Woolery Bullet

No, we're not talking the Buell or even the Italian-made Aermacchi H-D bought and rebadged by H-D..= The case of the Woolery Bullet is one of those odd sideroads in the history of Milwaukee Motor Co. It was a one-off built custom by the factory for the fellow whose name appears on the gas tank– a first and last such event. When Dale Walksler first saw a photo of the Woolery “Bullet” in a book about the history of Harley-Davidson, he decided right then and there to replicate the historic machine that unfortunately has disappeared, perhaps forever. Others had said they would recreate the oneuvakind; Dale went out and did it. The story goes like this:

In the height of the Depression in 1933 a customer wanted a special bike, and ordered it from Milwaukee through the Guy Webster H-D dealership in Minneapolis. The customer’s name was Woolery and he wanted to go fast so he requested that the name Woolery “Bullet” be painted on the gas tank.

The one-off factory built machine featured a 45 cubic inch DLD engine with Ricardo heads mated to an M-21 nickel plated carb and fitted into a single cylinder designed B-frame (for lightness). Forks and fenders are of 1929 vintage. and you can now see it on display at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum. Dale has had “Bullet” up to 70 mph while the factory test rider Art Eckels reportedly clocked 88 mph on the bike back in 1933.

You'll find the bike and a few hundred more shining examples of rare American iron at the Wheels Through Time Museum, a 38,000 sq. ft. treasure trove of history nestled in a Smoky Mountains hamlet called Maggee Valley, pop. 400. Step onto the museum's 7500 sq.-ft. mezzanine and you've entered a timeline of America's 60-year long Class C dirt track & road racing past.

The exhibit is enhanced by memorabilia from the “glory days” 1909 – 1929 including its early Class C racing roots. Hillclimbing, is given special attention by way of a collection of 20 factory-produced specials including two rare 1930 Excelsiors and a 1928 Indian 750 Overhead.

There's also a wall full of boardtrack racers and a display of wartime iron horses.

Adding historical depth to their collection, the museum displays literally thousands of items that link man and machine including many fine works of art gathered from around the world, for example a rare collection of early 1900 “Goodrich Girls” lithographs. There's even an original 28-foot motorcycle tire billboard. You'll also find a small mountain of rare original factory lithographs, panoramic photos from the teens and twenties, posters, era clothing, a vintage oil can collection, trophies, and autographed pictures, all presented in a whirlwind of color that accurately brings to life the cultural backdrop that surrounds our motorcycling past.And don't miss the “Mechanized America” exhibit, a 75-foot boardwalk built to educate visitors about some unusual uses for motorcycle engines including garden tillers, an automated gold miner, and a one of a kind Harley-powered airplane.

Open seven days a week, the museum recently celebrated its 100,000th visitor and has become the rallying point for motorcyclists far and wide. Come on overS Dale's waiting to pull something off the wall for you. Maybe even the Woolery Bullet!

Wheels Through Time Museum
P.O. Box 790, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
828-926-6266
mailto:info@wheelsthroughtime.com

For those planning a trip to the area contact:
Maggie Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
1-800-Maggie1
http://www.maggievalley.org
email: Maggie@maggievalley.org