Sometimes people rant and rave about a place, building it up, only to result in unmet expectations. That is not the case with Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum. During our recent trip to southwest North Carolina some friends and I visited the museum in Maggie Valley, NC and my expectations were met and exceeded.
The unassuming building holds an amazing amount of history
Maggie Valley is a nice town that sits on US 19 on the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 35 miles west of Asheville, NC and 66 miles east of the famous Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon.
We arrived early Sunday morning and there were only two other motorcycles in the parking lot. We were greeted by some great vintage bikes before entering the building. Once in we were welcomed by very friendly staff.
1913 Thor racing bike (Video by Jerry Bryant) - subscribe to YouTube Channel
We arrived early Sunday morning and there were only two other motorcycles in the parking lot. We were greeted by some great vintage bikes before entering the building. Once in we were welcomed by very friendly staff.
One of the bikes on the outside steps
What a nice Harley
A staff member answered many of our questions and started telling us about different bikes. We learned that all the bikes are American made and nearly all of them would run. Using their computer in the gift shop I showed him the photos of my grandpa's bike on my blog and asked if they had one like it in the museum. He directed me to two bikes and he felt it was one of them, either the 1915 or 1916 Harley. It was cool to see the bike up close.
This might have been the same model my grandfather rode.
As we continued looking the owner's son Matt came by and spent a great deal of time with us. He told us many interesting stories about different bikes and how they acquired them. He told us the history of different makes and styles. He talked to us about flat track racing, dirt racing, hill climbing, and the historic Jack Pine enduro races.
Matt also started up 5 different bikes for us. One of them was 100 years old! A very rare 1913 Thor 1000c race bike - watch the video below - turn up the sound and hear Matt tell us about the bike.
Matt also told us the history to the Jack Pine enduro race and how they got the Harley-Davidson with sidecar that had raced in the Jack Pine several times. He then fired it up for us.
Jack Pine race (Video by Jerry Burden)- subscribe to YouTube Channel
There were so many bikes and many were rare. The rarest was the one of a kind Traub. The 1917 Traub was found bricked up in an apartment in Chicago in 1967. There is no information about the builder. (For more info click here.)
1917 Traub - a true one of a kind
There are 26 different American made brands in the museum. The history is amazing and the personal attention the owner Dale and his son gave us was awesome. Too many bikes and too much information to put in a post. If you are anywhere near Maggie Valley do yourself a favor and visit the Wheels Through Time museum. I really don't think you will be disappointed. Below are a few more photos to enjoy.
DOT approved ???
A rare Elk in running condition
Check out the big rear fender
Flat track racer
American made ACE
Board trac racing display
Military Harley
Many more bikes, parts, cars, and more are on display at the museum. If you enjoy motorcycle history this is the place to visit. A bonus is all the great roads to ride while you are in the area.
Ride carefully and prayerfully!
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