Did One Family Just Change Harley Racing History?

Dale's Wheels Through Time Museum, located in Maggie Valley, NC, features over 375 American motorcycles, unique cars, and transportation history.
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wheels through time

[@ibanezleftyclub]

You guys should scan all those scrapbooks and make a slide show so we could all see them.

[@Thugl1f]

Yes that would be awesome so those of us who are unable to make the trip to Maggie Valley can see that history.

[@richardrowlands9113]

I bet he didn't pay a cent, not even for the guys posting, but he will profit out of it

[@Bimmer_MD]

Here here, I 2nd that motion

[@BigButtocks967]

@@richardrowlands9113 oo a tad bitter there aren’t you. Out of interest how did you come to that conclusion?

[@Steven-lx2yv]

Good idea

[@centralbears3010]

Mat I just shook your hand on Friday on an impromptu visit; I had no idea who I met. Your father is a great American to create this museum and a raise you to carry the torch. thanks for everything; binge watching is an understatement.

[@iammike1196]

I know I say this everytime but I can't say there is anyone else that deserves to have this stuff more than wheels through time. So many racers and bikes that could have been lost and forgotten if it weren't for Dale an now yourself. Thank you

[@davidhakes3884]

What a Legacy Andrew, now this will always be in the Harley Racing history.

[@mikaldene7146]

Unreal the way things came together Matt. Thanks Andrew for sharing your great-grandfather's legacy with the community.

[@laishlaish3824]

WOW !! Don't know if you have one or not, but think you need a "Wheels through time Hall of Fame" for people who help preserve this incredible history. What a find !

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

That is a helluva good idea. With all the donators to wtw for the present expansion, planning that in would be a perfect fit.

[@laishlaish3824]

@@whatyoumakeofit6635 I was always amazed at the old basket cases we'd run across & projects to be restored. And after a couple Months of work, never had 1 that didn't start first time. The craftsmanship of those builders needs remembered & honored along w/those who help keep them alive.

[@danielseymour6726]

The Grin on your face when you unwrapped the trophy is priceless like the rider and bike it honors. Thanks Matt and everyone at WTT .

[@davidhakes3884]

I agree was going to post about his smile and sparkle in his eyes when he held up the Trophy. Priceless. Thanks to All who brought this out.

[@LawrenceHubbard-o2i]

Hopefully you talked with someone about how to handle the photos, the papers and pamphlets. Being this old there is a process of how to handle them and display them also if you want to reproduce them there is a method. Air humidity temperature light will destroy them along with any kind of insect on them. The papers can be dry iced to kill any bacteria and insects. The pictures are another story about how to preserve them. It’s a great collection and needs to be kept and preserved. Talk with with a professional about all your old pictures and papers about how to ensure that they will be preserved for next generations. What a great collection a great story and a great motorcycle!! Super excited that you have this to share with the world.

[@JonathanSparks-ht4vq]

Wear the white gloves to handle near deteriated printed material. That how the folks at the Smithsonian Institution does it

[@daviddunn5264]

Pretty awesome that Andrew's family history can now be shared with everyone!!! Wheels Through Time will see that his history lives on for everyone to enjoy 👍

[@KMAN5433]

Those scrapbooks and photos givin me goosebumps

[@chuckduzzie8529]

I don’t ride but I love history … and this channel has more history than you will find anywhere …. 💪

[@johnhutsler8122]

I love how KZbin can bring places like REALLY awesome motorcycle museums to the masses. I probably would've never known this place existed, but now I get to see this dude's prized collection of old bikes. It also helps him spread the word about his place and continue to grow the museum. These are rad times to live in!

[@mrogdensir]

I have to correct you Matt. The Flxible sidecar was made in "Loudonville", Ohio. Where the famous Flxible Bus was later made. I used to work in that same building when Motor Coach Industries owned it. It had changed very little from the old days. You could feel the history in there!

[@cliffmcname6612]

Watching Matt's enthusiasm and love for what he does, i just can't help but sit here and watch this just SMILE.

[@nickmassey9104]

Matt you need to get an artist to copy the sidehacks signwriting to canvas ..the history in that box is priceless 👌

[@Oneminutetofixit]

What a great addition to the museum!! Thanks for starting that thing. Wish my phone had a smellophone.

[@PUNCHARD800ftlb]

my mind has just exploded over the flexible sidecar what an incredible piece

[@gunshipgray4295]

You need to get the donor of those items out to your location and do a video. What a great history and a reunion of the trophy, logs, photos and motorcycle !! Excellent !!

[@markbrunner8004]

Its cool to see the unselfishness that Andrew has shown us here. When so many would covet the family's belongings, Andrew and his family have chosen to share it with the world and in doing so have kept history alive. And Matt, as usual , it great to see your passion for this hobby so many of us share. You look like a kid on Christmas morning lol.

