Who would have dreamed a young teenager and his love of bikes would evolve into a private collection of vintage motorcycles that would rival Harley-Davidson themselves?
Utah Home Builder, Rick Salisbury and his personal love of collecting has amassed well-over 200 vintage motorcycles, mounds of one-of-a-kind memorabilia, a rare trophy collection, and original art by world renowned motorcycle-centric Artists’ such as David Uhl, Scott Jacobs, Tom Fritz, and Bronze sculptor Jeff Decker.
His collection is displayed at Legends Motorcycle’s in Springville, Utah. Legend’s has a full service Parts and Service department, Sidecar Café and Museum. The upper viewing gallery is home to Salisbury’s crown jewel, a completely unrestored 1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank. One of only three 1907 Strap Tank’s in existence, Salisbury’s is the only bike that survived with its original paint, engine, frame and tires. Across the Legends Compound you can grab a beer at this StrapTank Brewery named for his rare bike.
Salisbury’s collection includes other rarities such as; a1905 Single (World’s Oldest Harley Davidson) and to the left a rare1909 Single-Police (that served in the La Crosse, Wisconsin Police Department), the oldest unrestored Indian motorcycle-a 1903 Camel Back, his 1916 Excelsior, which Salisbury rode cross-country in the 2016 Cannonball, and a truly incomparable bike, a Feilbach “Limited” the last bike off production, that was built using left-over parts which remained after the bankrupted Feilbach Motor Co. shuttered its manufacturing factory in 1914.
This year’s Cannonball Run will be Rick’s fifth personal Cannonball. He rode previously in the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 rides, as well as, the 2019 Cross Country Chase
Located somewhere deep in the Pacific Coast Range of Northern California, rider number 18 is the owner of Santa Cruz Vintage Cycles and he keeps himself quite busy with the business of buying, selling and swapping old motorcycles. Doug is one of only three riders who have managed to experience the transcontinental adventures of each one of the five Motorcycle Cannonball endurance runs. He made the prior journeys on a 1915 Indian, twice on Four Cylinder Hendersons and once on a 103-year-old Thor machine manufactured by the Aurora Automatic Machinery Co. of Aurora, Illinois. Doug aligned himself with a group of other Thor wranglers who dubbed themselves the Thor Losers and the gaggle of guys careened themselves merrily along the back roads of America while tinkering to keep the bikes in the wind every day.
The 2018 Cannonball, Feinsod signed up to make the fifth iteration, proving out the depth of his serious addiction. Riding a 1928 Indian Four Cylinder and making all the miles while enjoying a fantastic ride from Portland to Portland.
Hello I’m Tom Banks from Pittsburgh, Pa. I grew loving motorcycles as my father was an Indian dealer and a flat track racer. My dads best friend Bob Hart was a Harley guy. So I collect mostly Harley’s and a few Indians and love old motorcycles. I’m so looking forward to the Cannonball 2020 as I will get to ride with my brother, George. I will ride a 1912 single Harley-Davidson in the 2020 Motorcycle Cannonball.
Jeff Lauritsen # 22 will be riding a 1916 Excelsior. Jeff first became interested in the cannonball run when he was introduced to it in 2012 as a spectator in Sturgis SD. As an avid rider and collector of antique motorcycles, Jeff fell in love with the cannonball run and the challenge that came along with it. Jeff joined the Cannonball team in 2014, returning for the 2016, and 2018 rides. It’s the ride, the challenge, and the people that has kept Jeff and his team coming back for more. They look forward to reuniting with the cannonball family in 2021 for yet another epic adventure.
Keegan Wrieth will be the alternate rider for number “22” Jeff Lauritsen. Keegan is Jeff’s grandson, and has been riding motorcycles since he was 3 years old. Keegan was 9, when Grandpa Jeff purchased a 2008 Yamaha 90cc dirt bike for him for Christmas. He has since rebuilt a 1983 Honda Shadow 500 from Grandpa Jeff as part of his small engine class in high school. He currently owns a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 which was his first purchase as an adult on his own.
Keegan has followed his grandpa Jeff on 3 Cannonball tours, and is beyond excited to participate with him in the 2021 run!
Rumor has it……that my love of motorcycles began at an early age when my parents forbid me to have one. So, I did what any red blooded American male would do….I bought one as soon as I moved out. My love of antique motorcycles developed over time, thanks to some great friends who have served as mentors and general instigators. I have been fortunate enough to ride in the 2014 and 2016 Cannonballs, as well as provide support for the 2018 Cannonball. I look forward to riding again in 2020!
“Dream big and dare to fail” – famed adventurer Norman Vaughn.
