Wheels Through Time Museum

[rajflyboy]

Originally Posted by acap650

On our way home from the 2007 RA rally in Ashville my friend Rick and I went to WTT. When we arrived Dale was riding the Harley boxer (WR?) military bike around the parking lot. He pulled over to us and handed us the running bike to take for a ride. Unbelievable!



Shit eating grin.

very cool

[rajflyboy]

Originally Posted by docwells7

Last spring I went in while staying at Cataloochee (sp?) and was getting my wallet out to pay. The girl behind the counter asked if I was a veteran and I said yes. Not only did I get free admission (it was Memorial Day weekend) but I was also given a two year pass free as well. Didn't expect it, but was pleasantly surprised.
I do love walking around in there listening to the different bikes fire up and smelling the exhaust and burning oil...mmmmmmm. My favorites are the flat trackers and the military bikes...too cool. I was so glad to hear that he was able to work things out with the city.

North Carolina charges property tax on vehicles. They also consider race cars and bikes as taxable objects. I wonder if this was part of the reason that Wheels Through Time was thinking about leaving the state? I wonder if the bikes are taxable?

It sounds crazy to tax vehicles in a museum.

Does anyone know how this tax situaton works?? thanks

[groop]

Originally Posted by acap650

On our way home from the 2007 RA rally in Ashville my friend Rick and I went to WTT. When we arrived Dale was riding the Harley boxer (WR?) military bike around the parking lot. He pulled over to us and handed us the running bike to take for a ride. Unbelievable!



Shit eating grin.

XA I believe. Shaft drive. and cooler running for desert warfare

[motojunkie]

I've been there a couple of times with my Dad & Brother. We stop in when we're riding the Smokies which has become an annual event for the last 5 years. We've met Dale Walksler and one of his son's, Matt, pretty cool guys who seemingly live and breathe motorcycles. If you meet either of them while you're there you'll find them very hospitable, down to earth people. Each time we're there, Dale or Matt has asked "is there anything I can start up and run for you guys" The last time (early Sept, 2010) Dale was out participating in the "Cannonball pre 1916 vintage motorcycle run" on (I believe) a 1915 Harley Davidson. His son Matt was there though and fired up a vintage ACE 4 cylinder and a 1947 EL Knucklehead. We were also invited (slow day) to go in the restoration/machine shop where they make it all happen. Yeah, its mostly about Harley's, Indian's and various other Early American motorcycle builders but this is history, and like them or not, American builders have played a fairly large role in motorcycle history. At the museum they don't care what you ride up on, and it doesn't matter what you ride, if you have any passion at all for motorcycles you will enjoy "Wheels through time, the Museum that runs" Here's a shot of a vintage 1915 Harlry V-twin they let me mount for a photo. This bike was used for the soundtrack in the movie "Leatherheads" for the motorcycle scenes with George Clooney. Pretty cool huh?

[ChromeSux]

Originally Posted by rajflyboy

North Carolina charges property tax on vehicles. They also consider race cars and bikes as taxable objects. I wonder if this was part of the reason that Wheels Through Time was thinking about leaving the state? I wonder if the bikes are taxable?

It sounds crazy to tax vehicles in a museum.

Does anyone know how this tax situaton works?? thanks

If i recall correctly a conversation i had with Dale(a couple of years ago) as to why he was leaving he did not state that as a reason, his main gripe seemed to be that the city did not want growth and had a distaste for motorcycles, he said he approached the city (i assume city council) with some ideas he had for drawing more folks in to the area and growing their tourist business and they did not want it, he said they in a nutshell told him they were happy with things like they were and wanted the family vacationers, naturally he seemed very frustrated.
I am glad he stayed.

[bmwloco]

Number one, it's is Asheville, not Ashville. No biggie, but there is an Ashville in Alabama.

From what I have heard there are no more issues in WTT is staying put. There are now signs on the Interstate pointing to it.

I truly hope it stays. It is a tremendous collection of motorcycles, and though many are Harley-Davidsons, it's not just about that. No big t-shirt sales, no mugs with big logos, just a fine, fine motorcycle museum.

[rajflyboy]

Originally Posted by ChromeSux

If i recall correctly a conversation i had with Dale(a couple of years ago) as to why he was leaving he did not state that as a reason, his main gripe seemed to be that the city did not want growth and had a distaste for motorcycles, he said he approached the city (i assume city council) with some ideas he had for drawing more folks in to the area and growing their tourist business and they did not want it, he said they in a nutshell told him they were happy with things like they were and wanted the family vacationers, naturally he seemed very frustrated.
I am glad he stayed.

Thanks for the Info

Plenty of Motorcycles in Maggie Valley this past weekend. Tourism looked good to me.

[motojunkie]

Matt Walksler firing up an old ACE 4 cylinder inside the museum

[davemon]

Great museum this is they way to do it. Glad to hear the powers to be in Maggie have come to their senses. Dale Rocks

[Rick G]

Wheels Through Time is a very cool museum. Well worth a visit.

Since my buddy Tony posted a pic of me riding one of Dales vintage HD's I thought I should return the favor. Here you see Dale showing Tony that the throttle return spring is broken, so be careful!

Rick G