To Restore Or Not To Restore?

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

[@BackroadExploits]

Why do I get the feel I'm watching a kid in a candy store? Matt no denying you share your Dad's enthusiasm and knowledge. Awesome episode! Can't wait to see it rebuilt!

[@David-tz3kv]

His dad is smiling towards his son!

[@BackroadExploits]

@@David-tz3kv ❤❤❤ Fact!

[@mikemarthaller8789]

Long ago I collected antique firearms and airplanes. I totally enjoyed the enthusiasm when discovering the "Rare" birds. Its our "Rolls Royce " in a garage humanity showing through. Thanks 😊

[@spic0li]

I feel so sorry for Matt to have lost his father so suddenly. I work closely with my father as well in business on a daily basis & I can't fathom what it would be like without him.

[@DougFLTRX]

If you've never been to this museum, you have no idea what you're missing. The wife and I finally went this fall. She's not a motorcycle person, but she was as blown away as I was with the place. Matt was a joy to meet in person and converse with for awhile. Andy and Jake were also knowledgeable and great to talk to. Cathy(?) at the front of the museum was friendly as well as the great ladies at the gift shop (Matt's mom? who helped me find the Crocker after I had apparently walked right past it twice because there is so much to take in). I've been trying to get there for almost 12 years and we finally made it in October and it was everything I had ever imagined it would be and then some. I'm going back this Spring hopefully with some friends who are probably tired of hearing me talk about what a fantastic place WTT is. I would quit my machinist job in a heartbeat and move to gorgeous Maggie Valley just to work there for the rest of my life. What a dream career and what a great place Dale, Matt, and friends and family have created. God Bless every one of you

[@rjnation5042]

I'm not really a bike guy, but I love the enthusiasm of Matt & really appreciate the history he knows, great channel, thanks heaps, Rj in Oz

[@Georgiajason]

Damn…. Never a dull moment. In fact Matt, how the hell do you sleep at night with all the amazing things going on around that shop? It’d be a dream to work with and learn about them all.

[@bobtwobeers6286]

Back when I was in the military I bought my first Harley, it was a 48 thru 56 pan. It looked about the same as this video lots of boxes. I took me about 18 months to put it all back together and get it running, and yeah it was chopped down tubes 2inches longer and mouse trap mount welded in. I rode that bike for 8 years and loved it. Its one of the reasons I love these videos. It takes me back to the day.

[@lpd1snipe]

My 49 EL is a Johnny Cash special too.

[@darrellkelly7614]

Matt is an American treasure..what knowledge what passion... Happiest Holidays to all at W.T.T.

[@lpd1snipe]

I really love the episodes like this where you're digging through all the "gold." My first Panhead was a 48 EL. I paid 900 bucks for it and rode it home. That was 50 years ago. I too prefer unrestored/ unmolested bikes myself. The more rusty and crusty the better. I built my current 49 EL 7 years ago using a 1946-47 Knucklehead frame. It's not stock, it's not original, but it's mine. When I'm gone, son will own it.

[@justingreen4450]

That's fantastic. I would like to see your bike if you have any pics. Great job.

[@justinkeller9187]

Rusty crusty is my favorite but, after seeing your shiny stuff, I'm softening up to the painted beauties. All are beautiful

[@stevenpalmer4054]

I would love to see you do a series on a complete restoration part by part how it’s done where to go to get parts redone possibly even showing that person redoing the parts and I realize it would take a lot of time and effort on your part but I think it’s something everyone would like to see you maybe start with going out to where you find the parts bringing it into the shop deciding on what parts to start with first or to send the other parts how to redo the finishes and so on another great video thanks for all that you do

[@davidwood1923]

I Absolutely Love Your Passion for these Relics/Vintage Bikes... You are a Wealth of Knowledge. Thanks for Sharing

[@danielseymour6726]

Please please please 🙏 document and show us the progress on the restoration. Can't wait for the ole girl to show up on a " Motor Monday" !

