It is with deepest regret that I have to announce that Don and Robinette Tilley, the long time owners of Tilley Harley-Davidson of Salisbury, North Carolina were involved in a motorcycle accident yesterday Friday August 29, 2014. Don Tilley was killed and his wife Robinette is currently in critical condition.
Don and Robinette Tilley started their dealership in 1972 in their hometown of Statesville, NC. In 1999 they opened a satellite store in Salisbury, NC then in 2006 in the same city a large 50,000 sq. ft Harley dealership. Don Tilley H-D has sponsored many types of Harley® motorcycle racing programs, his teams winning a total of nine national championships. At the age of 78, Don continued to work every day at his dealership. My thoughts and condolences to all his family and prayers for his wife for a rapid recovery.
Best for me was his comment, “if they didn’t want us to bend the rules, they would have made the book a hard back”. I will miss him a bunch. Hope Robinette recovers quick.
Denis Manning
Huge Loss to all. This man was a class act.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Don many years ago when he was racing and I was covering them.
We shared some information through the years and became friends. He has always been that kind of person to me and I and many others will miss him.
I am sure his soul is now where all good motorcyclist go when they leave this life.
God Speed my friend.
My prayers are with his wife who was injured and all of his family and friends.
Don will always be in the minds and thoughts of the many people who have come in contact with him and those who he had a influence on.
Sorry to hear that news I bought a Streetglide from Don back in 08 may he rest in peace and my prayers go out to the whole family….Martin
A real motorcycle guy and wonderful competitor .
Best wishes on your recovery Robinette !
Travel we’ll Don
Don was a fierce, yet classy competitor of mine and Malcom Tunstall’s for years. His Lucifer’s Hammer was an awesome machine with Gene Church aboard, even at Daytona in Battle of the Twins, which for my money was the most exciting racing in AMA at the time. You’ll long be remembered in the best way Don. Robinette, get well soon.
Loss of a true gentleman! RIP Don!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Very sad news. Don was one of best. He always had a way to make a faster motorcycle.
Don was one of the real people in this industry and very helpful to me over the years. Always a pleasure to talk to. My prayers for Robinette and the rest of his great family. Jim Betlach
Damn, I was just thinking about Don the other day, wondering how he was doing. Even considering buying my next bike from him even though I’d have to drive 100 miles and past a couple of other dealers to get over there. I met him when he was racing the VR1000. I’ll never forget him saying “if we don’t get this EFI sorted out pretty soon, I’ll figure out a way to put a Holley four-barrell on it: With his connections to the NASCAR community I’m pretty sure he’d would have found a way to get it done. God bless his family and friends, RIP Don, and I’m gonna say a prayer for Robinette.