Black Bikers Experience

  

My story is a rather simple story. I’m a female motorcycle rider who has been honored to meet some of the most fascinating and motivating leathery outlaw motorcycle riders around the country. They felt safe enough to speak with me about their journeys and experiences while out on the road riding their motorcycles.

  

Some things I’ll take to my grave and some I’ve shared with you through my writing. When I was encouraged to start this project of having our history as black bikers captured in one location I didn’t know what would come of it. I wanted to educate all bikers about our rich addition to the sport of motorcycling. We as black bikers have our own way of expression when it comes to this motorcycle thang. We tend to have a more flamboyant style then most within the motorcycle sub-culture.

  

I often wondered why I was chosen to do this. Along the way I spoke out rather candidly on topics most wouldn’t dare to touch. I wasn’t afraid to speak mind. I even gave Harley-Davidson hell on not including African American Harley Riders in the Harley story and for not giving the respect and appreciation we deserved for the support we’ve given with equal acknowledgement over the years as they’ve done with our white biker brothers and white biker sisters.

I want to thank Harley-Davidson Motor Company for finally reaching out to including our rich history as Black Harley Riders in the Harley story. We are a vital part of the story and they are now making a conscious effort in getting it told.

  

I was afforded the opportunity to go to the Harley-Davidson Museum and get interviewed by some of the most loving and friendly folks there. I was chosen by Harley-Davidson to be interviewed at the corporate location in Milwaukee 11-11-11. I was honored to fly all expenses paid by them to Milwaukee to meet two other exciting African American riders, the Harley Marketing team and my new special friend the walking Renaissance man, Jim who’s over the archive department at Harley.

  

This is our story not mine. Others paid a price for me to be here and I humbly give honor and respect to them at all times. I’ve created a video from some of the pictures that were taken. I promise to keep you informed of the opening date in February 2012 when the exhibit starts.

My fearlessness to confront the topics that most wouldn’t; especially a black female rider has opened many doors for me within our community and I am very grateful. I strongly encourage all black riders to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum.

 

  

Related articles

• African American riders from Harley-Davidsons’ perspective (goldie1779.wordpress.com)


• Harley-davidson | American Iron, Ingenuity & Perseverance (theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com)


• Eleanor Harley Davidson Cafe Racer (returnofthecaferacers.com)

Popularity: unranked [?]

  

There’s no doubt, racism is alive and thriving in America. I’m a history junky. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a person, place or thing. If I find it interesting; I’ll research it to study myself approved. Because knowledge is power and I want to share this with those who take the time to visit this website.

 

 

So, what’s all the fuss about racism? Well as I’m confronted with it, I will give a depiction of the source so maybe some light might come from its exposure. I currently live in Georgia that’s why I found it necessary to share my personal experience on this issue; matter of fact as resent as today I had someone spew some cowardly ignorant racist comment to a post of mine on a Facebook Page called Harley Davidson Riders of Atlanta.

 

 

During slavery Georgia was the number one state out of the nine southern states who didn’t want slavery dismantled. Thomas Jefferson introduced a bill designed to end slavery, not all of the southern Founders were opposed to slavery. According to the testimony of Virginians James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Rutledge, it was the Founders from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia who most strongly favored slavery.

 

 

Yet, despite the support for slavery in those States, the clear majority of the Founders opposed this evil. For instance, when some of the southern pro-slavery advocates invoked the Bible in support of slavery, Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, responded:

 

 

“Even the sacred Scriptures had been quoted to justify this iniquitous traffic. It is true that the Egyptians held the Israelites in bondage for four hundred years . . . but . . . gentlemen you cannot forget the consequences that followed: they were delivered by a strong hand and stretched-out arm and it ought to be remembered that the Almighty Power that accomplished their deliverance is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

 

 

So, what’s all the fuss about racism?

 

 

 

 

Ok, I joined this Facebook Page called Harley Davidson Riders of Atlanta. I posted a link that had my website information to promote education on Black Motorcycle Clubs and so much more. So Keith Robinson of Dallas, GA decided to respond to the link in a rather racist way. Am I shocked? No…however it fascinates me that the administrator of the Facebook Page hasn’t blocked him yet.

 

 

I took time to go through all 177 member profiles in the group and discovered just by the pictures; I’m the only Black Harley Rider. Is that strange? Yes, because there are a lot of Black Harley Riders in Atlanta, GA. I’d like some feedback. Speak your mind, please.

