About Us - Chapter History
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WILLIE G AND HOW HE CAME TO BE ... (In Denver)
August, 1988
By Ginger Dean - Historian 2010
As you all know now, the person in the photo for the Editor's
Challenge this month is none other than William G. Davidson., or
"Willie G."
Before I talk about Willie G let me refresh your memory on how he
became such an icon to the motorcycle industry, for Willie G is
not the founder of Harley Davidson, but one of the 13 saviors of
Harley Davidson.
Harley Davidson was started in 1903 by the three Davidson’s,
Arthur, Walter and William A. as well as William S. Harley. They
constructed a wooden shed and painted the words - Harley Davidson
Motor Company, on the door. From that point forward Harley-
Davidson’s early history is well documented as to their success.
[I know I skipped about 5 decades, but it is all to get to Willie
G. before you all go to sleep in this history lesson.]
In 1969 Bangor-Punta tried to force a hostile takeover of Harley-
Davidson with the intent of breaking it up and selling it off.
H-D realized that they needed to protect themselves and look for
an American company strong enough to buy them and understanding
enough to perpetuate the H-D business. They thought they had
found that in AMF American Machine and Foundry. [Ok you can all
grown now]
Well AMF did nothing for Harley-Davidson except ruin its
reputation and almost force H-D into bankruptcy...
Enter Willie G.
William G. Davidson is the grandson of William A. Davidson.
Willie G graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree
in Graphic Art and Mastered at the Art Center College of Design
in Pasadena, CA. Willie G was already part of the design
department at H-D, and when AMF took over he was promoted to Vice
President of Styling.
When the company hit the skids in 1980 Willie G. and 13 other
company executives raised the money to buy Harley-Davidson back.
Willie G and some of the other new owners of H-D began to tour
the country to listen to Harley owners and find out what they
liked and didn’t like about their bikes. They took each idea and
slowly began to rebuild the reputation of H-D and put out some
great new machines.
In August of 1988 Willie G and many other Harley owners were on a
ride from California to Milwaukee. And gosh darn - they stopped
in Denver. Many of the RMHOG members went out to meet them at
Simms Landing. It was a party! Some of our members rode on the
next leg with Willie. And for one, brief moment in time. RMHOG
had Willie G right in our midst.
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[About Us]
Now many of you old timers know the entire history
of Harley Davidson from the first power train single-cylinder
motorized bicycle in 1903 to the newest bikes now available in
2010. But some of us are just now discovering the History of
Harley Davidson.
[Oh, and by the way - Willie G skull logo, Yup - he designed it.]
Willie G wanted Harley-Davidson to be an American company and
only an American company. He knew that this was the only way to
resurrect the company and save his Grandfather’s dream. The Buy-
Back team celebrated with a new slogan "The Eagle Soars Alone".
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOG
MAGICAL MYSTERY BUS RIDE (1987-1989)
By Ginger Dean - Historian 2010
Once upon a time -in our HOG history
There was a bus ride... a magical mystery
A couple of bikers defiantly worth their salt.
Created this ride; Bettlejuice and Walt.
Now, how it happened, some say
Was because of horribly snowy day.
When all were cranky and in a cuss
Walt said Hey! I'll get my Grey Hound Bus!
So he and Bettlejuice devised a plan
To provide a secret ride, ala booze & beer cans
They would take a magical mystery bus ride.
With driver Walt as the all knowing guide.
So at 6:00 p.m. - they all loaded up.
Bikers and friends, each had a cup.
And each stop they went from bar to bar
Drinking in-between and being ... as they are,
Articles of clothing would mysteriously disappear.
Someone from the back yelled "Throw me another beer!
Also waning was their speech and consciousness.
And a small voice pleads "Can someone please find my dress?"
At 2:00 a.m. the bus came to the last stop.
Time to go home - but most just dropped.
Designated drivers were in high demand
Hopefully, thinking ahead they all had planned.
This poem is dedicated to:
Bettlejuice - (real name unknown)
Former RMHOG member, (Whereabouts unknown)
And Walt Hankinson,
Former RMHOG member, former Grey Hound Bus Driver. (Now Deceased)
Special thanks to Night Owl
