Nearly 60 years ago, Bill Epley threw his leg over the motorcycle business, gave it a swift kick, twisted the throttle and never looked back. His ride isn't over yet. Bill Epley has been named Grand Marshall of the 2019 Antique Bikes on Main motorcycle rally.
While trying to buy a new bike with money in hand, he couldn't find the decent treatment customers deserve. So he bought some motorcycle magazines, contacting anyone who might help him become a dealer. In 1961, E&H Cycles was established selling Moto Guzzi, Ducati and Norton motorcycles from an old barn behind the family home in Forest City. In 1967, the dealership moved to Pine Street in Spartanburg, then to Hwy 221 in Whitney in 1972. E&H Cycles returned to Forest City in 1978. By 1981, after Honda Motorcycles recruited him as a franchisee, he was in his new building where he still operates E&H Honda with son Howard.
Motorcycle expertise is only part of his success. Bill has special talent with people and became a trusted mentor to many area racers, including Antique Bikes on Main founder Dennis Harris. "If he hadn't helped me rebuild my Ossa engine in '71 when a kid, I doubt I would have kept racing. He didn't sell Ossa. He didn't charge me anything. If he couldn't do it, Bill could walk into Gene Fulton's or John Green's NASCAR shop and get it done. He knew what he was doing. Bill had real connections- not just local. To be honest, there wouldn't be an Antique Bikes on Main rally if not for Bill Epley, what he did for me and so many others."
"We raced all over the country," said Bill. "Lots of motorcycles, lots of friends." Join us in Chesnee, South Carolina July 27-28, 2019 to honor Bill Epley.
For more information about the 15th annual Antique Bikes on Main motorcycle rally in Chesnee, contact Dennis A Harris 864-590-2141 or visit www.AntiqueBikesOnMain.com
Submitted by Clint Button