My ultimate accomplishment as the Boozefighters Nat’l Historian was to organize and attend the Harley Davidson Museum opening in Milwaukee. That special event was fulfilled on 6-26-2008. Now I’m passing the History baton on to ‘Donkey’

After that special occasion I was asked by a newspaper reporter, “if you had one word to describe your impression of the new HD Museum what would it be?” My response

AWESOME !!!

Then he asked why? I didn’t take the time to tell him how the watch was built. I just gave him the short answer of what time it was. A special time known as “Boozefighters Day.” But for my brothers & sisters, families and friends I’m going to supply you with a few more details of this ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EVENT. Here are some of the details of how that watch, better known as the “Boozefighters Tribute Bike” got built and put on display in the new HD Museum. It was after all an EL PRIMA DONNA exhibit like none other. It included the first BF’er green shirt that had belonged to Wino Willie (founder) in which we loaned the museum. There were many digitally enhanced pictures of the Boozefighters from the 1947 Hollister event on display as well. Across from that was a big mural background, of a scene from the WILD ONE movie, and in front of it hung Jack Lilly’s old Green & White 3 – star club shirt. A lot more club history information was featured at both locations.

How did this great honor come about? It all started out approximately three years ago. One morning I was monitoring emails that came in via our Nat’l website when one grabbed my attention like gangbusters. It was from a fellow named Bill Rodencal, Motorcycle Restorer – Harley Davidson Motor Company. He was inquiring as to our interest and authorization in allowing him to do a 1940’ in time motorcycle restoration with our club’s trade mark three – star bottle displayed in a promenade place on the sides. He said the bike would be a 45 CI Bobber along the same order that our WWII founders use to put together.

WHO IS THIS? I thought. Some clown try’n to jerk our chain? It had an official HD endorsement on it but heck…spamers, scammers, and hackers can reproduce that kind of stuff all day. I didn’t buy it and was afraid to respond for fear of falling for a trap. I conferred with Duke and some way he checked it out and confirmed that the HD email address was legitimate.

To make a long story not quiet so long…in due time a contract was negotiated. We were asked what our price would be for allowing them to use our name and logo. Through Duke, Big John, and the Board of Directors we considered $1,000 or how about ask for $10,000 one suggested. After all a big International company like Harley Davidson might not bat an eye at that. If they do we can always ask them what they had in mind?

Then we considered the honor and respect for having our heritage displayed by the HD Co in their new museum. They were wanting to portray our club as the roots of the “American Biker.” I through out a question. On a level playing field what would we be willing to pay to receive such unique publicity that will be seen by ten’s of thousands of people for ever and ever so long as the museum exist? A general conclusion was finally reached and I had the pleasure of emailing Bill our hard nose business demand…”WE LIKE BEER!”

As I recall he responded with something like…DO WHAT? I don’t think our legal department can factor or deal with that. So I replied - not only that but we are requesting that you (Bill) attend our Nat’l Meeting as our VIP guest and help serve the beer to everyone. He finally responded that he and his wife would attend and comply but only on conditions that the brew would be a Milwaukee beer. Further that we had to agree to send a large contingent of members to their museum’s Soft Opening and some VIP’s to the Grand Opening. Needless to say some of that language never made it into the contract but by gentlemen’s agreement the deal got done.

Bill and his wife did make it to Fort Worth and stayed in a comp suite we provided. He did a great presentation at our members meeting, showing large poster size pictures of what the museum would look like and the Boozefighters Tribute bike. That night he served numerous kegs of Miller beer.

June 26, 2008 fifty of us attended the Soft Opening of the new museum. It was Boozefighters day and we received the full attention from the museum staff to include the management officers Bill Rodencal, Tom Platz, Jim Fricke and Leigh Albritton. Afterwards they put on a real nice meal featuring many of Wisconsin’s finest treats, to include Milwaukee style beverages.

The best treat of all is when Bill called for our attention and then introduced *Willie G. Davidson. Willie G (as he prefers to be called) visited and took pictures with us all. He is truly a down to earth, nice, and friendly man and he made us feel especially welcomed.

In keeping with the deal on July 12th Big John & Connie plus Big Daddy & Jackie attended the Grand Opening. They too were honored with special VIP greetings from Bill Rodencal and Willie G. Davidson.

A special thanks to Bill for your original creative ideas and getting this historic ball rolling. It brings my HISTORY TRECK to a successful conclusion and it was truly an AWESOME RIDE.

JQ ‘HISTORY’ (Ret.)