#52 Stephen “Doc” Hopkins
Bonduel, WI
1916 Harley Davidson J
| From the very beginning I was fascinated with motorcycles. At the age of 15, I could not afford a motorcycle, so I built my own, a chopper minibike with a five horsepower Briggs engine. And so, the journey began! I rode 3,700 miles around my hometown of Algoma, Wisconsin, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. I even took my little bike to our cinema and was further fascinated by the movie Wild Angels. Later that summer, I sold my handiwork and purchased my first Harley from a local farmer for $2, a 1939 ULH 80 ci. This lit a fire within me! The journey continued when I started my first HD repair shop in Shawano, Wisconsin in a one and a half stall garage that I rented for $75 per month. By April 1, 1983, I became a Harley-Davidson dealer. We are now a family-owned and operated dealership that has grown to a 72-acre complex which includes a restaurant, 2 antique motorcycle and classic car museums, antique mall, and zoo where I have over 125 animals. This unique dealership is truly a destination “Like No Other.” Our entire staff is like family. My son, Steve, is instrumental in our service department. I built my business on outstanding service and am proud to say that he earned the title of Master Technician. His wife, Tammy, is very devoted in her position as general manager of our restaurant. The Timeline Saloon and BBQ is home to my family heirloom recipes and famous motorcycle. The restaurant is named after our 24 ½ foot long, 7 engine motorcycle that seats 10 people. My daughter, Kersten and her husband, Shannon, manage the HD dealership together. Their professionalism, commitment, and experience are essential to our success. I have drag raced nitro Harleys for over 40 years. In 1994, I set a world record on the dragstrip that held for 3 years. In 1995 my Daughter, Kersten also began drag racing Nitro Harleys. A far cry from drag racing, I have enjoyed slowing my pace & successfully completed Cannonball 2016, 2018, & 2021 with perfect scores on Stewball, my 1916 J Model Harley-Davidson with 1913 wicker sidecar. I could not be more delighted at the fact that my girlfriend, Joy will be riding in the sidecar this year. My daughter, Kersten, will be joining me for her 3rd Cannonball with Stewball 2. Also riding on Team Doc’s this year is my son-in-law Shannon for his 2nd Cannonball on a 1924 Harley-Davidson J Model. The newest addition to Team Doc’s is my son Steve, riding a 1919 Harley-Davidson & my good friend Rick Erdman riding a 1924 Harley-Davidson. For exciting Team Doc’s coverage follow the Team Doc’s Facebook page at “Doc’s Motorcycle Cannonball Journey.” https://www.facebook.com/Docsmotorcyclecannonballjourney2016 |
