I’m Jim Miner from Springville Utah.
Growing up at a farm tractor dealership , (where I still work) I was always interested in anything with an engine. I loved motorcycles but Dad didn’t. He said when I was 16 I could have one ,so I had to beg or borrow someone else’s bike to ride till then. I brought home a Kawasaki 250 on my 16th birthday and quickly learned how to repair a motorcycle. After a few years racing motocross, and getting married I switched to an enduro. A bike little more practical with a family. Then one for everyone in the family. I bought my first Harley in 1993. A Sportster , then a Heritage in 98

After restoring tractors for years and riding motorcycles I started restoring bikes. I Started with a Bridgestone 175, then a Hodaka ace 90. Now I have dozens of restored and original bikes from several European countries, 5 brands from Japan and a dozen Harleys.

Several years ago I bought a WL45. This was my first vintage/antique bike. Then I came home with an EJ Cole 1928 Harley B. Both have been great experience in learning about old American motorcycles.

After tagging along with the Cannonballers on the 45 in 2014 and 2016 for a couple stages, I had to try to find a bike I could afford and hope to somehow get to participate for real.

Just before the cannonball last Sept I bought a 1918 Harley J in hopes of landing a spot in the next cannonball. This bike is unrestored , and by the paint sprayed over everything I think it was some kind of a army or government vehicle.
Now my focus is to bring this old “army bike” back to life and leave as much of the character and personality as I can . Right down to the bullet hole in the case.

I’m very grateful I am getting the chance to put my skills and knowledge to the test on this adventure of a lifetime and hope I am up to the challenge.