New Location

On April 15th 2005, Gary Bang Harley-Davidson opened its doors to its new store.  The 25,000 square foot store is much bigger and better than the old dealership which opened its doors in the 80's.  We have a larger sales floor allowing you to see more of our variety of motorcycles, clothing, and accessories.  We feel it's the nicest building in Atascadero.

Gary Bang History in Motorcycles

The Bang family name started in the motorcycle business one year before the Motor Company. My Great Grandfather started in the bicycle business in 1895 in Spencer, Iowa. In 1902, he built a three-wheel cycle with flanged wheels to be used on railroad tracks. By first adapting a gasoline engine to a bicycle frame he could have had the first three wheeler. This proved unsatisfactory to use on railroad tracks. The third wheel was removed and they made it a motorcycle. Granddad was the road test man and stated that it was way too crude to ride besides they could not keep tires on the rims. At the time it made way too much noise and was almost impossible to ride. The bottom line was that they did not see a future in the motorcycle. A few years later, NC Bang became an Iver Johnson full line dealer selling bicycles, motorcycles, and firearms. My Grandfather Chris became a motorcycle dealer around 1908 selling some of the popular brands of the day. Chris kept his shop open until the First World War and then moved on to other things, none cycle related. Chris entered many endurance races of the day and won his share. His favorite mount was a Super X.

My modern day involvement started in 1948 with a gift from my Dad Elmer Bang: a 1948 Cushman motorscooter. (Thanks Dad) After that there were many famous makes and brands. I started to work in the motorcycle business as a parts man in 1964 for Kolbe Cycle--a Honda, BSA Bultaco, and I also think Muroushio dealer. In 1965, I went to work for MC Supply Company as a road rep. They handled an accessory line along with the Velocette brand of motorcycles. I formed my own retail store in Canoga Park in 1967 selling parts for Triumphs and other popular cycles specializing in Spokes and custom wheel building. Very soon we were remanufacturing parts and accessories for many makes and models. Soon we only made and sold parts for the world famous Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle. If you owned a Harley-Davidson® in the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, you used Gary Bang parts. My ride started in 1948 with my Cushman and it has been one hell of a ride since then.