Week 260A - Sturgis Black Hills Rally - 08-07-2011

Sturgis Black Hills Motorcycle Rally

On the Northern side of the city is this proud sign. But if you know about the Sturgis Rally you don't need a sign.

When you arrive into town as we did five days before the rally starts, everything you see is "motorcycle". Bikes cruising, bikes parked, bikes on lifts getting oil changes and new tires, hundreds of vendor tents selling anything remotely related to bikes.

During the rally this street will be filled everyday with thousands of bikes parked on both curbs and down the center. Official Sturgis clothing will be for sale in a hundred different locations.

The rally began in 1938 with flat track racing and hill climbs. Today that is still going on as well as rides through the Black Hills and further. We met a few riders who after arriving at Sturgis are riding to Yellowstone Park and back; a ride of over 900 miles. Or you can meet with friends, attend concerts and parties and other events.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museums displays and celebrates motorcycles and the rally.

Two floors display over 90 vintage motorcycles.

The 50th anniversary of the rally, in 1990, when over 400,000 riders came. The attendance in years since has never dropped below that number.

The founder of the rally was Clarence "Pappy" Hoel who purchased the Sturgis Indian motorcycle franchise in 1936. The museums is filled with Indians. This 1911 model is in original condition. Further down in this travelogue you can see a refurbished 1911 Indian.

The 1949 Indian Papoose is as small as it looks.

This 1938 Indian Chief was produced in the same year as the first Sturgis Rally.

The 1927 Indian had a 750cc engine, wow!

1948 Indian Chief, beautifully restored.

1918 Indian Model "O" light twin.

This little 1947 Cushman is a two-seater!

1932 Harley Davidson Model B.

A very stylish 1947 Indian Chief and sidecar.

The original production of this 1910 Indian Tri-Car had a seat mounted in the front for a wild ride.

Here is the restored 1911 Indian.

BMW's trademark is the opposed twin cylinder engine as shown in this 1938 R71.

This specially built cycle has every possible part chromed.

The Honda Gold Wing was first introduced in 1975 at a whopping price of $2,800.00. Today, you can spend $25,000.00 or more.

Pete dreamed about the Honda Dream as many in America did. However, he couldn't afford any motorcycle until he was out of college in 1971. Then, he lived in Hollywood with the parents of Tom, a best friend. The "parents" said no to motorcycles. So, finally in 1973, on his own, he got his first motorcycle, a Honda twin 175cc street bike. It was a Reality, but no Dream.

1928 Harley-Davidson Peashooter.

Gold plated 1986 Harley-Davidson Anniversary Bike.

Pandemonium has a 92 cubic inch motor with a blower! That's 1507cc and quite a ride for the 70's.

This sidecar is totally enclosed, so now the wife is happy!

The Excelsior-Henderson bike is awesome, but the company did not survive.

This 1925 "slightly modified" Henderson has a V-8 engine.

The basement of the museum has a lot of unique bikes. If the British bikes are real, why isn't there any oil on the floor?

When you get to Sturgis, enjoy the event but also check out the museum.

Photos from Aug 2011