In honor of the shop’s more than 50 years of selling, servicing, and representing the brand, the motorcycle’s national corporation based in Milwaukee, Wisc., recently presented the shop with a plaque presented by the regional sales supervisor.

“This is a phenomenal shop and a great brand representation of our company,” said Mike Wegehaupt, Harley-Davidson area sales representative.

However, while the family-run shop is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Harley-Davidson has had a footprint in the Jamestown area for more than 100 years and counting.

“My grandfather started the shop in 1975,” said the shop owner, Matt Eyring. “My sister and cousin also work here – it’s in our blood. My great, great grandfather, John Reid, opened the Gowanda Harley-Davidson shop in 1947, and it’s still open and run by distant family members.”

The Harley-Davidson Shop of Jamestown, located at 951 E. Main St., Falconer, will turn 50-years old next month. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

While the Harley-Davidson brand and motorcycles are well-established in the United States, some intangibles make the bikes an enduring piece of Americana.

“It’s a lifestyle,” said Wegehaupt. “You can drive anywhere in the United States and find a ‘Harley’ dealership within 50 to 100 miles apart. Plus, you have groups and clubs, like the ‘Hog’ groups who ride together – these groups do toy drives, ride against domestic abuse, and escort abused children to court, you name it, and our riders are involved in it.”

Hog stands for Harley Owners Group (HOG), a name that has a unique Southern-Tire tie-in involving a court battle that landed the defendants in federal court.

To support Wegehaupt’s statement, Eyring said, “Almost every Wednesday, we have a hog group who rides 20 or so miles to a restaurant, but it takes them two to two-and-a-half hours to get to their destination–they’re enjoying nature, each other’s company, and their love for their bikes–it really is a lifestyle.”