The Race of Gentlemen at the Harley Museum

The Harley Davidson Museum has become one of Wisconsin's most well known and popular attractions. Opened in 2008, it has brought visitors from around the world to the Milwaukee area. Many of those visitors are motorcycle riders, but many more come to learn the history of this iconic motorcycle. While strolling around the museum it is common to see families in shorts and flip flops mingling with bikers in leather, boots and do-rags.

As a Harley Owners Group member I receive free admission, so I have been there many times. I go once in January or February to get little mid-winter motorcycle buzz and then ride my Harley down once in the summer. Yesterday was the summer trip.

Wisconsin has received a lot of rain this summer, but yesterday was dry. As I rolled onto Interstate 43 south, the sun was shining and it was a comfortable 70 degrees. I had not filled the tank after my last ride, so I stopped in Manitowoc for a fill up and my daily banana snack. Road construction between Manitowoc and Sheboygan slowed the pace, so I was thankful that I was not on anyone's schedule but my own. Once south of Sheboygan it was a easy cruise into Milwaukee and the Harley Davidson Museum parking lot.

The Garage is a separate building from the rest of the museum and houses special exhibits. In June of this year an exhibit titled "The Race of Gentlemen" opened. It closes in September, so I was happy that I was able to work in this trip.

The Race of Gentlemen, or TROG, as it is known, is an event held each June on the beach in New Jersey. It is for cars built in the 1930's and for motorcycles built prior to 1947. The organizers insist on the authenticity of all parts, although the vehicles can be modified. The event itself is not a recreation, but an entirely new concept developed by a group of old car buffs about twelve years ago.

This group was interested in the car racing culture that developed in Southern California after World War II. Returning service members modified motorcycles and cars and raced them in the desert around Carlsbad. These WW II veterans and their vehicles were the inspiration for the group that began TROG. The connection between the veterans and the current racers is explained in great detail within the exhibit.

The Harley Davidson Museum managed to collect an interesting sample of vehicles for this temporary exhibit. The Number 4 Horseshoe Tavern roadster was recreated by a father and son team after finding a picture of the car a a rally in the late 1940's. The 1931 Model A they built eventually raced against another car that had the original Horseshoe Tavern engine installed in it.

Among the motorcycles, my favorite was a WLA bobber. These vehicles all have stories that are as interesting to read as the bikes and cars are enjoyable to look at. This bobber was built by a young man who had to overcome some adversity in his life. The bike project helped him get through it and he rode the old WLA 500 miles to participate in TROG.

If you are interested in taking in this excellent exhibit you have to hurry as it will close September 4, 2017.