Click Baldwin Dies In Motorcycle Accident.

This morning I am very sad to have to report the death of Clifton “Click” Baldwin,  owner of Carolina Harley-Davidson/Buell in Gastonia, NC and well known Custom Builder. Click, as we all called him, was involved yesterday Tuesday in an accident while riding his 2009 Harley-Davidson. His motorcycle collided with a car on US 12 in Lolo, Montana and Click, critically injured, was flown to St Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He died around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday (11:30 p.m. EST) from his multiple injuries. He was 54 years old. Baldwin was riding through Montana with 14 other members of the Hamsters Motorcycle Club. The group was meeting other members for the 68th annual Sturgis Rally in Sturgis, S.D. He was a friend since more than 15 years and the friend of so many in the industry to who he brought his eternal optimism, passion of life, his great sense of humor and skills at building custom motorcycles. Last time we talked, it was at the Charlotte airport where he told me that whatever the actual economic difficulties, his profession was ultimate his joy and that building motorcycles will always be better for him than going daily to an office. Click Baldwin has won many awards for the many custom motorcycles his company has produced over the years, has been featured in many TV motorcycle shows, and was a member of The Hamsters, the informal club of professionals sharing the same passion for Customs. His dealership, Carolina-Harley Davidson, has provided many motorcycles to NASCAR drivers and he was personally very active in charity work. He is survided by his wife Diane and daughter Chelsea. My thoughts and prayers to the entire Baldwin family and his crew in Gastonia, NC. You can leave messages for them in the “comments” section below (2007 file picture of Click with wife Diane)

Added July 30, 08 At 6.15 PM (EST): The Baldwin Family would like to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period. Diane Baldwin requests the use of restraint from questions and inquiries to the staff until her return. They too are suffering from shock and grief and need time to heal and reflect. Arrangements will be made once the family is able to return home. In lieu of flowers, the dealership is asking for donations towards “Bricks for Click” to be a part of their memorial sidewalk at the dealership. Each brick will have a personal message inscribed on the brick from the donor. Bricks can be purchased at the dealership with one’s personal message in remembrance of this motorcycle icon, “Unlike Any Other”.

43 Responses to “Click Baldwin Dies In Motorcycle Accident.”


  1. 1 John Jebaily Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    I’ve had the pleasure to know Click from several “Hamster” rides I’ve participated in. His sense of humor and eternally optimistic outlook will be sorely missed.

  2. 2 Scott Webster Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    godspeed click you will be greatly missed

  3. 3 Jody Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

    A true motorcycle legend, a person that lived to ride, build, and breath motorcycles. Everyone at Perewitz will deeply missed the “Clickster”!

  4. 4 Brenda Fox Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    “Click” certainly left a positive imprint with everyone he crossed paths with.
    ~~ Loved and appreciated by so many people ~~
    May God offer strength and comfort to his family and loved ones.

  5. 5 Grumpy's Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

    All of us here at Grumpy’s Customs offer our deepest sympathy for Click’s family and the Carolina H-D staff.
    Click you will be missed in our community and the motorcycling world.
    God Bless

  6. 6 paul bisnette Jul 30th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

    I’ve had the great opportunity to meet Click and his wife Diane. He will
    truly be missed. He put on the greatest BBQ’s for charity, did the Kyly
    Petty ride and numerous other charities. God Bless you, Click

  7. 7 Doug Cahn Jul 30th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    Click you will be sorely missed,
    Your sense of humor, your bikes and freindship are a terrible loss for all who knew you.
    I’m sorry to hear that one of the truely good guys is gone.
    My thoughts are with your family.
    Doug

  8. 8 jeff kelderman Jul 30th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    click was on of the good guys. he will be sorely missed.

  9. 9 RoadSter Jul 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

    Click was a really good friend. I had the pleasure to ride with him a few times with the Hamsters and during the Kyle Petty ride. I can’t believe he is not with us anymore.
    My sincere condolences to his family. RIP Click.

  10. 10 Ridesafe Jul 30th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

    Click, you are today and forever will be missed, May God look over you, May God bless your family and watch over them for you. Ride with the wind.

  11. 11 Jeff Nicklus Jul 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    Clickster, you will be missed but never forgotten! You truly were one of the good guys.