[@philly2x]

Best transition to "Let's hear this thing run." ever!

[@russthebiker]

The Motorcycle found you !, when you look at how much motorcycle technology has changed in the 100 odd years since this iron horse raced, you realise just how tough, and how keen those early pioneers were, and today we benefit from their legacy, to hear it running as well, is to bring their memory back to life, keep up the good work, you are archiving American History

[@scottarmstrong1172]

It's a wonderful thing when historical artifacts find each other. Incredible bike & history. Thanks for sharing Matt!

[@youngblood2]

I'm glad to see that someone like you found it, because you will make sure that the history won't be lost.

[@ericohara2582]

Such a credit to Andrew and family to make this gesture and well deserved by you all. Thank you for sharing (here in the UK)

[@1984cablrrelf]

I have pictures of my grandfather on his 1919 Harley. No racing of any kind. He just loved riding. By the way that's how he met my grandmother. I enjoy all of your content. Keep up the good work on history.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

A Great History story from Battle Creek MI. My Great Great Grandfather was the Calhoun County Road Commissioner for several decades. He sold his 80 Acre Farm just North of Battle Creek to my Great Grandfather when he became a Politian .

[@Olle-555]

I feel very humble when I see this. It's incredible.

[@johnfuller6338]

The grin on your face when you opened the trophy was priceless, an when you fired up the bike it brought back a memory of my granduncle taking me for a ride in his h-d with the sidecar, have been in love with bikes with sidecars ever since, thank you for the fond memories.

[@dougjenks6954]

Very nice that his trophies and pics can go with his bike in a museum! Congratulations to you and your family!

[@richardcarine8929]

You need to write a book about this history! Fantastic photos and documentation that needs to be shared.

[@sporty196071]

It's amazing how the bike and its history found a way to get back together again. I wish Dale was there to see this.

[@jmc6659]

the respect you have in the motorcycle community that people will send you their family treasures is awesome can't wait to get back up there

[@tooltimze]

What a stellar episode!!! Thank you Matt for carrying on the preservation of these historical motorcycles that your father started so many years ago.......and a thank you goes out to folks like Andrew for entrusting those artifacts to The Wheels Through Time Museum.....

[@bartmotorcycle]

Wow what a story, I can only imagine the feeling of opening that stuff up and connecting the history.

[@chuckduzzie8529]

The cities that you mention from time to time … these were great cities that spawned ideas and industries. East St Louis, Battle Creek. The Wright Brothers were from Akron, they trailer the plane to Kitty Hawk for good winds.

[@racer6583]

Finally you all got the incredible amount of history for the 1919 flexible sidecar racer. When you unwrapped the trophy you looked like a five year olds first time in a sweet shop, that smile looked like it was going to be permanent. 👍👍👍👍

[@nicksothep8472]

This is really awesome, that all this old related stuff is coming from the family and it's now togheter with the bike becoming part of the exhibit.

[@keeptwowheelsdown]

Crazy how the bike world works. To get the history from a family member, amazing. I heard the speculation of this bike at your museum in August with my son. Simply ment to be! LUCKIEST DAWGS EVER! Stay in the hunt!

[@Ronaldl2350]

To have the bike And all the related historical stuff to go along with it. Is just absolutely amazing! The racing documentation looks to be significant all alone.

[@jefferyholland]

Cliff is smiling in motorcycle heaven right now. What an amazing find to have the bike and the history united again. Worth the trip to visit Maggie Valley right there.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

💯% WOW This bike went from not much History to History Treasure complete = AWESOME👀......Thanks Matt 👍 Old Shoe🇺🇸

[@chrismclain8587]

Your father is looking down and smiling job well done sir

[@Klassiccycles]

Thanks Andrew and Matt for bringing this history to light.

[@brianrichards517]

To have that bike and trophy reunited after all these years how incredible so awesome of Andrew to make that happen and how cool that he saw the article to find his great grandfather's bike

[@cosmovet44]

This is true treasure for Wheels through Time! Exciting to have the history with the motorcycle!

[@deepprey2776]

That’s what I admire about you. The history is just as important as the bike itself. Thank you for preserving all of it.

[@jameskennedy4849]

All I can say is wow thanks for sharing and thanks to the palmer family what a great story 😊

[@randydunning7584]

And this is why I watch! Where else can you see and hear this stuff run? Amazing.

[@hdbikerdave5835]

I was at the museum about a week ago for the day and got to watch and hear several bikes run. Never gets old visiting. Wish I could have been there for that start up and run. Thanks for sharing this and everything related to the museum.

[@paulpaul5606]

One of the best videos yet. Got my heart pumping

[@darrellkelly7614]

Matt buddy, Today was a very good day at wheels. And thank you for sharing it with the world.

