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Let’s Ride to the Museum

Written By: Chad Gillen

If you are like me, you may have a bad habit of not visiting some of our great local places of interest and usually taking them for granted. Take the Falls for instance … do you only go there when a relative from out of town is visiting? The Old Courthouse Museum is a local treasure that I drove by many times a day, never giving it a second thought (even though admission is free).

Well no more, because of the “Let’s Ride” exhibit that opened this July. Let’s Ride celebrates the history of motorcycles in our area. Thirteen motorcycles and various memorabilia are on display and they are all on loan from local owners and enthusiasts. There are American, European, and Japanese motorcycles. With some street bikes and some dirt bikes, there is something for everybody. The oldest motorcycle is a 1908 Marsh-Metz and the newest is a 1999 Harley-Davidson MT500 military bike. The Marsh Metz Company was the first company to develop a 90-degree V-twin engine motorcycle, but like many early motorcycle companies they closed down in 1913. The Harley-Davidson “Military Transport” 500cc motorcycle is a Rotax engine bike that started in Britain with the Armstrong-CCM company in 1984. It never won the military contract, as it was not diesel powered. Harley then brought it over here in hopes of getting a large contract with U.S. Department of Defense, but it also failed due to not being a diesel powered. Only 100 were made and this one lives here in Sioux Falls thanks to J&L Harley-Davidson.

There is a lot of great information on the bikes on display, as well as the great history of support and racing in our area. I found it really interesting that there used to be a race track – grandstand and all – in the early 1900’s in the area of what is now 26th Street and Southeastern Avenue called Coats Race Track. The history of the Sioux Valley Motorcycle Club and their progression to what they provide for racers today is documented, as well. Today when you think of Fred the Fixer in Sioux Falls, you think of locksmith services. But back in the day they were a motorcycle repair and maintenance shop, too. There is also a 12 ½ minute long video of various home movies, highlighting motorcycling in the Sioux Falls area in 1937 and 1952. You can see stunt displays of the 1937 Sioux Falls Auxiliary Motor Patrol and some hill climbing by the bravest local riders in the Cactus Hills area of Sioux Falls.

Once you are in the exhibit you are sucked into thinking you are in a garage and not in a museum at all. That ambiance is a great tribute to the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the museum. So the next time you are near the Old Courthouse Museum, or the weather cancels your ride for the day, stop by and check out the “Let’s Ride” exhibit. You will not be disappointed! Or better yet, make it a ride destination. It may be the only time you can see a Hodaka, Bultaco, or Cleveland motorcycle firsthand. Remember admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

For those enthusiasts that loaned their motorcycles and memorabilia for the exhibit, my helmet is off to you. Thank you.

September 2019

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Let’s Ride to the Museum

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