1926 Harley Davidson JD

Hey Cannonballers, friends, and families! I’m Brian McCrocklin, rider number 181 and, one of the current owners of Departure Bike Works, here in Richmond, VA. I’ve dedicated the last 15 years of my life to riding and wrenching on antique two wheeled machines. What started out as a love of early mopeds turned into an obsession with keeping old Harleys on the road. After my dealer training at MMI in Orlando, Florida I spent several years working as a technician at Richmond Harley- Davidson. I later moved on to Departure where I took a position restoring antique Harley and Indian motorcycles. During that time I had the opportunity to build several hot rod 45 motors, two of which have had great success at Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed race in New Smyrna Beach, FL. My involvement with sons of speed sparked an interest in the even earlier Harley IOE machines and has led to my decision to participate in the 2023 Motorcycle Cannonball. I will be riding a 1926 Harley-Davidson JD that I am building specifically for the Cannonball. The motorcycle will be equipped with stock Harley frame, motor, front end and fenders while wearing upgraded tanks for fuel capacity and more modern custom wheels for safer tires and brakes. This will be my first Motorcycle Cannonball and I know no matter what happens it will be a great experience!