Dale sadly died at home on February 3rd, 2021.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dale Walksler, founder ofDale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

I spent many hours over the years chatting with Dale about our common interest in buying and selling Harley-Davidson parts.

With his passion, he opened a shop, Dale’s Hogs motorcycle store in Illinois when he was 18.

Not long after he became the youngest Harley-Davidson dealer in the country at 22 years of age opening a store in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

He used his vast collection of parts to appeal to riders to come and see them and his store. I remember him telling me in those early years he made a point of saving everything because he thought they might be useful in the future…they were.

In 1999 he sold his dealership and relocated to Maggie Valley to start Dale Wheels Through Time.

It took a few years before opening to the public in 2002, and it was slow going at first but appearances over the years on various television shows really helped the museum’s popularity of the American Motorcycle.

One thing that set Dale apart from the rest of motorcycle museums around the world was his presence and knowledge of each individual bike. His face would light up when asked the question – “do they run?”

So many times I have seen that smile on his face, he grabbed the handlebars rolled the bike out of its display, and fired it up right there inside the museum, and more often than not, rode it around inside!

Dale, you will be sadly missed my friend, ride on through eternity.

If you have the chance and are riding in the area stop by and be amazed at the collection of over 350 American Motorcycles and the history Dale amassed over the years, it certainly is jaw-dropping.

下面一个re a few shots from inside the museum where Dale’s legacy will live on…