 

 

1. What would you do if you posted this link and read this response to your post? 


2. How would you respond or react to this coward? 


3. Would you unsubscribe to this FacebookPage? 

Rush Limbaugh has ridden that pony with impunity. Such tastelessness is what is expected from someone who joked that he’d like to own an NFL franchise because he fancied owning some black men. Keith Robinson I bet this is your favorite radio personality.

 

 

The Right (racist) doesn’t like the fact that there’s a black man in the White House who isn’t serving coffee, and the Left (racist) doesn’t like the fact that there’s a black man in the White House who’s smarter than they are and who doesn’t do what they order him to do.

 

 

I need your help again with this statement from racist. Now repeat after me, “Some of my best friends are “blacks.” (As Donald Trump said). When racist are confronted about their actions that one of the things you can expect them to say; as if that’s suppose to let them off the hook.

 

 

Since I’m living in the Peach State I’d like to know who’s under that sheet. I don’t have a problem with removing myself from those who think, act and feel this way about any people of color. I captured the comments to my post and you can read them below. I will reiterate, “There’s no doubt, racism is alive and thriving in America”.

 

 

 

 

 

Goldie Sowers

 

Read A Blog – Black Bikers Experience – Black Motorcycle Club History & More!

 

 

www.readablog.com

 

 

Black Motorcycle Club History & More!

 

 

Top of Form

 

 

Thursday at 12:57pm · Like · · Unsubscribe

 

 

• 
  

  • 
    
    
    
    Keith Robinson I DON’T RIDE WITH NIGGERS, JIGABOOS, SPEAR CHUNKERS, MOON CRICKETS, PORCH MONKEYS, ARE WITH THUGS WITH THEIR DAMN PANTS ON THE GROUND.

     

     

    Friday at 9:06am · Like
    

  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    
    Karen Gray Davis If you’re going to try and insult someone Keith at least educate yourself to get your grammar and spelling right! Just makes you look more ignorant
    

    Friday at 10:06am · Like
    

  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    
    C Dean Welch Keith is a jerk and needs to be kicked off this site
    

    Friday at 10:38am · Like · 1 person
    

  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    
    Keith Robinson Please kick me off
    

    10 hours ago · Like
    

  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    
    Karen Gray Davis Somebody should what the hell is wrong with you posting stuff like that! If you hate the group you can always leave or not post
    

    10 hours ago · Like
    

  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    
    Goldie Sowers ‎@Keith 1st thank u for sharing ur ignorance. 2nd I know u dont have the heart to say that racist shit to our faces. U hide under a sheet and let me b the 1st to let u know that times have changed. Us Niggas aren’t afraid to confront ur ass. Hey let’s meet so u can tell me to my face what u think of black bikers.
    

    about an hour ago via Facebook Mobile · Like
    

  
  
  • 
    
    
    
    
    C Dean Welch He is such a coward he won’t post a picture that shows what he really looks like much less agree to meet in the light of day so everyone can see what the face of stupidity looks like.
    

    34 minutes ago · Like
    

     

     

    
    

  
  

Bottom of Form

Related articles

• African American Riders from Harley-Davidsons’ Perspective (goldie1779blackbikers.com)


• The Founding Fathers and Slavery (via Battlefield America) (unclesamsboot.wordpress.com)


• Oldest Black and White Motorcycle Club in Nebraska (goldie1779blackbikers.com)


• 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster, Touring & Trike – First Look (ridermagazine.com)

Popularity: unranked [?]

If you think it’s was a fluke that the Wheels Of Soul is being indicted; think again. Feds have started an all out war on Black & Interracial Outlaw MC’s. I want to remind folks to be mindful of what you post on Facebook, what you say on your phones and the company that you keep. Stay away from snitches.

 

Read this news release that coincidentally was written the day the Feds came down on the Wheels. Who’s next?

*************************************************************************************************************

Related articles

• Chosen Few motorcycle gang is targeted in crackdown (latimesblogs.latimes.com)


• Wheels Of Soul MC Trumped Up Fed Charges…Straight Bullshit (goldie1779blackbikers.com)

Popularity: unranked [?]

Harley-Davidson honors the camaraderie and influence of African American riders within our family. Iron Elite showcases the rich history, inspiring stories and custom bikes. Discover the bikes, the brotherhood and reasons to ride.

  

  

Related articles

• 2011 National Bikers Round Up Itinerary (goldie1779blackbikers.com)

Powered by Disqus

Popularity: 1% [?]

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

Popularity: unranked [?]