The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum will honor Willie G. Davidson with its Lifetime Achievement Award and Buffalo Chip’s Rod Woodruff with its J.C. “Pappy” Hoel Outstanding Achievement Award during this year’s rally. The museum also will induct Colleen Barnett-Taylor and Mike Taylor, Cory Ness, Mark Shadley, Jim Thiessen, Terry Vance and Woodruff into the 2017 Hall of Fame. The award ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 9 at The Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood, SD.
Willie G. Davidson. Considered the patriarch of motorcycling, and as current Chief Styling Officer Emeritus and Brand Ambassador for The Motor Co., Davidson’s artistic vision and passion for riding have shaped Harley-Davidson’s brand identity for more than 50 years, the museum noted in its announcement.
Colleen Barnett-Taylor started her career at Barnett Clutches & Cables while working for her parents, Charlie and Afton Barnett. She “has been a driving force and integral part of the company,” the museum said. Husband Mike Taylor joined Barnett in 1968. Together, they have operated Barnett since 1975 and owned the company since 1993.
Cory Ness is the chief designer behind Arlen Ness Enterprises and runs the day-to-day business of the company. “At only 10 years old, he disassembled his bicycle, painted it, chromed its parts and entered it in the Oakland Roadster Show,” the museum stated. “The first motorcycle he turned his talents to was a wrecked CB350. After building it back up, Cory sold it before even getting a chance to ride it. He was 14.”
Mark Shadley and Shadley Bros. Motorcycles have been shaping the perception of custom motorcycles since the early 1970s, the museum said. “The quality, detail and innovation of his custom-built bikes have made him well-recognized by both the motorcycle industry and his peers.”
Jim Thiessen, founder of JIMS, has generated trust with riders, record-breakers, racers and certified Harley-Davidson mechanics around the world who use JIMS products on a daily basis, the museum noted. “Today, JIMS is one of the industry’s leading producers of performance parts, accessories, tools, transmissions and high-performance engines, all aimed at enhancing the Harley rider’s experience.”
Terry Vance, 14-time NHRA national champion, created a company (with co-founder Byron Hines) that would be “a pillar of the motorcycle aftermarket,” the museum said, “and they used their unrivaled achievements in racing to build a brand that would unmistakably stand for quality and performance.”
Rod Woodruff, since 1981, has been directing the action the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground, treating millions of rally-goers to rock concerts, camping and entertainment. “Rod Woodruff is the man who brought Rock ‘n’ Roll to the Black Hills, and now hosts a 10-day concert series” during the rally on his 600 acres in rural Meade County. In addition to his induction into the Hall of Fame, he receives the Pappy Hoel Award, a designation reserved for individuals who have played a special role in the founding, maintaining and/or promoting of the museum and Hall of Fame.
Tickets for the Aug. 9 event are available for $45 (tables of eight for $350) by calling the museum at 605-347-2001 or by purchasing them online at the museum website.
Before they are too old…
Willie g. Parts knock off king!!
Better choice than a few years back.
@Industrydouche
Why you mad brah?
Willie G has served the moco well as well as his customers. He has helped keep the “Classic” Harley look as the rest of the industry moved ahead with the “modern”, sleek, futuristic look. Let’s face it, Harley is the ONLY MC company to last 114 years and sells more than 50% of all motorcycles over 650cc (EVERYONE else sells the other 50%). I think if he “held back the brand” Harley would not have been able to accomplish these milestones. Also, to claim he is a “parts knock off king” is ridiculous…Congratulations Willie and thanks for your skills and contribution to the entire MC world.
Amen to Mr Richard’s comment . I get so sick of reading all the Willie bashing its nice to see someone who actually ‘ gets it ‘ when it come to Willie G’s overwhelming contributions to motorcycling .
And may I add my congratulations as well Mr Davidson . If there’s an equivalent to Bob Dylan in the world of American motorcycles Wille G is definitely the man !
I’m totally with you Rich & Vince; so are millions of HD riders not deriders 😉
Willie G. has helped to build a brand that is envied by the business world, not just the motorcycle industry. Nuff said.
A great crew of recipients, I know most of these people personally and they all deserve this award., but you have overlooked the Smiths, George sr and George jr from S&S cycle. Two men ,like Willie rhat have made a huge impact to the motorcycle and this great industry we work in.
Can’t say I ever heard of Mark Shadley, or for that matter Rod Woodruff (but I was never a big fan of the Chip).
The others seem pretty well known, but I wonder what the criteria is to be picked for the “Hall of Fame”?
Congrats Woody! Well deserved.
Another great group! We will be there to celebrate and congrats to Willie G… he has done so much over his long career and is a nice person too.
King of BNG (bold new graphics)
Impressive group of industry titans. Hard to place a value on Willie G’s contributions…simply enormous.
well the issue is sturgis, not the mark anybody may have left in motorcycling over all.
willie g produced a sturgis model bike. two actually. he is a no brainer.
people whom were bizz men during bike week of course are going to be recognized. i don’t know if the smiths have ever been to sturgis. if not, thats why they haven’t been voted in.
congrats to Willie G! the man is sorely missed in todays designs.