S.E. Rochelle Reliability Run -March 30th, 2019, Durham NC

Saturday March 30th 2019

All bikes are welcome but the oldest bike to start and finish wins the prize. 

SCHEDULE:

WHEN: Saturday March 30th, 2019

WHERE: James Joyce Irish Pub

                912 W Main St 

                Durham, NC 27701

Noon - 1PM

Registration (FREE)

1 PM - 2PM

Reliability Run (40 mi) and Duke Campus Photo

3PM - Till 

Award to the Oldest Bike to Complete Run

Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/589235178258323/

1913 & 2013 Reliability Run Vintage Motorbikes from all over the world will started and finished in Durham, NC. A low speed round-trip ride through the Carolina countryside. The ultimate two-wheel attrition test of mechanic and machine. Awards were given to the oldest motorbike successfully completing the ride.  RULES and REGULATIONS: 1) Motorbike must start and finish under own power. 2) Motorbike age determined by manufacturer year, month and serial number. 3) Mechanical stops are allowed but tools an supplies must be stowed on motorbike. 4) This is NOT a race and all local, State and Federal laws must be followed.

Inside Rochelle's Durham shop (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

Sidney Edgar Rochelle (1878-1960) was a veteran, a business man and most importantly to us, a motorcycle enthusiast from Durham, NC, the place a handful of us Ton Up NC boys call home. From 1910 to 1954, SE Rochelle owned and operated the local Harley Davidson/Henderson/Indian dealership formerly located on the corner of Parrish and Corcoran St (and later on Mangum St.) in Durham. This was North Carolina's first Harley Davidson Dealership.

Rochelle not only provided the Durham motorcyclists with bikes, he created a motorcycle community in ways ranging from his promotion of motorcycle related attractions at the local amusement park, to the organization of a riding club and many local versions of the AMA sanctioned Gypsy Day Tour rides. Rochelle's Gypsy Day rides consisted of a round trip from Durham to Greensboro and back. Rochelle's club also traveled all over the USA.

Outside the old shop on Parrish Street, SE Rochelle is 2nd from right. (photo courtesy Durham Library).

Chad and I outside the old 208 Parrish Street location of Rochelle's old shop. It is Dos Perros restaurant now.

Whirl of Death motordome at Lakewood Park in Durham (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

Rochelle's Durham Gypsy Day Tour ride circa 1923  at Trinity College now Duke University.
(photo courtesy of Durham Library)

Durham motorcyclists band together (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

SE Rochelle and his motorcycle club circa 1910 (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

For more information on SE Rochelle, visit the Endangered Durham website, to which I am indebted for much of my knowledge about Mr. Rochelle.

Ton Up NC = Riding, Restoration and Racing of Vintage Motorcycles

-Brian/Chad

SE Rochelle Ride-In, April 15, 2018

What: SE Rochelle Ride-In

When: Sunday, April 15,2018 1:30pm est

Where: Central Park Tavern

704 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, NC 27701

Join us for the 3rd edition of the SE Rochelle “Ride-In” on April 15, 2018 at Durham’s Central Park Tavern to honor one of NC’s legendary motorcyclists, Sydney Edgar Rochelle.

In 1910, during motorcycling’s infancy, Mr.  Rochelle became North Carolina’s first Harley Davidson dealer. In the early 1900’s, a Durhamite could waltz into Sydney’s Radio and Accessories shop at 405 Mangum Street, plop down $300 in cash and roll out on a brand new Harley for “Health, Life and Sport,” as Rochelle’s newspaper ad read. It was a new dawn in transportation and Sydney was ahead of his time. In addition to selling the dream, he lived it. He started a local motorcycle club that took cross country tours, added motorcycling’s legendary wall of death to the festival at Lakewood Park and organized the local AMA Gypsy tour down Route 10 to Greensboro.

