Honoring Harley Davidson’s First African American Dealer, William B. Johnson
November 2, 2009
Harley Davidson is an innovative company. Not only do they make some of the most stunning motorcycles in the world, they also foster a culture of inclusion. Even though the biker lifestyle supports an individualistic rebel spirit, bikers tend to accept everyone who rides. Today, men and women from every corner of the world and from all demographics share their love of Harley motorcycles.
Harley Davidson also has the unique distinction of being the first motorcycle manufacturer to offer a dealership to an African American. In the early 1920s, William B. Johnson crossed the motorcycle industry color line.
Born in 1890, William ‘Wild Bill’ Johnson built his motorcycle legend as a hill climbing racer in Somers, NY. So great was his ability that Wild Bill became the first African American to be allowed to join the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in the late 1920s. He was allowed to join before African Americans as group were allowed to join.
Wild Bill continued to race in hill climbing events all over New England and won many victories into his 40s, when he finally retired from racing. At the same time, his dealership and his reputation in the motorcycling community grew.
In 1969, Johnson’s reputation was put to the test. Harley Davidson awarded another dealership to Pat Cramer 5 miles away from his location. This was seen by many as a racists move to try to force Wild Bill out of business. Normally, Harley Davidson would not place 2 dealers in such close proximity. Cramer also tried to buy Johnson’s dealership years earlier but a deal never went through.
After some pressure from the NAACP, Harley Davidson told Cramer that he will have to co-exist with Johnson or his dealership will be pulled. Over the years to follow, Cramer and Johnson became friends and even worked together.
Johnson continued to work in his shop and continued to test ride repaired motorcycles well into his 80s. A fall on a bike ended his riding and mechanic days and he died in 1985 at the age of 95.
William ‘Wild Bill’ Johnson is a great man in the motorcycling community and a true maverick among bikers. Harley Davidson and the AMA should be very proud that they were able to move forward the idea of diversity and freedom among bikers by making Wild Bill the first African American Harley Dealer and AMA member. Johnson certainly deserves to be remembered in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and it will be a great day when his trailblazing legend is more widely recognized.
Posted Under: Uncategorized Tags: African American Harley dealer, biker lifestyle, Harley Davidson, Harley motorcycles, hill climbing racer, motorcycle hall of fame, motorcycle industry, motorcycle manufacturer, motorcycles, motorcycling community
Reader Comments
I worked for W.B Johnson motorcycles in Somers during the mid-70’s. W.B Johnson insisted on being called Mr. Bill and was a wealth of motorcycle information at the time. He lived in a small room in the shop at the time and was always there to speak with anyone that came in. Business was slow then, I did parts and sales while we had one full time Mechanic. At the time Mr. Bill was leasing or renting the business to another couple.
Mr. Davis,
Thanks for your reply.
I sincerely hope that the AMA Hal of Fame takes a close look at Mr. Bill as one of their newest inductees. He is truly a maverick in the motorcycle world and deserves his place among the legends of the AMA, Harley, and motorcycle communities.
Now that Black History Month is here, I think I will write Harley Davidson and the AMA to see if they will honor him this year. As a proud biker and Black man, I think that would be the right thing to do.
Thanks again!
– Huntdaddy
Dear Mr. Davis,
Bill Johnson was an incredible man. He was my great uncle and I have such fond memories of him. He always had a smile and kind word for everyone. Yes, he truly was a trail blazer.
Thank you for helping others to know and remember him!
Suzette Tucker
Suzette,
Thanks for your reply.
When I found out about Bill Johnson, I was blown away. During a time when African Americans were minimized in society, Mr. Johnson was a true giant. I really hope he is recognized as the Jackie Robinson of the motorcycle industry.
– Huntdaddy
Amazing a true pioneer! I hope that AMA inducts Bill Johnson into the Hall of Fame. I think that Harley Davidson has a display of Bill in there Museum in Milwaukee! As a Man of Color who rides several HD’s this make me feel good! Thanks!
Cary,
Thanks for your reply. Check out my most recent blog on Katherine Johnson, the first African American woman to own a Harley Davidson dealership.
I have not been to the HD Museum in Milwaukee but I plan to go this summer.
keep reading and riding!
– Huntdaddy
This is great information to know. I first read this in American Iron Magazine. I live in Milwaukee so I will be going to the museum to see the display. I further would like my club Rumblin Steel M/C to do something in his memory with someone from his family or a friend.
I met Bill back in the sixties when I was just a teenager. He was not your typical business owner,he was an incredible person. I bought a Harley 50cc from him in 1966,I upgraded to a used 250cc Sprint in the seventies and then went back to Bill for a New Sportster in 1974. I used to drive from CT. after work to just sit and talk with Mr Johnson. He had lost the use of his hands and was pretty much confined to his back room.He always had a smile and kind words for everyone and loved when the young ladies would stop by. I still remember the twinkle in his eyes….people like him are truly missed.
Wonder why he not inducted in the hall of fame already. I think he should have been in there years ago.. Along with Ben Hardy and Cliff Vaughs for the work on the easy rider bikes .. i noticed Peter Fonda is inducted and is given credit for the bikes but not them. you can see the interview on youtube .. Dennis Hopper added that Harley did not want to have any part of the movie or giving them the bikes to do the movie anyway, saying they did not to contribute to such a movie. Too much talent and desire to go unnoticed..