Esta seccion es dedicada a la
historia de el Harlista nacional y su huella
Todas la fotos fotos pertenecen
al autor, su reproduccion esta prohibida al igual que su uso.
Since
the late 30's early 40's we've had Harlies rolling down our roads, there is a
strong connection between those times and now. The influx of police and military
bikes was such that many of those bikes can still be seen on our island today,
as "fashions" changed in the World so did in our piece of the Caribbean, we went
thru the bobbers and choppers of the 50's, 60's and 70's, thru the overdone
customs of the 80's and early 90's and are back to the choppers of the new era.
This small section is dedicated to preserve that history,
since without past we have no future.
The first
mechanic we have heard of is Don Ramon, he was the authorized dealer repairman
and later on opened his own shop, his son Papitin kept on with the family legacy
and their shop has been open for 60 years.
Another of the
old mechanics is Don Ricardo Lopez Batalla, better known as simply Batalla, his
first taste of Harlies came thanks to a job with the motorized police,
nicknamed the "phantom" , after that he opened his own shop and was a machining
professor , in 30 years he has collected the biggest and most complete
motorcycle collection in the Caribbean. Batalla retired recently and is
dedicating his "free" time to restore his motorcycles.
Charlie Caceres
is the young kid on this trio, he has been working on bikes for 25 years or so,
and is still going on strong.
Puerto Rico's
" Harlistas" have been very active for many decades, all kind of clubs have
been going on since the 50's, their love for the bikes and the desire to compete
against each other in events of control and bike handling. Chopper clubs existed
in the island as well, friends will get on their chopped and bobbed V twins and
cruise the island.
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Payo
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Caguas Racetrack
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Junior Club 60's
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Corriendo por PR
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Wito Pistola
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1947
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Billy en Rincon 1979
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La misma chopper Hoy
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Cruce a Yauco
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Gaby en el 1956
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Gaby Cintron
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Corridas Hippies
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Jr Club 1966
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Jr Club Baldorioty
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Don Ramon Indian
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Ponce de Leon
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The Police have
been using harley's since the 40's, although sometimes the bulk of the bikes
were of some other make, including some odd years in Vespa's, the higher ranked
officers have always used Harleys, and still do so to this day. This has been
the major link and I strongly believe the reason why our island is so active and
rich in Harley Davidson history. The surplus of these Police bikes was ideal
for cheaper rides and beat up bikes to bob and chop, like I said before, many of
this bikes are still around.
This is in no
way done, we have a lot more to add, and a lot more history to be documented, we
have been searching for everything and anything that has to do with these
motorcycles in our island. If you read this and have any information that you
want to share please e-mail us to
email