A century later in April 2012, with twenty other vintage motorcyclists, we resurrected the historic reliability ride to Greensboro, NC. On old Route 10, we followed in the tiretracks of our two-wheeled forefathers and-in the end- raised a pint to honor our local hero’s contribution to our southern motorcycle heritage. 

While we are not sponsoring a ride this year, we hope that on April 15 you join us at Central Park Tavern to pay homage to SE Rochelle and the legacy of all motorcyclists that preceded us. We suggest riding the oldest bike you own, but bikes of all ages are welcome and if you’re coming from Greensboro we suggest dipping your wheels in RT 10.

Until then, keep the rubber side down and keep your head in the wind.

Antique Motorcycle Club of America: Southern National Meet 5.17.14

The Antique Motorcycle Club of America holds their Southern National Meet annually at Denton Farm Park in Denton, NC. The event draws a world class collection of  mostly ridden, unrestored antique motorcycles. Marcus and I rolled over to check out this amazing event and to promote the upcoming 2014 Bull City Rumble.

Thanks again to the AMCA for having us and thanks to everyone who stopped by our tent to say hi and/or to buy some Bull City Rumble gear. 

If you missed us at the AMCA meet and would still like to get a Bull City Rumble shirt, patch or poster please visit our store.

Ton Up NC = Riding, Restoration and Racing of Vintage Motorcycles

-Brian

The Hills Have Voices: Legends in Springville, UT

These hills have voices. At least I think they do.  Leading me to find a small shop in Springville, Utah where I was looking to find a quick bite to eat.  As I drove along looking for something to shove down my throat before my next meeting, I caught a glimpse of something on the opposite side of the road that looked like a bike.  

You guys know the drill.  Riding along at 55mph in unfamiliar territory peering into carports, sheds, and garages just hoping to catch a glimpse of a bike and especially a rusty one!  Your eyes become trained to pick up on the slightest characteristics of a vintage motorcycle.  The taillight, exhaust, gas tank, even a forgotten rusty lawn ornament can result in a stroke and instant whiplash.

But back to my story…  I spun the rental car around and headed back to investigate a bit further.  As I rolled back past and got a better look, I knew that I was going to have to stop in and see what this place was all about.  What I had caught a glimpse of was a sculpture of a salt flat racer built around a knuckle HD.  I came to find out that this sculpture was done by the local artist Jeff Decker that actually lived across the street.

I made my way into the shop and a gentleman walked up from the back of the shop to meet me.  Steve was his name, and he seemed fine with me coming in and checking out some of the bikes he had on display.  As soon as I walked in I looked to the right at a line of bikes that were a mixed array of modern and classic HD’s.  Upon closer inspection I immediately locked onto an early Indian sitting on the end of the row.  He quickly picked up on my amazement, and cracked a big smile.  I asked if I could take a few shots to show some of the guys back home and he quickly obliged.

At this point I was on high alert as I began to recognize the magnitude of what I was surrounded by.  I actually began to get goose bumps as started to count the number of early 1900’s American motorcycles that were sitting in this place.  They were all mostly unmolested examples sitting just as they would have been discovered.  I peered up into the loft above us and literally almost fell on the floor.  The big “X” of an Excelsior motorcycle tank was staring me right back in the face.

He motioned for me to follow him so he could turn on all the lights and show me around the place.  The next half hour or so was nothing short of amazing.  There were motorcycles of several varieties lined up all over the place.  From the early beginnings of powered bicycles like the Indian Camel, to some of the most powerful like the big Henderson 4’s, the place was simply wrapped up in early American patina.  The visit was nothing short of legendary, and its name seemed to fit quite well as it was called “Legends”.  I came to find out that the business was owned by a gentleman by the name of Rick Salisbury.  Rick decided to renovate a dilapidated general store, and turn it into a state of the art motorcycle shop with some extra room to display his treasures. 

