For the past decade, Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson Museum has given motorcycle enthusiasts and novices an in-depth look at the iconic brand and its unique culture.
With special exhibits ranging from drag racing to Evel Knievel, and the permanent collection featuring the world’s last remaining 1909 Harley-Davidson and the bike that Elvis Presley bought in the early 1950s before signing his first record deal with Sun Records, the museum offers something for everyone.
Behind the scenes, a team of curators and historians keep the bikes and accompanying archives fully restored. They also collaborate with Harley-Davidson Inc.’s corporate office.
Sometimes, the bikes are used for photo shoots. Other times, engineers working on the Harleys of tomorrow look back at the engines of yesterday to see what worked, or what didn’t.
Over the next several months, the crew at the Harley Museum will be subtly transforming the exhibits to give guests a new experience as the museum celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer and Harley-Davidson Inc. celebrates its 115th anniversary over Labor Day weekend.
- Bill Rodencal, lead museum restorer/conservator, replaces the fender strut on the world’s only 1909 Harley.
- Rodencal uses a forklift to remove a bike from storage. Harleys are rotated in and out of the public collection.
- Rodencal fits an armature on a 300-pound engine that will eventually be hung on a museum wall for public display.
- Jeff Mitchell, exhibits technician, secures engine mounts for an upcoming exhibit.
- Leigh Albritton, registrar, measures a blueprint for a 1941 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead engine that will be profiled.
- Tim McCormick, communications projects manager, and Kristen Jones, curatorial and exhibits manager, look at X-rays from Evel Knievel.