To me, this represents the spirit of the Cannonball riders. The physical and mental challenge of riding antique motorcycles thousands of miles competing against nature, other competitors, and one’s own self. I am honored to be in the 2020 Cannonball. I will be riding a 1925 Harley JD and also lucky to have my son Kyle riding alongside me on his 1928 Harley JD. Many thanks to my fellow Cannonball riders and staff who have guided me in the rebuild of both the bikes from the ground up.
Cannonball Rider #27
6/20/2021
I am Alive2ride! Questionable friends and the quest for new roads on old motorcycles led me to the 2019 Cross Country Chase…and now the Cannonball. The Chase was not only an adventure, but for me was a life changing fork in the road. Since then, I finished with perfect mileage score on the 2021 Chase through the Ozarks.
Old motorcycles are life changing all on their own, but my 2019 Chase was memorable AND life changing. While hiding in the lady’s department at a Harley stop along the Chase route, I spent some time on the phone scheduling a biopsy to check for prostate cancer. With no symptoms, but only an elevated PSA number, I thought the call was a waste of time and my high PSA number was the result of bouncing my prostate around on old motorcycle seats. It turns out I was very wrong. On November 5th a call from my doctor confirmed I had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Eight weeks later a robot and excellent doctor successfully removed my prostate. Proactive PSA testing turned out to be a lifesaving test.
I finished the Chase, but also started Alive2ride.org, a not-for-profit organization, with the sole purpose of promoting PSA testing for men above 50…especially hard-headed motorcycle enthusiasts! I hope you check out the website. There is great information on the site about the ease of PSA testing, even a prize for men who get tested.
Now back to Cannonballs…In 2016 I traveled from Hays to Dodge City to see Terry Richardson and his bike as they traveled on the Cannonball through Kansas. There were a bunch of cool old bikes, and a big crowd, but no Terry. His bike was on the trailer with a blown engine. So…the story begins!
In 2018, I traveled with a friend on contemporary motorcycles to Pierre, South Dakota to see Terry, hopefully still riding his bike. Terry was joined on this Cannonball with my friends the Patterson brothers from Hays, KS. Terry was running strong, but the Patterson bike blew its engine on the long hill up to Pierre. There is still much discussion about whether it was driver error, but either way, it was time to tear things apart. Two days later the Patterson bike with a newly repaired engine, was back in the Cannonball and finished the race.
The challenge was too much fun to resist, so here I am, Alive2ride, in the 2021 Cannonball. I will be riding number 27, a bike build by Pat Patterson, with an engine and transmission rebuild by Rob Nussbaum, and finishing touches by Chris Coss. It’s a special 1926 Harley Davidson JD, with a 1929 dual headlight front fork. It’s certainly unique and is very fun to ride. Look for the dual headlights, and I’ll be looking for you at the starting line or along the route of the 2021 Cannonball.
Website: Alive2ride.org
E-mail: gary@alive2ride.org
Hello, I am Pat Patterson from Castle Rock, CO (also Hays, Kansas). My love of motorcycles started when I was young with mini bikes, evolving to enduros, street bikes, Harleys, and then all bikes. It wasn’t until 2008, when I bought a BMW 650 to ride through Europe, Asia and Russia. This is when I really got into long and challenging rides, and the real fun of motorcycling began. In 2012 Terry Richardson asked me to go up to Iowa to see the Kelly Modlin and Gerald Timms in the Cannonball. To which I replied, “what is that”? Then I would listen to his stories of vintage motorcycles and would stop by his shop and look at the old bikes he was building for the Cannonball, and wonder why would anybody do that. Slowly, but surely I started to understand the addiction and challenge to riding vintage motorcycles. Then in 2014 he asked me if I would help out on the Cannonball by driving or riding in the support vehicle. At the end, I backed out, then for two years, I had to listen to his stories (embellishments)! In 2016 Chris Coss and I drove Terry’s support vehicle to verify his story telling and to enjoy being on the Cannonball. After the run, I told Terry I would drive for him again in 2018, to which he said “you are riding in ’18”. So the Cannonball addiction takes over with the purchase of a 1926 JD. My brother Marty Patterson, Terry Richardson, Chris Coss and I went in together on building and riding in the 2018 Cannonball with my brother and I trading riding off every other day. It’s been a great experience and I have enjoyed the time on Cannonball, time building the bike, and everything that goes on between the ride. I look forward everyday to the 2020 Cannonball. The friendships and the fun that will be had. And lastly, a shout out to my brother Marty(co-rider in 18), who is currently a Cannonball prospect for 2020, and would like to become a Cannonball family member.