[@stevefaltis8989]

Damn, Matt, this is so much fun! I’m jealous! Your knowledge and excitement gets me hard…hard to stop watching 🤪

[@timothymcnaughton174]

Like a kid on christmas morning, this was exciting to watch.

[@deucerider430]

I hear “it is only original once” continually. But these machines totally redone are truly original as well! They are then the glistening gems that fueled the fires of the original owners, the folks that have made motorcycling the heartbeat that keeps “our knees in da breeze”!

[@johnjackson8561]

I just love Matt's enthusiasm, like a kid on Christmas morning! 😎👍♥️

[@paulpaul5606]

Great to see you so excited.If I ever go to America I am definitely coming to see you🇬🇧

[@wheelsthroughtime]

We would love to have you!

[@63mymojo]

no substitute for PASSION..... you da man MATT !!!

[@alwaysbroke1976]

This is one really cool bike. I wouldn't do a complete restoration but do a running assembly of it, keep the look it has.

[@mikeheavener2510]

Man I thought I was gonna be telling my 80 year old uncle something he didnt know when I started telling him about you guys until he looked at me and said he has been there once and spent 3-4 hours talking to your dad years ago. You guys told him where to find tires for his 1918 HD

[@justingreen4450]

Absolutely awesome video. You'll have the best 41 Knucklehead on the planet and I can't wait to see it.

[@jbradkilpatrick]

As alway, great video. It’s nice, on a Saturday morning, to sit and watch a longer video. Keep them coming.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thanks for watching!

[@grantbierlmeier7641]

Really enjoyed that rummage and commentary / felt like I was in the room with you - thanks! 🙏👊

[@pipersall6761]

Man dude, Matt you are such an incredible encyclopedia of knowledge about these bikes. Im watching you go through those parts and like wow, he knows each and every one of those parts and where it goes and when it went there. Long life and prosper. You are amazing.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching along! It's a lifetime of passion.

[@paulaabrams7058]

Matt learned by following one of the best, Rest in Harley Heaven Peace Dale 🙏🙏🙏

[@bluzzjazz]

So cool Matt, I'll definitely be watching the resto process!

[@philliplangley9302]

It's awesome to see that your dad's enthusiasm lives through you keep doing what you're doing 👏 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@thevozz]

Fantastic! Love the history of these old jems. Matt ur knowledge is astonishing.

[@christopherseivard8925]

Better than opening presents on Christmas Day! Nice!

[@enricomandragona163]

Makes me proud to have owned and restored early 70's bike"s an XLCH and now a 90% FLH 71 with 30k mi. Just got a history lesson that would take books researching lol. Great video Matt 👍

[@enricomandragona163]

Thanks Matt if you would like to see a video of my 71 1200 dresser lmk. Maybe next year I'll bring her down. Hi Fi green and ermine white.

[@davewallace8219]

the extra parts alone... will be invaluable in completing other projects! those years from 36' to 46' were running prototypes. for shure....great video!

[@gerrypowell2748]

I simply love the enthusiasm,as for the knowledge,amazing❤️

[@dang2473]

Never considered myself a moto nerd, but i think i just might be!🤪 I was just excited as you,Matt,while you were opening the bins!! Finally got to the museum in October, what a great place !! Will be watching this restoration, and look forward to seeing it in person sometime! Wishing you and yours a great Christmas 🎄

[@keeptwowheelsdown]

Great examples of a survivor and a restoration! Personal taste, 39!

[@jameshuffman835]

Matt that's a must restore!!!

[@acr21957]

Really enjoy Matt’s excitement when he starts a new project 😅

[@markkeller1778]

Matt "geeking" out like his pop's! Dig it.

[@alveus8205]

Man, I see that and think, wow, that’s really cool old Harley stuff. Matt knows the difference in the rivets on the air cleaner box.

[@roymackeys]

Man that was like Christmas in my wildest dreams!!!! Not to mention educational!!!

[@talkingrock7011]

Congratulations on another great find !

[@whydahell3816]

I just started to restore a 72 sportster 1000 xlh , I seriously considered gifting to the museum but I'm sure I'd miss it badly. It will go to ya'll one day.