Steve then led me back to the shop where he had a few projects he was currently working on.  He had an early HD, and an Excelsior up on benches where he was working to put them back together.  He also had a Henderson 4 motor he had torn apart that he was going through.  The best part about these bikes is that a majority of them are runners, and when time permits they are often ridden.  Each year Rick Salisbury, and several others participate in an event known as the Motorcycle Cannonball.  The Motorcycle Cannonball is a 16 day endurance race that this past year led over 70 vintage riders from Newburg, NY to San Francisco CA.  Just this past year there were a total of 15 Henderson 4’s in the race!  Not all of them made it, but some of them actually completed the journey under their own power.

Needless to say, this place made my week.  By the time it was all over I had completely lost my appetite and was 10 minutes late for my appointment .  Damn GPS!  Best excuse ever…

So, if you ever find yourself in the small town of Springville Utah, stop by Legends shop on Main Street and let Steve or Rick show you around.  You certainly won’t be disappointed.

Ton Up NC = Riding, Restoration and Racing of Vintage Motorcycles

-Eric

The S.E. Rochelle Reliability Run

Every Spring in Durham

Pictured: SE Rochelle and Wife, Durham, NC circa 1920something.

In April 2013, Ton Up N*C presented the SE Rochelle Reliability Run as a 100 year tribute tribute to S.E. Rochelle's contribution to North Carolina's motorcycle heritage. Here were the details:

1913 & 2013 Reliability Run Vintage Motorbikes (1969 and Older) from all over the world will started and finished in Durham, NC  via Greensboro, NC (Natty Greene's Brewery). A 120 mile low speed round-trip ride through the Carolina countryside. The ultimate two-wheel attrition test of mechanic and machine. Awards were given to the oldest motorbikes successfully completing the ride. Categories included: British, German, Italian, American, Japanese and Scooter SCHEDULE: Saturday Morning April 6th, 2013 -Launch Location Motorco in Durham, NC: Kickstands Up -Arrive at Greensboro lunch location -Return to Durham, NC -Awards RULES and REGULATIONS: 1) Motorbike must start and finish under own power. 2) Motorbike age determined by manufacturer year, month and serial number. 3) Mechanical stops are allowed but tools an supplies must be stowed on motorbike. 4) This is NOT a race and all local, State and Federal laws must be followed. 5) Route to be posted to pre-registrants 6) Pre-register with name, year, make and model of motorcycle by emailing tonupnc@gmail.com

Inside Rochelle's Durham shop (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

Sidney Edgar Rochelle (1878-1960) was a veteran, a business man and most importantly to us, a motorcycle enthusiast from Durham, NC, the place a handful of us Ton Up NC boys call home. From 1910 to 1954, SE Rochelle owned and operated the local Harley Davidson/Henderson/Indian dealership formerly located on the corner of Parrish and Corcoran St (and later on Mangum St.) in Durham. This was North Carolina's first Harley Davidson Dealership.

Rochelle not only provided the Durham motorcyclists with bikes, he created a motorcycle community in ways ranging from his promotion of motorcycle related attractions at the local amusement park, to the organization of a riding club and many local versions of the AMA sanctioned Gypsy Day Tour rides. Rochelle's Gypsy Day rides consisted of a round trip from Durham to Greensboro and back. Rochelle's club also traveled all over the USA.

Outside the old shop on Parrish Street, SE Rochelle is 2nd from right. (photo courtesy Durham Library).

Chad and I outside the old 208 Parrish Street location of Rochelle's old shop. It is Dos Perros restaurant now.

Whirl of Death motordome at Lakewood Park in Durham (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

Rochelle's Durham Gypsy Day Tour ride circa 1923  at Trinity College now Duke University.
(photo courtesy of Durham Library)

Durham motorcyclists band together (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

SE Rochelle and his motorcycle club circa 1910 (photo courtesy of Durham Library).

For more information on SE Rochelle, visit the Endangered Durham website, to which I am indebted for much of my knowledge about Mr. Rochelle.

Ton Up NC = Riding, Restoration and Racing of Vintage Motorcycles

-Brian/Chad

Updated: 2/5/2014