The Wickline Speed Shop - Harley Legend in a Shoebox

A Harley Legend in a Shoebox

If the world had known Instagram in 1932, the Wickline family probably wouldn’t have had the time to share their high speed family life: when the day was done working on their Botetourt County, Virginia farm, CT Wickline went right over to his small workshop. This was the place where he worked on his hopped up Harley-Davidsons, always looking forward to the next race he was going to take part in. His means and methods were simple, his ambition was sky high – and his ingenuity knew no bounds.

Almost 100 years later a happy accident brought this remarkable history back into the light of day. When Trey Burnart Hall, great-grandson of CT Wickline, had Thomas H. Rakes over for a chat, Thomas stumbled across a black and white photo of a little girl next to a Knucklehead Harley, sitting on a shelf. A few quick questions later Trey had produced an old shoe box brimming with ancient family history photos, and a bunch of Harley-Davidson racing history as well. This was the starting point of the "Wickline Project".

The two buddies realized pretty quick that this find was more than just the story of a farmer who was part-time wrenching motorcycles in his barn. CT’s passion and his eye for detail had led to innovations that even the Harley Racing dept was profiting off. His bikes were winning races – hill climbs, dirt track races, and early drag races. In his time CT’s bikes set standards and inspired wrenchers and racers along the whole East Coast.

His wife Happy was his happy match in all this. An avid motorcyclist herself, she organized events, brought people together and did her part to grow the Harley racing scene in Virginia and beyond. Legend even has it that the Wicklines’ efforts helped to get the Daytona Bike Week off the start line.

What an incredible archive: countless black and white photos of races, of wrenching, of family life – an history of boundless enthusiasm for motorcycles and what they can do best: be loud, be fast. Thomas H. Rakes’ and Trey Burnart Hall’s book tells this story with photos of Harleys at top speed, shedding burning rubber and billowing dust galore. Proof that the Wicklines are still on the road. On Instagram, in this book, and in the hearts of Harley aficionados worldwide.