When you collect classic motorcycles, one question defines the terms of the transaction: restored or original? Many riders can attest to the difficulty of keeping a bike in its original condition, especially with today’s expansive aftermarket. After all, many day-to-day users must adapt their vehicles to the task at hand. For that reason, vintage original motorcycles are hard to come by these days.
Wheels Through Time Museum Associate Director Matt Walksler walks this restored/original tightrope on a regular basis. For those unfamiliar with the North Carolina-based museum, Dale Walksler started collecting motorcycles in 1969. By 1977, Walksler moved his treasured collection to a Harley-Davidson dealership in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. It wasn’t until 2002 that Dale’s prized possessions found a permanent home at a 38,000-square-foot facility in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
