Black Bikers Experience

William B. Johnson


  

The First African American Harley-Davidson Dealer

  

I remembered getting this information from LaGrant Communications. They’re the Advertising Agency Harley-Davidson uses to reach the urban market. It had to have been about 2 years ago. I found it startling that out of 700 Harley dealerships nationwide only 7 were owned by African Americans. I do believe that number has dropped since then.

  

With grace and determination, William Johnson broke down barriers as both the first African American Harley-Davidson dealer, and as the first African American licensed to compete in national motorcycle racing events. Born in Baltimore in 1890, Johnson moved with his wife in about 1917 to Somers, N.Y. (about 60 miles north of New York City), and found work as a chauffeur and handyman. The couple later bought a house in town. William converted a small blacksmith shop on the property into a general repair garage. A reliable and skillful mechanic, Johnson did well for a time, but when the business declined, he decided to become a motorcycle dealer.

  

Though records don’t pinpoint the exact year, Johnson signed on with Harley-Davidson sometime in the 1920s, operating Johnson’s Harley-Davidson out of the converted blacksmith shop that would house the dealership for nearly 60 years. Jim Babchak, the author of a 2009 story about Johnson for American Iron magazine, first visited the dealership in 1969, when he was a teenager seeking parts for an old Panhead.

  

“Johnson’s Harley-Davidson had the intimate feel and smell of a small-town motorcycle dealership,” recalls Babchak. “Parts were hanging from the walls, bikes were stuffed into the showroom with little space to walk, and the parts books rested on a glass counter. The place was permeated with a glorious mixture of gas, oil, and exhaust fumes. If he wasn’t in back working on a bike, Mr. Johnson was there to greet all who entered.”

  

Hillclimb racing was beginning to boom in the 1920s, and a steep slope in Somers behind Ivandell Cemetery was an inviting venue. A deal was struck between the land owner and the American Motorcyclist Association to lease the site for a competition, on the condition that the local favorite, William Johnson, could compete. Like most of American society at the time, the AMA was segregated, but Johnson knew how to play the game – he simply told the AMA he was an American Indian, according to a story retold to Babchak by Pat Cramer, a Harley dealer in Brewster, N.Y. That was good enough for all involved until 1932, when Johnson was challenged by an official at an AMA National event that barred “colored” riders. Johnson proudly produced his AMA membership card, and then won the race. Johnson raced successfully well into his 40s at hillclimb events across New England.

  

Friendly and generous to a fault, Johnson maintained his small dealership through the cycles of the rural economy, the changing times, and the shifting population of the region.

  

“I enjoyed going to dealership because of Mr. Johnson’s embracing personality,” recounts Babchak, “and it was one of the few dealerships in my area that was not intimidating. It was open to all who rode, with no pretense or airs, and just a wonderful old rural dealership, steeped in history and regarded as a Somers landmark.”

  

Johnson continued to work in the shop, assisted by his son, Nelson, until he was well past 80 years old. He died in 1985, at the age of 95, and Johnson’s Harley-Davidson closed for good.

  

Adapted from “Harley’s First African American Dealer,” American Iron magazine, November 2009.

  

Source: Harley-Davidson

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Let’s stop this war of all against all by bridging the gap; each one teaches one.

I don’t think we understand that we gain civil rights in return for accepting the obligation to respect and defend the rights of others. When civilians & the police see you riding a motorcycle with a vest all they see is a biker that belong to a motorcycle gang. They don’t see the color of your skin or know your sex. There will always be a strain of individuals who will find a reason to discriminate with the intent to isolate. Let’s stop being part of the problem and become part of the solution by coming together, ironing out our differences, educate each other and be okay with agreeing to disagree with respect.

It is evident that the terms in which we are operating under are failing in some areas. When failings are found we must renegotiate to change the terms, using methods such as bridging the gap between in-law (99%) bikers & outlaw (1%) bikers and let’s not forget about women riders who ride motorcycles just as hard as our male counterparts.

  

I have a question. Do you violate these roadblocks that keep us at odds even when they are against your self-interest for the betterment of our culture at large? I say yes because the only way we can reach the next level successfully is to have all bikers and motorcycle clubs practice inclusion and open mindedness.

  

I’m very happy to be a part of the bigger picture even though I’m not welcomed to join a Facebook group that is for men only. I respect the intent of the page because it’s trying to get the men on-board before women are welcomed. I believe in natural justice. Natural justice is a pledge of reciprocal benefit, to prevent one man from harming or being harmed by another through education in our motorcycle sub-culture. Bikers or motorcycle clubs who are incapable of making binding agreements with one another not to inflict nor suffer harm are without either justice or injustice; and likewise for those who either could not or would not form binding agreements not to inflict nor suffer harm must be dealt with.

  

Natural law is the enemy of absolute monarchy. I understand that there are some damn well betters in the motorcycle community and those damn well betters must be consistently taught by those of us who have the knowledge and wisdom. Yes that means being open to be taught by another race or sex.

  

Hugo Grotius goes so far as to say in his “On the Law of War and Peace” that even if we were to concede what we cannot concede without the utmost wickedness, that there is no God, these laws would still hold.” The best thing about his statement is that it allows us to force history’s hand by making the necessary adjustment in the motorcycle club world. Since it suggest that power can ultimately go back to the individuals if the society that they have set up forfeits the purpose for which it was originally established, which is to preserve themselves and practice brotherhood and yes sisterhood too.

  

I believe we are under our own jurisdiction. People have rights as human beings but there is an explanation of those rights because of what is possible for everyone to accept morally; everyone has to accept that people as individuals are entitled to try to preserve themselves. We should, therefore, avoid doing harm to or interfere with one another under the guise of being the most dominant motorcycle club in the state. Any breach of these rights should be punished.

  

There are much better ways to communicate with one another to keep the lines of communication open. Fear and intimidation isn’t the answer. We all need to respect one another. OG’s must show respect to the New G’s and the New G’s must respect the OG’s. I seek to solve our problems holistically through prevention and education. Have you ever thought about what the impact of our decisions and behaviors are on our present and future community and world?

  

Nobody’s better than anybody else, especially when it comes to growing the motorcycle community at large. We must meet bikers where they are from newbie to OG. We all can learn a thing or two from one another. Let’s keep an open mind; that may leave room for a worthwhile thought to be dropped in it.

  

There has been talk that there are some OMC’s with police in them. Well from what I’ve been taught that’s like oil & vinegar; they don’t mix; especially when the PoPo was in a prime officer position; like President and National Sergeant At Arms. That does makes you go hmmm… Even though I know the police are one of the biggest gangs out there today along with Politician’s…there is no room for them in an Outlaw Motorcycle Club…LOL

What’s stopping you from bridging the gap? To be continued…

These are the words and opinion of Goldie not my club affiliation…just me black female rider extraordinaire.

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Annual Ride To Work Day! We ask for your support on Monday, June 21, 2010 to demonstrate:

• The number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians.
• That motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life.
• That motorcyclists can reduce traffic and parking congestion in large cities.
• That motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation.
• That motorcycling is a social good.
  
    
  
  

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Hey, even James makes a mistake every now and then. See what it takes to make a TV spot. Outtakes from the new 2010 YZ450F television commercial and microsite. found here: http://www.yamaha-motor.com.

Popularity: 1% [?]