    I and all the members of Desperado Motorcycles and Jeff Nicklus Customs extend our most sincere condolences to your family and grieving friends worldwide.

    RIP Click.

  12. 12 Vicki Turano Jul 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    From the Myrtle Beach rally in South Carolina to the Arlen Ness show in California, Click was inspirational with his enthusiasm. I remember him cruising around the show on a SegWay, creating energy and excitement. My condolences to his family in South Carolina and his Hamster family around the world. My thanks to Click for the memories and for his optimism for this earthly life. He will ride forever.

  13. 13 CUEMAN Jul 30th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    Click was a one of a kind sorta guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Texas Motor Speedway. What a character! Always smiling and laughing…Ride High in The Sky! It was a pleasure to meet you…..Bubba Lewisville Texas

  14. 14 Sara Liberte Jul 30th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

    Such a loss, a good friend to many, a husband and Dad and a natural joy to be around. Ron and I will miss your enthusiasm and genuine good laughs, our thoughts and prayers to Diane and Chelsea. ~Sara

  15. 15 Steve Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    Click was a very good man, his generosity knew no bounds. He will be sorely missed . My thought s and prayers go out to Diane, Chelsea and the entire Carolina Harley family.

  16. 16 Lee & Nancy Wimmer Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:06 pm

    All of us at Wimmer extend our deepest sympathy to Click’s entire family. We can’t even begin to imagine how much he will be missed throughout so many industries and groups.

    I will miss my birthday buddy ~ Nancy

    Myrtle Bike Week & the Hamster dinner will never be the same without you.
    We miss you brother!

    Lee & Nancy Wimmer

  17. 17 HondaGirl Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    It was a pleasure meeting Click and shopping in his store. Our condolences to the family and staff.

    May God’s Peace and Blessing Be Upon You.

    DA & Bridget

  18. 18 "Fat" Jack Mathison Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    I knew Click since I was 14 years old. He was a great man and he will be missed. To this day I owe him two hundred dollars, because I had to get my children Christmas and to see them. He gave me so great advise.

  19. 19 Melissa & Jerry Tolle Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family. Click was a wonderful man and will be truly missed by all. May God keep you under his wing as you bid farewell for now to your love as you will one day be together again for eternity.

  20. 20 Buddy Stone Jul 30th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    God speed Clickster

  21. 21 Jackie Parrott Jul 30th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    I will never forget your flair for fashion & smiling face….I will surely miss you! You were such a great guy out 4 a good cause…God Bless! I will miss all of your sunglasses…& outgoing personlity…RIP brother, u will deeply be misssed!

  22. 22 GAMBLER Jul 30th, 2008 at 11:48 pm

    sad

    prayers for family & friend

  23. 23 Mike Lichter Jul 31st, 2008 at 12:14 am

    I already miss Click’s incredible presence and great humor. (And always the great boots!) He knew how to live large and will my thoughts, and many riders thoughts as we head to Sturgis. The rally just won’t be the same without him. My deepest sympathy goes out to Diane and Chelsea. Michael Lichter

  24. 24 Marilyn Stemp Jul 31st, 2008 at 8:27 am

    My heart goes out to Diane and Chelsea at this sad time. Perhaps it helps a bit to know that so many others share your loss.
    Click had a gift for retaining the childlike enthusiasm for life that most of lose as we “grow up.” He reminded the rest of us that life is too darn short and to have fun while we’re here.
    What a bright spirit! Wearing those martini sunglasses. Riding his Segway. Bidding with “Maury” and flustering the auctioneer! He left us too soon.

  25. 25 Mike (Kiwi) Tomas Jul 31st, 2008 at 11:09 am

    Click was a class act, a remarkable human being and very giving.
    He knew how to put a smile of everyones face and he will be surely missed. His work was not done down here. Our condolences to diane and Chelsea

  26. 26 MJ Reynolds Jul 31st, 2008 at 11:15 am

    The Myrtle Rally, just when it needs all the help it can get, has lost two “Champions” this summer – Larry Fowler at HB Spokes in June and now Click Baldwin. Thanks for keeping all of us in the loop… Since we are a young community without a lot of traffic, I have linked back to this blog as a place where our readers can come to share this loss.

