Share this on

Harleys reflect brother's love

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 28, 2001

HIGH POINT — Two rare, all-chrome-plated Harley Davidsons that were on display at the Standard Furniture showroom here have a touching history.

Retailer Bob McKinney of McKinney's Furniture, based in East Liverpool, Ohio, brought the motorcycles to High Point to share the story.

They're 1952 models and have chrome on just about every square inch of surface but the seats. What makes the big bikes exceedingly rare is that they also have chrome-plated saddlebags originally made for an Indian motorcycle.

Bob's brother Richard "Kenny" McKinney had owned a bike just like it in the 1950s, but sold it when he got married and needed the money. Later, he always carried a picture of the Harley in his wallet.

In 1994, Bob McKinney wanted to surprise Kenny, so he scoured motorcycle and parts dealers and finally bought a duplicate of the one Kenny sold, complete with chrome saddlebags. Bob surprised his brother with it on Christmas 1994, and Kenny rode the Harley home.

It was to be his last motorcycle ride. He fell ill and subsequently died of a brain tumor.

Today, Bob and other family members keep the gleaming Harley, and a duplicate that Bob also bought, in showroom shape in Kenny's memory.

Posing with the matching 1952 all-chrome Harley Davidsons at the Standard showroom are Rick McKinney, left, of McKinney's Furniture, East Liverpool, Ohio, who is the son of Robert "Kenny" McKinney; Billy Hodgson, Standard; Greg McKinney; Bob McKinney; and Don Mecke and Doug Aasgaard, both of Standard.

Share this on

Standard expanding in High Point

Apr 13, 2012

Lazzaro Leather to show expanding line in larger IHFC space

Apr 9, 2012

What's new in bedding? See our Vegas preview

Jan 25, 2012

Ambiente Adds Fjords Studio

Feb 21, 2011

AICO adds 10,000 square feet in High Point

Oct 4, 2010

Also by this author

Also by Staff Staff

Featured Company

FurnitureCore.com

FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more

Most Recent Resources

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

Here is a selection of products shown at this month's International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here.

Networking at the 13th annual F/T Leadership Conference

NAPLES, Fla. — Industry executives and guests took the opportunity to network and play golf during down time at Furniture/Today's 13th annual Leadership Conference here this month.