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This is the first thing you see, as you enter
the tent. A hostess at the door was handing out temporary tattoo packages.
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A look to the right of the entrance, shows photos,
and displays from a year of Open Road Tour shows.
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The Jon Bon Jovi bike, complete with Evolution
Engine.
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The Elvis Bike. That's right, this was Elvis
Presley's personal motorcycle.
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A side view of the Elvis Bike.
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Guitar and stage costume from Grand Funk Railroad.
Several members of the band were featured in the performances of the Open
Road Tour.
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A whole exhibit was based on the Rock and Roll
of the motorcycle culture, as well as musicians who were riders. Gear, and
artifacts were contributed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Interesting looking guitars, though you would
think they would be shaped like motorcycles.
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A complete Rock and Roll kit, everything you
need to be a star. Just add talent (optional).
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Another part of the collection of instruments,
clothing, and other memorabilia.
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A collection of photos from the tour. Several
television monitors also show taped highlights, and some personal stories
from the story booth.
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The white bread image of wholesome sporting motorcycling,
with which Harley hoped to widen it's appeal and shed the outlaw biker image.
This ad was run in 1968, when Harley was at the peak
of it's popularity, before the introduction of the UJM (Universal Japanese
Motorcycle), and the near dominance of the Japanese, and German bikes.
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Harley's advertisements, after the AMF takeover,
and the introduction of a series of newly engineered bikes from Japan
hurt the image and sales of Harley. Note that the accent has shifted to
the use of a motorcycle as a toy, or a fashion accessory. Note also that
engineering, and performance are not mentioned.
AMF seemed to consider the motorcycle to be just another
sporting or recreational product, in the same league as the golf clubs,
bowling balls, and tennis rackets which it also sold. I do not consider
AMF to be a horrible ogre, as do some of the Harley faithful, but I do believe
that the conglomerate never quite "got it", in regards to motorcycling.
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A collection of vintage clothing, and a sort
of a history of motorcycle fashion, from the modified car coats and dusters
of the early days, through the leather gear of the fifties, to the more subdued
(or so we think) motorcycle fashions of today.
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A display of an assortment of bike accessories.
Again, this featured examples ranging from early times, up to current day
offerings.
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This was, I hate to admit, one of my favorite
parts of the exhibit. I suppose I am just a born watcher. Harley looped together
a montage of clips from scores of movies, and continuously ran it to appreciative
crowds.
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One last look at the featured celebrities bikes,
as we are on our way out.
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