1979

Eddie Rieken was made famous by a 1979 Michael Lichter photo taken in City Park, Sturgis when Michael was just starting out. Back then, Sturgis attracted maybe 3,000 people and City Park was allowing open camping, first-come, first-served. Eddie partied hard the night before so he parked what was valuable to him and slept next to it.

A lot has changed since then...

City Park no longer allows camping.

Eddie is no longer living in Michigan.

Gone is the rigid pan head.

2010

Eddie is stopping by High Country Harley-Davidson/Buell on his way back to Minnesota.

His 2001 Harley is making a noise. My guess is he has a new model for that leg too, but probably with a new Bar & Shield logo on it.

31 years later, life is still about the ride. His riding partner has his own story.

Dain lost his left leg and fashioned a right side shifter to it, (notice it in parallel to the rear cylinder, it is shafted across to the other side to make the shifter linkage) and due to some comfort issues, rides with his prosthesis removed.

That gets a fair amount of undue attention from law enforcement.

They are on a ride that started in Tennessee, went to Minnesota, to Sturgis, then to Boulder to visit Michael Lichter. They are now headed back to Minnesota. We wish them a safe ride home and thank them for stopping by.