Harper's Moto Guzzi History

Harper’s Moto Guzzi is 50 years old.
I would like to say congratulations to my father, Mike Harper who opened Raytown Cycle Center in March of 1970. While technically starting business in the garage in 1967, taking on Hodaka in 1969 and then building the structure at 6324 Overton with the oversight of his father George O Harper. Up to this point Mike had been US Navy from 1958 to 1962, met my mother in California and were married 6 weeks later. When they moved back to the KC area, he took a job as a Raytown Police officer, then at Lake City Army Arsenal all the while working on bikes in the garage.

1970

First Year

1970

First Year

During the first year in 1970 he took on the Moto Guzzi and Ducati franchises, then BSA, Triumph, Norton, GRM, Kami, Steen and Speedway Mini Bikes. Over those first few years most of those marques died on the vine. So by attrition we had become strictly Moto Guzzi. In 1987 took on Yamaha which lasted till 1983. Moved from the shop in Raytown in 1987 to our current location in Greenwood and have been strictly Moto Guzzi ever since.

Guzzi Rallies

Though we don’t do it any more all thru the 1970’s 80’s 90’s and 2000’s would make half a dozen Guzzi Rallies a year to showcase the many products he had invested in to make Moto Guzzi better. Over those years, we have produced the Outsider in many improved versions, we have made saddle bags, light bars, timing gears, head guards, levers both hand and foot controls, mufflers and still making many accessories to this day.

5 Different Importers

Dealership Inventory

5 Different Importers

Dealership Inventory

Moto Guzzi has been in the hands of 5 different importers during our tenure as a dealer. Berliner / Premier, then DeThomaso, followed by Moto America, then Aprilia and now Piaggio. Thru all of this having to learn each company’s quirks, strategies and practices. And yep, still here.Also during this time we have bought out over 200 dealership inventories, three times being the obsolete inventory of Moto Guzzi in the USA and once in Canada. Investing in the future of the brand.

Moto Guzzi Shop For 50 Years

Now time and nature have their way with all of us and at 80 years old last month Mike doesn’t get to ride any more, but he is in the shop almost every day still there to answer your service questions and help in anyway he can. We may not have made every person out there happy over the years, but I don’t think you will find anyone in this country that has tried any harder. So if ya have the inkling, drop him a note or give him a call, or drop a comment because like him or not I think 50 years with anything as a business owner is quite an accomplishment. And 50 years as a Moto Guzzi shop, well that’s just damn impressive.