[@MarkFowler1]

Love the look of this bike

[@kevinjohnson8758]

Love it. Good call on leaving it crusty.

[@CamsMachine]

I think you need to have this discussion with your buddy from Bikes and Beards

[@steveshoemaker6347]

WOW HOW AMAZING IS THIS....I would have loved to been there looking at all of that stuff...But in my 80's and my legs are very bad from laying to many bikes layed down l guess.....Thanks Matt....Love your video's man...... Shoe🇺🇸

[@RusThompson]

you got me with this video, can't wait to see them both done. I love it one looking new the other as it was with patina!

[@usmclee65]

Another great find. thanks for sharing !

[@alandohse1977]

Matt, you may want to tour the alcoa plant in Pleasantville, Iowa. If it stiff exits. I did many years ago and was blown away! Hugh place.

[@LordRustyMcAlpin]

Nice basket case. And every piece plus extra. Wow.

[@michaeldulaney2497]

Very nice, I can hardly wait to see it go back together.

[@LongRider47]

Great video and I can’t wait to visit again to see these on display..

[@pipersall6761]

My opinion is that when you have an old bike with its original "patina", take pictures. And then restore it! Make it fresh and new again! Make it shine again and show the colors of life again! I love WTTM but I would love to see all their bikes restored with a "before" picture shown with it.

[@mfreund15448]

Only original once. You can always restore. Can’t make original.

[@ImminghamIronhead]

There's a valid aesthetic in decay. Everyone's different of course, but to me a thing becomes more beautiful when it's obviously been used hard and survived.

[@charlesbolduc2796]

It's awesome to see that you are leaving it as it is because you can't duplicate history or life as it is since the day it was nad

[@MichianaFisherman]

I enjoyed seeing you go through the boxes. I could do the same only a different brand of bike. I hope to visit someday.

[@mavericknonconformist69721]

I want to remember as it was, which was a masterpiece

[@stephenwilliams926]

Imagine if Johnny Cash did a song about the storeman at Harley Davidson trying to build his own bike at home. It would be called a one year only about 100 times over.

[@richardbrewer8301]

No , don't restore it . I love the look of those barn find bikes !!! 😁🥰

[@ludditeneaderthal]

Love the "pile of patina" rebuild... such a pony should (one day?) be a raffle prize

[@Broadshore]

Not going to lie. I LOVE the patina on that old Harley! She just salty and good looking. Change my mind!

[@HarleyGeezer1954]

Great Find.

[@fester73666]

Please leave it original Matt, we all like shiny & beautiful but that bike has it's very own 80+ year story ingrained into the way it is now, very nice unrestored condition, 😎👍

[@twikiriwhi]

Salute from New Zealand.

[@keithspillman]

Love the rusty iron!!

[@wheelsthroughtime]

Us too!

[@patconway6999]

Just tuned in to this episode. At 8.07 you showed the rhino saddle bag that a friend is restoring. Is there any chance that he has recorded that process? Thank you for your enthusiasm caretaking those old bikes as your father did. May he rest in peace.

[@wheelsthroughtime]

You can see it on his instagram - Tommy Tsunami instagram.com/tsunami7254?igshid=Nzg3NjI1NGI=

[@patconway6999]

@@wheelsthroughtime thanks

[@markmcsheffreysr6890]

Do it man I’ve got faith love those bikes

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

We love the crust!!!

[@dbc105]

If you are asking, yes by all means restore. Been a couple years since I've been there, but next time I'm in Maggie Valley I will come through to see what's new.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Too bad all of my old parts are from British stuff, so I guess it goes to ebay. I enjoy these videos of the unboxings. I'm the same way when I get stuff like that. Heck sometimes I get the thrill twice from the same part when I rediscover something I had forgotten I had. Keep the good stuff coming.

[@larspederson1451]

Looks like Christmas came early for ya this year 😊

[@gratefuldriver2362]

Good question!

[@stevefaltis8989]

Matt, I’m laughing at yer excitement! Thanks for yer Pop and your efforts

[@jasonmyers3847]

New chrome and polished aluminum please. It's not often to catch a new video from you guy's. It's always well worth the wait too.

