(Words and photos by Bob Chiluk) – We were spending some family time in the Smokie Mountains trying to get away from all the big city stuff we are around at home. So I take off from the cabin to look for a pair of Indian moccasins and maybe a totem pole for the front yard. I tell my wife I’ll be right back (ha!) . So I take off to do some exploring and take a road that says “Tail Of The Dragon” (look it up!) and end up in a picturesque little town of Maggie Valley Tennessee . If you have seen the Velocity Channel’s “What’s In The Barn” you will know that this is the home of Dale Walksler’s “Wheels Through Time” museum which houses a fantastic collection of over 300 motorcycles and memorabilia that will have your jaw dropping.
With well known marques like Harley Davidson, and Indian well represented, there are almost 30 other brands that make up the early years of motorcycle history that have been unearthed from their decades of slumber. With Dale’s whole life devoted to working on the two wheeled wonders that roared in the past, he has put together a fantastic display of these time machines for all to enjoy. With everything from early obscure manufactures prototype bikes, to board racers and hill climbers, to choppers and race bikes, this is the only museum of American only bikes of its kind. And if you think these are a keep your distance and admire from afar you are mistaken.
As we were talking to Dale about these machines and if they run, he calmly walked around the 1918 all original Harley Davidson factory race bike we were standing by and with one kick it started right up, and it sounded glorious! Dale was kind enough to let us gawk and photograph these magnificent time capsules with our trusty Kodak Instamatic and upload them to BangShift headquarters via smoke signal for your enjoyment!
Click on the amazing photos below to expand them and scroll on through –
I was there 3 weeks ago and what an awesome museum! Correction though, its in Maggie Valley, North Carolina not Tennesee.
That weekend they had the Wall of Death on the front lawn and it was an experience I will never forget!
It was cool talking to Dale, what a down to earth person. He has currently 356 bike in the museum. He started a 1910 Thor while I was there and for a 100+ yr old bike, it sounded mean!
I just noticed going thru the photos, you have a pick of the white Thor that Dale started.
What no photo of the Crocker? J/K! Great pictures!
Just to agree that this place – and Dale – are amazing. I stopped in on the way back from The Ohio Mile (I took the scenic route) and Dale took time to look at Mutt the race truck and seemed to enjoy my build.
Also, he had the HORIZONTAL twin Harley out (Built during WWII and based on a Zundap design, along the lines of a BMW) and after driving it out of the museum he invited some bike folks there to DRIVE IT!!!! I still can’t believe it. A gent took it around the building but a fuel leak developed so they had to stop the test rides.
If you foks get anywhere near Maggie Valley (yes, it’s in NC) stop in. You won’t regret it.
Dan