Erwin Smith
1995, Promotion
Smitty bought his first motorcycle in 1928, a 1908 Flying Merkel at a price of $5.00.
He is and has been a motorcycle dealer in Rock Island, Illinois, since 1940. He took a 3 year break from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the U.S. Army as a Tank Retriever.
Upon his military discharge, he reopened for business on January 1, 1946 with one Indian motorcycle and a parts inventory with a value of $34.00.
Over the years he has sponsored such famous motorcycle racers as Ed Kretz, Sr., Bill Tuman, Joe Bissman, Mickey Green, Dave Camlim, Don Camlim, and his own brother Lyle Smith.
In 1947 he aided in getting the School Board to open the Browning Field running tract to motorcycle racing. This lasted for two seasons...The neighbors complained, not about the noise, but about the dust seeping into their kitchens.
From there he went on to aid in the opening of the East Moline Football Field and Track to motorcycle racing, the old Route 6 Speedway in Coal Valley, and Shea Haines Track in Davenport, Iowa.
He is the past president of the Blackhawk Chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club (AMC). For 5 years, he served on the Board of Directors of the National Antique Motorcycle meets in Davenport, Iowa.
He rides his 1941 Indian 741 Scout on all the Antique Club runs; Spearfish, SD.; Lake Tahoe; and the Tennessee Valley run. He is wherever there is an event.
Smitty still enjoys rebuilding antique motorcycles (Indians). He and his wife, Pearl are still in the motorcycle business in Rock Island...55 years and still selling!
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