[@mickgerard6696]

Fantastic!

[@christophermoon1291]

Looks nice the way it is

[@offpherj7884]

Excellent!

[@OSOFLHP]

If I was going to a museum to look at old motorcycles I would prefer to see the restoration

[@paulaabrams7058]

Awesome 👌 Matt, just love ❤️ your, I'm a Big Kid on Christmas Morning Smile, ROCK ON AMEN 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@themotorhino1331]

Always look forward to new videos.

[@akulinamackenzie4492]

rumpelstiltzkin in his wonderland ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏

[@jeffreyhill7990]

Always Great videos, a bike that's over 70 years old preserved in that gooder shape ( I know "gooder " ain't a word) but I'm from TN so it don't matter, looking forward to more videos of the restoration

[@wheelsthroughtime]

From Tennessee? You should come by to say hi during our 2023 season. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyhill7990]

Not to worry, I try to be there at least once a year, I love it

[@mikeashcraft4354]

Hey Jeff, if Mick Jagger, who still makes millions, can say the Stones are more gooder now, then it's a word! Love the old school.

[@MarcS4R]

i love them all

[@hdbikerdave5835]

well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@thinman8621]

Amazing a disassembled 41 knucklehead in this condition still survives.

[@pipersall6761]

Do it in cruiser green.

[@Timinator62]

I Love restored Cars and Bikes...but I also LOVE Rat Rod Cars. I'm for Ratting this out if you can't find all the "correct" pieces.

[@acr21957]

Amazing 😮

[@par4par72]

THIS is a bike rebuild! Can't help but think of the Tutles, Paul/Jr. Some people just get off on the wrong direction.

[@FINNIUSORION]

That's a really easy question. When do you restore a motorcycle? Or anything in my opinion. When you can't possibly use it anymore the way it is. Even then sometimes I won't restore on it and instead put it on the shelf and leave it with all those years of character. Just ask my wife 😂. But don't mention wheel bearings. That's something I shouldn't have left alone that time.

[@markhowlett8070]

Great video. Is there a point you wouldn’t do a full restoration and leave the bike as it is.???

[@paulsanderson4139]

IS THAT A PAULI AND GRIFFIN SANDBLAST CABINET WORKED THERE BUILT THEM LOOKS LIKE ONE OF OURS?

[@springersadventures7654]

Great find Matt! Just curious, what is your procedure for cleaning out fuel tanks? After cleaning do you fog with oil or seal coat before putting in fuel? Thanks for always creating such cool videos! Merry Christmas to all of you guys & girls!! Frank

[@johnsb1550]

You guys are amazing 👏

[@jimstretch6109]

Rolling history. Gotta keep these artifacts alive, both the good and the imperfect. It's just "character". But think of the guys in the factories making these bikes. They were coming out of the depression and on the brink of war. Europe was on fire. They were lucky to have jobs. Think of all the houses built in Milwaukee with HD wages.

[@NazNazan-u9z]

I love you and Christmas and Jesus too♥♥♥♥

[@josephcardelle5844]

You guys set the bar high with your raffle bikes the 41 would be a good one

[@victorbitter583]

Surely that 41 is a museum bike only?

[@beerandbbqhobbyist6464]

Where do you find an old bike like this? I’ve looked for years and never seem to find them.

[@Spataman9]

The bins are worth money that’s how good that pile is

[@oldcult317]

Cool!!👍

[@michaelszczys8316]

The only way I handle parts like these is purely by accident without knowing whether they are original or not. Digging through people's $5 boxes at swap meets. My bike looks like that but it is a Triumph and it is mostly aftermarket and homemade parts, except my springer Almost bought an all original 1949 45" flathead in 82 but I wanted a bigger bike.

[@gilesseddon3142]

Can I ask what the handlebars are in the background on the bike with the brown tank early in the vid? Many many thanks ❄️

[@robertpanecki2094]

Imust visit you in the same plaace . Greetings from Poland