How Fast Do You Ride?
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
How Fast Do You Ride?
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame
PETE HILL
Hall of Fame Inductee - Pre 2001 (1990)
As a young boy Pete became fascinated by motorcycles during a Christmas parade in his home town. He loved those two wheeled machines that made noise and went fast! When he became a teenager, the first thing on his mind was to buy a Harley-Davidson. He found one and shortly after the priority became modifying the engine. His best friend had a Triumph and Pete had to outrun him. Speed parts were not easy to come by, but someone in Californiawas marketing a dual carburetor set up. It was outrageously priced so Pete made his own and the Triumph was history!
After his son was born, he began drag racing a supercharged alcohol knucklehead. Pete and his wife raced this for a few years, and were fairly successful with it. In 1976, after the birth of their daughter, they went to Indianapolis and saw a Top Fuel motorcycle go down the track and they were hooked! They had opened a motorcycle shop by then and built a race bike. They finished 4th in points for IDBA that first year. In 1979 they finished #3 for Drag bike, #2 in 1980 and #1 in 1981. In 1979 IDBA awarded the Hills the First Family of Drag Racing award. In 1988, Pete ran a 4 second eighth mile on a Harley-Davidson. Pete also won the #1 plate for AMRA that year and again in 1989. In October of 1989 he went to Tennessee and set a world record for Harleys on this same strip - 4.75 seconds in 1/8th mile. Who says nice guys finish last!
Pete is still around his shop in Greenville, SC and still as big of a Harley nut as ever. Great guy and fun to talk with. If you're ever in Greenville stop by and see him.
PETE HILL
Hall of Fame Inductee - Pre 2001 (1990)
As a young boy Pete became fascinated by motorcycles during a Christmas parade in his home town. He loved those two wheeled machines that made noise and went fast! When he became a teenager, the first thing on his mind was to buy a Harley-Davidson. He found one and shortly after the priority became modifying the engine. His best friend had a Triumph and Pete had to outrun him. Speed parts were not easy to come by, but someone in Californiawas marketing a dual carburetor set up. It was outrageously priced so Pete made his own and the Triumph was history!
After his son was born, he began drag racing a supercharged alcohol knucklehead. Pete and his wife raced this for a few years, and were fairly successful with it. In 1976, after the birth of their daughter, they went to Indianapolis and saw a Top Fuel motorcycle go down the track and they were hooked! They had opened a motorcycle shop by then and built a race bike. They finished 4th in points for IDBA that first year. In 1979 they finished #3 for Drag bike, #2 in 1980 and #1 in 1981. In 1979 IDBA awarded the Hills the First Family of Drag Racing award. In 1988, Pete ran a 4 second eighth mile on a Harley-Davidson. Pete also won the #1 plate for AMRA that year and again in 1989. In October of 1989 he went to Tennessee and set a world record for Harleys on this same strip - 4.75 seconds in 1/8th mile. Who says nice guys finish last!
Pete is still around his shop in Greenville, SC and still as big of a Harley nut as ever. Great guy and fun to talk with. If you're ever in Greenville stop by and see him.
Last edited by motohaid; Mar 27, 2018 at 10:59 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
He has had a performance bike shop in G'ville since back in the Knucklehead days. All the old bikers in the area remember him.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
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From: Central California
I have a good buddy that drag races a 'Busa. Just a bracket racer, but still, he's run 8 flat at a buck eighty. Nuts. I drag race too.....on four wheels!
Me? I'm a slow roller. Rarely over the speed limit, happy to cruise along, taking the backroads rather than the super slab. I'm in no hurry to get anywhere when I'm riding.
Me? I'm a slow roller. Rarely over the speed limit, happy to cruise along, taking the backroads rather than the super slab. I'm in no hurry to get anywhere when I'm riding.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
At 86 years old I still wouldn't bet against him.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,912
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From: Spokane, WA
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,837
From: Western South Dakota
Around 90 on the interstate is usually fast enough to stay out of harm's way but faster to get away from a potential situation like in traffic.
Actually I prefer to ride slower but everybody seems to be in a so much of a hurry these days.
If I can I like cruising around 50 with no one behind me or in front of me.
Just a nice speed with nothing to worry about.
Actually I prefer to ride slower but everybody seems to be in a so much of a hurry these days.
If I can I like cruising around 50 with no one behind me or in front of me.
Just a nice speed with nothing to worry about.
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