Buckle up, badasses—Episode 1 of the Modesto Harley-Davidson Deep Dive Podcast is droppin' like a hammer on hot steel, takin' you on a wild ride through the full-throttle history of Mitchell's Modesto Harley-Davidson! We're talkin' straight from the dusty roads of 1938, when Leonard Andres kicked this beast into gear as the original owner, buildin' a legacy that'd roar through generations. Picture this: Leonard's son Brad tearin' up tracks as a three-time Daytona champ and 1955 National Champion, puttin' Modesto on the map with pure grit and glory.
We crank it up from there—Gene Andres (Leonard's brother) grabbin' the bars, then passin' the torch to Gene Justice, before Art Mitchell snatches it in 1987 and turns it into the family-owned powerhouse it is today. Hell yeah, we dive into the Mitchell clan saga, with Art at the helm and kin like John Bilyeu steppin' up as GM, keepin' that mom-and-pop vibe alive while slingin' chrome and thunder to riders far and wide.
But this ain't just names and dates—oh no! We're revvin' through milestones that scream freedom: the dealership's deep roots in racin' since day one, backin' legends at the Lodi Cycle Bowl (that dirt-slingin' quarter-mile monster open since '53), sponsorin' badasses like season champ Matt Wait and trailblazin' female flat tracker Michelle DiSalvo. We geek out on the vintage scene too—shoutout to lifers like Bob White, wrenchin' on Panheads and Knuckleheads since 1954, keepin' those old-school hogs breathin' fire and fosterin' loyalty that turns riders into lifers.
Expect the juicy bits: how a damn pizza parlor snuck into the dealership buildin' (yeah, munch on slices while eyein' your next ride), epic community throwdowns like swap meets, biker breakfasts, poker runs, bike nights, veteran fundraisers, and that annual Modesto toy run that packs the streets with thunderin' herds. We spill on the HOG chapter's wild antics, online buzz from Facebook rants to Instagram flexes, and ties to big bashes like Sturgis and Street Vibrations.
Hosted by the rough-and-ready crew from Modesto who've lived this history—miles under their belts, grease on their hands, and stories that'll have you laughin' harder than a burnout gone wrong. No watered-down crap here; we're keepin' it raw, real, and rebellious, just like Harley since 1903. Whether you're a grizzled vet reminiscin' about the glory days, a newbie hungry for roots, or just lovin' the lore of two-wheeled rebellion, this episode's your front-row seat to the heart of Modesto's Harley soul.
So grab your helmet (or don't—we ain't judgin'), fire up the speakers, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride through time with the Modesto Harley-Davidson Deep Dive Podcast. Subscribe, share your own dealership tales in the comments, and let's keep the legend rollin'! 🏍️🔥