[@garyseaton4619]

It is such a valuable piece of motorcycle racing history. Thank you so much for sharing. Can't wait to see what else comes of this dramatic find. Once again, another reason to visit and spend a month...

[@heavyt749]

Fantastic! Great to see the bike and history back together!

[@richc767]

Found your channel from the last November give away. I love everything you have. I will get down to the museum now that I know of you!

[@donaldelder540]

I’m not a Harley fan, but your enthusiasm has had me subscribed for the last year. I really appreciate these old bikes, and you bringing them to us around the world

[@fearsomename4517]

It's great and rare when things like this happen. So glad you got the trophy and photos, all that information you haven't gone through yet. Great news, Matt!

[@davidbeaver39]

Absolutely amazing Matt. Just incredible to now have the history of the racing bike as well as the bike together. What an incredible addition to the museum's stock of incredible historical bikes. Gotta get there and have a mind blowing visit.

[@demandred1957]

Cool seeing the video on this bike. I had just got to the museum as you were firing it up, and missed all the before firing talk.

[@stevethepirate123]

My favourite episode so far. Bloody amazing

[@GeorgeSharp-rv6ez]

That is so cool to be able to tie all of the history together. My comments are a little late, but I just saw this. Hopefully I will be able to visit your museum before long. Take care.

[@jasontraynor6721]

Fantastic history mate. Great to watch. Even here in Australia, Harley Davidson's are legendary. Well done

[@markbrown-us4xe]

A very proud moment for Michigan. Thanks for all involved. I will walk a little taller for the next few days.

[@alanquintus2069]

The most intriguing for me is how that old boy won a National championship at the age of 7. Even back then in the racing world seven years was pretty old. What a warrior!

[@chriscrookson8524]

I've never seen you lost for words Matt 😄. You're enthusiasm and devotion to your Museum shines through like a laser beam! So glad I found your Channel. I live in the Mountains of Northern Thailand, in the "Golden Triangle" region. Your videos are a very welcome distraction from the quiet, rural existence we enjoy here! Thank you!

[@zedhead2864]

WOW! So amazing! What I wouldn't give to be there as you went thru those scrap books. Many thanks to Andrew for his generosity.

[@kevinhall2266]

One in a million reuniting of an amazing rider and his bike. Thanks for sharing this amazing excitement.

[@John-cc1pc]

Amazing stuff. Thrilled that he contacted you. Hope you can get him down to you to share stories and the whole experience. Awesome. Just sooooo exciting. Safe rides 👍🤜

[@cqcq374]

Way to cool. Thanks for persevering history like this! Neat to see a bike from michigan only 20 or so miles south from where I was born and raised and still live. Thanks Matt for doing videos like this!

[@jeffreyintn]

Absolutely amazing! This one really made me smile…

[@nealkeith299]

There is a group of bus enthusiasts that own Flxible buses, many that have been converted to RVs. I have owned two, and currently own a 1956 Vista Cruiser. These were built in Loudenville Ohio. They were named for the sidecar.

[@mattskustomkreations]

This is so incredible! Your channel & the track bike collection inspired me to make a LEGO track bike video / how to build. Keep up the good work!

[@themotorhino1331]

I don’t know why, Matt, but when history comes together on these bikes and in your care it makes me tear up. These families that contribute to the provenance are doing the right thing. It no only keeps the history alive, it also keeps the spirit of their relative alive. The museum then becomes so much more to them than it could ever be for us. I can’t wait to see it in November when me and the fam come down for the weekend.

[@bbgdaddy5198]

Very cool bike!! Just got back from a riding trip up to Maggie Valley. The excitement of your staff about this bike really drew me in and it was obvious that you were were so anxiously awaiting the arrival of this box. It's something you just have to see in person. I have been watching wheels through time vids for a long time but the visit put a whole new look on it. It was time well spent and a return trip is necessary. Thank you to the family who has allowed the rest of us to share their history with such a cool bike.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thanks for watching and stopping by! We're glad you enjoyed.

[@randylucas2458]

I regularly ride through the North Carolina mountains as I live on the other side in Tennessee I've been to the Wheels through Time museum a few times this summer and my favorite part is the board track section although the giant snowmobile looking thing is pretty cool

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thanks for coming by!

[@A-Cat-in-Dogtown]

Thank you so much Matt, I've been watching and enjoying these videos for a long time, but I'm not sure if I've ever taken the time to say "Thank You", so...THANK YOU!!!

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thank YOU for your interest and for being a subscriber!

[@mconfluence]

That so wonderful. One day before I leave this blue and green ball I would love to visit this wonderful place that your dad built and you are going to keep it going through time of wheels.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

We would love to have you!