  27. 27 Pepper Jul 31st, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Don’t know what caused people to take notice of him more, his joie de vivre or his impressive shoe collection. You just always expected something spectacular to happen when Click was around. He will be missed.

  28. 28 Bryan Carter Jul 31st, 2008 at 11:04 pm

    Everyone hates to see someone like Click go, but Godspeed and our prayers go with him.

  29. 29 Harlan Schillinger Aug 1st, 2008 at 1:34 am

    .

    He spent his last night with us as he has always done, laughter, comradery, fun and his beloved Crown Royal. He turned in early, very excited for the next day’s ride through LoLO Pass to meet up with our west coast Hamster friends.

    As you can imagine, we are all in a state of shock here in Walla Walla. However we will move on ,in his memory and our love for him.

    Harlan Schillinger
    Fellow Hamster.

  30. 30 Steve Black Aug 1st, 2008 at 9:18 am

    Carolina HD built a custom bike for me in 2000 when I first met Click. The bike won a trophy at an Easy Rider Bike show where Click picked up my trophy for me (I couldn’t be there). My deepest condolences to the family and the great staff at Carolina HD.

    Click, keep the chrome polished in heaven.

  31. 31 Denise Wynne Aug 1st, 2008 at 11:16 am

    I’m sorry to say that I never got the chance to meet Click although I felt like I at least got a glimpse of the person he is through my brother and fellow Hamster Mike Avila. I heard many stories about the cardboard cut out and the shenanigins of the Sturgis rallies.
    My prayers are with his family, with his traveling partners on that tragic day, and the many people he obviously touched in his lifetime.
    God Bless.

  32. 32 Ben Aug 1st, 2008 at 12:38 pm

    Farewell, Click. I didn’t know him personally but have been around him many, many times at bike shows and events. He seemed like a real firecracker and was told he was a heck of a character.

    To his family I say: courage.

  33. 33 Cj Hanlon Guilty Customs Aug 1st, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    I’m stunned. Absolutely speechless as i read this post while here at Sturgis. As everyone above has stated, his eternal optimism, sense of humor and passion and “compassion” for this industry and it’s people made Click stand out from the rest. Our deepest condolences to his family and staff.

  34. 34 Lonny Spiva Aug 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 am

    Click Was one of the Good Guys. His Journey was just moved to the next State.
    In front leading the pack in the sky. Donna and I miss you

  35. 35 silvers Aug 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm

    Diane and Chelsea, you are in our prayers. May God be with you in your time of need.
    RIP Click
    The Silvers Family

  36. 36 Jim Corcoran Aug 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Wow,Really saddened to hear of his untimely passing. I met him at a seminar where he was trying to help other dealers like myself to succeed. From what I know of him,this pretty much was Click. Always willing to help others. He will be missed. My condolences go out to his family. Jim

  37. 37 Fred Aug 2nd, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    See Ya,Later my friend!

  38. 38 Patty Mesenbrink, Minneapolis (MNSportie) Aug 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    We have lost such a wonderful friend. Sturgis is much quieter without Click this year. There are so many stories being shared among us all…. Click riding his segway, seeing every year what his attire would be at one of our Hamster gatherings, his smile and laughter. Click is on all of our minds and in our hearts. Diane and Chelsea and the crew at the dealership, you are in all of our thoughts and prayers. Godspeed my friend….

  39. 39 Владимир Малкин May 23rd, 2009 at 12:50 am

    Мне вот интересно, а комменты которые не нравятся автору здесь удаляют? 🙂

  40. 40 DJ Jul 31st, 2009 at 9:31 am

    Is this the same crash that took Bruce Rossmeyer?

  41. 41 bigalyts Jul 31st, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Yes same day and almost same time! No Helmet either!

  42. 42 daryl brewton Feb 11th, 2011 at 7:44 am

    I rode my first Harley years ago courtesy of Click. I remember he had on purple ostrich skin boots, typical of Click’s own personal style. 🙂 I was the photographer for the HOG chapter sponsored by his shop and had the opportunity to be around him somewhat for a few years. Great guy. Every time I see Hank Jr.’s video, Country Boy Can Survive, I get a big smile see that squinty eyed smiling face smiling back from the TV. He was a perpetually positive and happy guy and he is missed by so many people. R.I.P. Click.

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