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“Loaned” by Grace McKeen When Grace McKeen was a young girl, she worked in a restaurant as a waitress to earn some extra spending money, saving for a special purchase- a motorcycle. She visited the local Harley dealer, and looked at a second hand machine she thought she could afford. The old Harley man said “This is what you want, young lady-This brand new Harley” . He then worked out a payment plan for her, and on her 16th birthday, she took delivery of this blue civilian “45”, decked out with everything a young girl needed for her travel adventures. During the fifties, Grace rode her motorcycle all over the USA, and was a member of the “Motormaids”. This organization, formed by famous lady motorcyclist Dot Robinson, held various events such as poker runs, rallies, etc. throughout the country. Marriage and children followed Grace’s carefree biking days, and the well worn “45” was consigned to the basement of the family home, but not forgotten. There it rested until children were grown, educated, and safely launched to their own homes and careers. Then the venerable old Harley was hauled up into the light of day, and sent off for a professional restoration. Grace was at it again! Grace is an active member of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, and can be seen on most of the road runs. She travels long distances between events with her pickup truck, with the Harley on a trailer behind. The personal California license plate on the bike reads “MY45”. The trailer? “4MY45”, of course! These Harley 45’s were used by the military during WW-2, and most survivors are the army variety, making this ’51 a scarce model. I had the pleasure of riding Grace’s machine, and a pleasure it was indeed. I used to ride “45”s that were around when I was young, but most of them had been well worn out by the soldiers who had ridden them during the war. Grace’s is like a new bike. Starting drill is typical Harley. Close the choke when cold, and kick two or three times with the throttle partially open. On with the tank mounted switch, one kick, and its running. A three-speed hand shift, and rocking foot clutch, completes the package. We all hope to see Grace and her blue Harley for many years to come!
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