[@mconfluence]

@@wheelsthroughtime thank you. Hopefully someday

[@jerrykruse8807]

Awesome stuff. How lucky to find the history of such a beautiful bike and piece of history. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevethepirate123]

Still waiting on part 2, really really would love to see more on this and the amazing stuff

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Coming soon! Keep an eye out.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

There was a Harley Davidson Dealer in Battle Creek MI named George Danke.. He was quite the character. His wife left him for another Man. Some how that Man got the Battle Creek Harley Dealership away from Geore Danke .. Danke was bitter about this his whole life.. He later Became a high Volume Yamaha Dealer. Even in very recent years his rider raced his Yamaha XS-650 bored to 750 cc's at vintage road races. They won a vintage road race at Road America Rice Lake WI. Danke was a hard core flat Track racer in his younger years. He had many Trophies. In later years he Sponsored many flat Track racers in the area. He showed customers how to service and maintain their own bikes to save money. He took every classic bike of every brand you can imagine in on Trade for new Yamaha's He ran his Motorcycle parts store until months before he passed away at age 87. He told me that he had three pole barns full of classic Motorcycles that he took in on trade and had not gotten in tip top shape to resell. George Danke passed away about three years ago. I recently found out that one of his sons sold the whole collection of classic bikes to one buyer..

[@terrydavis9931]

These vlogs are so addictive! I don't own a Harley Davidson but I'm totally hooked on your passion for the marque.

[@parkerwier7567]

That is actually so cool, I definitely want to see the history of this bike in more detail!

[@timinla64]

Given the rarity of the bike, and the engine..and the fact that both were found in the same area, I’d imagine there’s a pretty good chance both started out together. Records from that era are probably tough to locate. What an incredible find!

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Once in a lifetime!

[@ttdolson1]

Simply amazing Matt… So glad that this history found you.

[@apiaryandy2478]

You should restore that bike and paint it back to like he had it racing. I think that would be so cool. A tribute to Cliff Palmer and his family!

[@DougSamm]

CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎈 All I can say !!! Just spectacular story, beginning to end ! Thanks for sharing the passion you and your dad both share !!! Incredible…

[@DougSamm]

ANDREW ! Thanks so much for your generosity !! Your G Grandpaw would be So Proud to know if his place in This Musem !! Absolutely the right call.. more prestige being presented in this format,, than any other. I truly believe you’ve done the right thing here !!!

[@SutediMoto]

I can’t stop watching. Quite a loved, unique and hallowed ground you have of American history. Your upmost respect for the motorcycles and the people who rode them, as well as appreciation for the history is more than anyone could ever wish for their bikes and legacies. Makes me want to come out from California on my old Honda 750 one of these days! What an honor and gift to have in your collection.

[@SGTJDerek]

Preserving legacies you & your Pop have created your own.

[@JBizkit85]

This is ultra cool to see, being that I am born and raised in Battle Creek, MI. If you have heard of Battle Creek before, it's likely due to it being known as "Cereal city," as this is where the Kellogg brothers and C.W. Post set shop. I would love to follow this story. Thank you for your amazing work, Matt!

[@peaceprayer595]

Wow...this is just incredible. Special thanks to the family for sharing this with us!

[@mraycgz]

In the vintage guitar hobby we use black lights to see stuff the eye can’t. I’m not sure if it would help on that side car but you may get a surprise if it did.

[@Channel53official]

How awesome is that flexible sidecar wheel system!!

[@Derf1313]

Holy Smokes ! Definitely looking forward to a full layout of that history, hard to believe it found a way back into the light! I'm about 20 miles north of Mt. Garfield, so trying to find old history is difficult at best. & With all the Michigan connections, sure would be nice to know more... Thanx !

[@glock40armor3]

Matt, All those historical documents should be stored in a fireproof vault , once you transfer all of that to electronic software. Wonderful history !

[@danielcombs3048]

Beyond Cool Matt, reminds me of when I helped my Dad to restore his Peashooter. Top of the line machine's for the day. Great work WTT👍

[@waynecreech]

What a cool thing to happen! I am really glad this all fell together for you Matt..

[@ironspur2000]

That’s amazing to be able to put the two together again! Without DWTT chances are this never would have happened.

[@t.s.racing]

W.T.T. 🇺🇸💪 Thanks Matt, one of the best videos ever 👍 God bless you and of course the Palmer family. I'm thinking the solder on the spokes were for balance ?

[@wheelsthroughtime]

They way this was done was to keep the spokes from flexing as opposed to using wire at the outer end of the spoke for balance. They wound copper wire around the intersection of two spokes, then filled it with solder to provide more rigidity to the wheel.

[@Pacsuper7]

Really intresting! Very nice seeing the bike getting connected to its history again. Good job!

[@robbuboy68]

That side car is look like a dutch wooden shoe. Very nice thanks and greetings from Holland

[@nighttrainist]

The sound of that f-twin...amazing!

[@marioflavin2141]

Great to watch your like a kid at Christmas opening that box well done.