Museum Tour 2006

World of Motorcycles Museum,
North Judson, Indiana
A virtual “Who’s Who” of Motorcycling
By Rudy Fratten

With a name like that the visitor expects a lot but don’t fret Jim Kersting can deliver the goods.

Kersting Cycle Center is a classic example of the American dream. Through sweat and hard work Jim Kersting, late wife Nella, daughter and two sons have made that dream come true. What started out in the late ’50s as Kersting’s Welding and Repair has blossomed into a motorcycle dealership way out of proportion to the small community where it is located. How did all this come about? Jim recalls, “I clipped a coupon out of a Popular Science magazine one day, which announced that Harley-Davidson was looking for new dealers. I filled it out and mailed it in. Before long Dick Muertz, the factory representative in my area, was knocking on my door. Besides a small amount of paper work to fill out, all I needed to do was place a $250 parts order. Harley-Davidson would ‘floor plan’ the bikes.”

The boys in Milwaukee must have been happy when Jim sold 12 machines in his first year. Almost 40 years later, in 2005, he sold over 250 new Harleys. Jim didn’t say what his parts order was last year but you can bet it was north of $250.




In addition to the Milwaukee line, Kersting’s Cycle Center also carries Yamaha and Kawasaki bikes and ATVs to the tune of 400 per year.

Although Yamaha come on board in the mid 1980s, Kersting’s association with Kawasaki goes back to 1966. They campaigned a Kawasaki 500cc H1R in the 1970 Daytona Junior 100, where Jim finished third overall. Jim is no stranger to competition. In the mid 60s he was a regular at Chicago’s Santa Fe Speedway short track events. Harley’s Italian connection, a Aermacchi 250cc Sprint, provided the thrills with Jim in the saddle.

For a brief period of time, Kerstings was also a dealer of the ill-fated reborn Excelsior-Henderson line. Perhaps it’s a good thing Ignaz Schwinn wasn’t still with us to witness that disaster. “Okay, can we just move on now?” Advice well taken. Let’s take a peak into the museum.

Lawrence of Arabia’s favorite machine, the Brough Superior. This is a 1937 model.

Jim Kersting invested early in this antique motorcycle craze. His first “future” museum piece was purchased in 1967, an Indian Four, of 1932 vintage, that needed a bit of TLC. Unlike most project bikes, this one was fully assembled except for a missing exhaust system. This was no problem for a man of Jim’s background. He quickly fabricated an exhaust system and his $230 Indian Four was on the road. Note to self. When looking for an Indian Four find the one with the missing exhaust system. It appears they are heavily discounted.

The second museum bike Jim acquired was a 1926 Harley-Davidson BA, a single cylinder model. This one cost him dearly. Jim gave the owner $600 for it. weird as it may sound today, the owner traded the Model BA in on a used chopper. A move the owner must still regret.

There was no stopping Jim’s old bike addiction now. Like the saying goes, “I’ve got it bad, but I ain’t looking for a cure.” At first the growing collection of old machines took up residence with the late model hardware on the showroom floor. As the antiques sat quietly, leaking oil, the new models were mocking them. Not a good situation. The only permanent solution was to put some space between the old-timers and the young bucks.


Scooter fans, we’ve got you covered. A Cushman, Allstate and Rokon. Just three of the many cool scooters in this museum.

As the dealership’s facilities grew, which Jim admits seemed like every year, the idea of a building devoted entirely to his antique collection looked to be the answer. The World of Motorcycles Museum became a reality in 2003 when the Kersting family celebrated yet another ground breaking.

Today the World of Motorcycles Museum and Kersting’s Cycle Center is what the motoring press likes to call a “destination.” Not far from the truth it turns out. The average daily museum attendance is 75 visitors on weekdays, while Saturdays can see 200 or more motorcyclists lined up for their free history lesson. Many companies like to make claims such as, “We’ve got everything you need, from A to Z.” Jim Kersting cannot only make this claim but deliver on it. From a 1936 Ariel to a 1944 Zundapp he appears to have the alphabet covered.


Single or 12 cylinders? A 1919 Cleveland single with a custom-built, one of a kind, Lincoln V-12 Zephyr-powered machine.

Since he is not satisfied with static displays, almost all the machines are in running condition. Some friends have accused Jim Kersting of being a pack rat. He offers no apologies. Jim fully admits his addiction to old iron and the museum is a testament to that. We noticed he still has his Junior Daytona 500cc, H1R Kawasaki and we found his Aermacchi Sprint tucked away in a corner. So, “Pack rats of the world unite!” Without them would we even have museums? It’s doubtful.


This is truly a “world” of motorcycles. We counted 56 different brands.

With 27,000 square feet to display over 125 old two-wheelers, dozens of old sales posters, engines, gas pumps, memorabilia and a handful of antique cars, it won’t be long before an even larger museum might be on the horizon.

All this fun can be enjoyed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fridays and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The museum and dealership are closed on Sunday and Monday. Once again, there is no charge, but if you are as impressed as we were, please make a donation.

Kersting Cycle Center and the World of Motorcycles Museum can be reached at: phone (574) 896-3172, fax (574) 896-5030, e-mail: njfromnj@hotmail.com and on the web at, www.kerstingscycle.com. Their address is: Kersting’s Cycle Center, 8774 W. 700 N., Winamac, IN 46996.