From: Austin. An Illustrated History. (David C. Humphrey, 1985)
Below, from Austin City Council minutes, September 25, 1924:
The dealership survived until at least the 1950's:
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| American Motorcyclist, June 1955 |
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| Douglass, Neal. Austin Motorcycle Company with Police Men, Photograph, April 30, 1953; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth19066/ : accessed December 09, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Austin, Texas. |
6 comments:
The shop continued in operation as a Harley-Davidson dealership until the 1970s, when owner Dan James (no relation, unfortunately) surrendered the franchise rather than accede to Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s demands for a more “corporate” image. He operated the shop as an independent Harley-oriented parts and repair shop until his untimely death at the age of 48. Two employees continued to run the shop for a couple of years, until one left to join the new dealership on Lamar Blvd. just north of FM 2222, and the other opened a speed and custom shop in East Austin.
BTW, the man who married Dan James’ stepdaughter, Bud Reveile, was also in the motorcycle business, and operated a different independent Harley-oriented shop on East First Street just west of Pleasant Valley Road. Bud’s Motorcycle Shop opened in April, 1979, and continued in that location, growing larger and larger over the years, until Bud passed away in 2015. Bud skillfully grew his business from simple repairs and used parts to a full service shop offering repairs, restoration, customization, new and used parts, used motorcycle sales, import and export of motorcycles and parts....
As with Dan James’ shop, Bud’s employees continued to operate the business, eventually moving it to a new location on FM 812 near Elroy. At last report it was still in operation there.
Thanks for this post. I’ve searched for photos of Austin Motorcycle Company in the past, but only found the Neal Douglass image from 1953. Love the earlier pic! I’ll have to contact the History Center and order a print.
Sláinte!
Wow! Thanks for all the additional info. Very interesting finding the stories behind these old pictures.
My name is Jesse James son of Ronny James who was originally named Preston Randolph the 3rd.Preston Randolph 2nd would have been my grandfather. Dan James was my uncle.Would love to see and hear more history of this. Thank you . Rock on Drive fast take chances...
Jesse, I knew your uncle, traded at his shop and enjoyed visiting with him. Naturally, I attended his funeral, too; a sad day for the Austin biker community.
A friend of mine worked in the emergency room the night they brought Dan in. At 48, he was too young to be dying of a heart attack, and my friend told me they worked for over an hour to save his life, to no avail.
I wish I could tell you more about what went on with the shop - I'm interested in that history myself - but I was just an occasional visitor. If they can be located, Brandy (male, last name unknown) who worked the counter for Dan, and Buddy Aguilar, the man who went to work at the dealership after Dan died, might be able to offer more insight.
Charlie Machado, the other half of the post-Dan James operation, opened a speed and custom shop in East Austin, and raced his XR-750 on drag strips around the region, but my understanding is that he passed away many years ago. If I ever knew any other names from that era, they escape me now.
You may not realize this, but today (2-23-23) is the eighth anniversary of Bud Reveile’s passing. If you visit his Legacy page at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/statesman/name/buddy-reveile-obituary?id=9614939 you will notice a number of guestbook entries from people who knew Bud when he worked at Dan’s Guadalupe shop. You may be able to follow up with them – Google their names or search on Facebook – and track down more stories that way.
Best of luck to you.
Bill James
The Shovel Shop
Austin, Texas
Jesse, I forgot to check my resources before posting my previous reply. The guy who went to the dealership was Buddy Aguiar, Jr. (not Aguilar) and Mr. Machado spelled his name Charley (not Charlie). I'm a former newspaperman (one of the many hats I've worn in my life) and I should have checked the spellings prior to posting. My apologies for the confusion.
Bill James
I am Ronald Lee Krueger. P.R. James Sr. was my Great Uncle, being my grandfathers, Winslow Lomax James Sr. brother.
Dan James was my 2nd cousin, my mom's 1st cousin.
I spent many days at the shop as a child and also on Uncle Randolph's
boat dock at Bee Creek on Lake Travis. It had bunk beds and a Coke machine, and lights to attract the water moccasins.
My dad, Gillmore Krueger was run over by a stop sign runner at Riverside and Lamar in 1956 on his Harley (Shriners Motor Patrol Member) and ultimately lost his leg.
My grandfather/grandmother, Eunice McIntosh James owned Austin Generator and Tire shop at 5th and Neches in the 1920's and opened Austin Oxygen Co. at that location in 1947. Austin Oxygen was relocated to 5th & Springdale in 1974.
I also spent many days a child at the old shop downtown and worked for grandma at the 5th/Springdale location.
Thanks to everyone that keep these pictures and memories alive.
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