising. The 2008 total brings cumulative 28-year fundraising for MDA to more than $71 million. The announcement was made during Harley-Davidson's Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The announcement will be broadcast on the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer was joined by Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin and Senior Vice-President and Chief Styling Officer Willie G. Davidson to make the final check announcement.
Harley-Davidson MDA Goodwill Ambassador Luke Christie accepted the $6.7 million check on behalf of the children and families served by MDA. “The Harley-Davidson family rides for us,” said Christie at the final total announcement. “These are the friendliest and nicest people and nicest people on the planet and they care deeply about Jerry's Kids.”
Christie, 15 and a resident of Due West, South Carolina, visits dealer and customer events throughout the country on behalf of Harley-Davidson and MDA.
Harley-Davidson fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association took place throughout the year and culminated with Harley-Davidson's 105th Anniversary. Fundraising activities included pledge rides, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles, Black and Blue Ball fundraising dinners, auctions and pin sales. Top MDA fundraisers were given the honor of leading the company's 105th anniversary parade through the streets of Milwaukee.
Harley-Davidson has been a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1980. The family of Harley-Davidson dealers, customers, H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) members, suppliers and employees raise funds to support life-saving research, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease, and MDA summer camps. For more information on the Harley-Davidson and MDA relationship visit www.mdarides.org.
