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GODSPEED DON GRAVES

  • Dealernews
  • Dec 15, 2020

 

 

More sad news as another pioneer of the motorcycle sport and industry has passed away. Graves' good friend and associate Rob Hassay has reported that Don died peacefully in his sleep over the weekend. Anybody who ever exhibited at the Dealer Expo or the IMS tour will always remember Don being the first one on duty during set-up days, bringing coffee and a bright smile to start off another great show! 

“Mr. Graves, you were the consummate gentleman, a voice of reason, a teacher, an industry leader & advocate, and all around good man,” says IMS boss Tracy Harris. “We will miss your stories, your advice and your huge zest for living life fully every single day.”

“Our motorcycle world has a hole in it today that will never be filled,” adds Hassay. “One of our greatest, my best buddy and mentor Don Graves left us, his family and this world. Wish I had words to describe what Don meant to our industry and so many of us individually. Now Don joins his pals Everett Brashear and Ron Bishop in being Guardian Angels to us all. While we have lost an industry leader and pioneer, Don's family has lost their loving Father and Grandfather. Please keep them in your prayers.”

P.S. Don is one of the 2020 group of Industry Icons in Gene Woods Hot Shoe Hall Of Fame in Las Vegas. The Grand Opening is January 31. I’m sure we will be passing the microphone around between Paul Collins, Larry Coleman, Vette Man Smith, Lee Chapin and more, with plenty of DG stories and memories to share. Be there if you can.

According to motorcycle industry historian, former Dealernews publisher and long-time friend Don Emde, Don Graves, 89, was part of a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who helped get the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers established in the United States in the early-1960s. Don first became a sales rep in Texas for American Honda and in 1960 was making news with racing success on a little 50cc Honda. He rose up in the industry, moving to Suzuki, Yamaha and later Kawasaki, where in 1968 he became their National Sales Manager.

The U.S. motorcycle aftermarket was also in need of people with business experience to run their companies. Graves eventually left the OEMs and took on numerous positions through the years with companies including S&W shocks, Interpart, K&N, LeMans Corporation (Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties) and others. 

Don always stayed busy. Based in the San Diego area, he was a partner for many years with Baja legend Ron Bishop in a Husqvarna dealership. He also managed the Accessories Pavillion at the annual IMS consumer shows and in his later years worked with his good friend Rob Hassay representing aftermarket manufacturers at the big rallies such as Sturgis, Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest. 

I can add personally that I will always remember Don as one of the founding fathers of the modern motorcycle industry in the United States. He and other pioneers such as Paul Collins, Everett Brashear, Don Brown, Gary Bryson, Blaine Birchfield, Gene Trobaugh, Jack McCormack and others had their fingerprints on some or all four of the Japanese manufacturers in their careers. They also were great mentors to many of the next generation, including myself. They showed us how to make things happen and I am thankful that Don Graves and the others let me in their circle through the years.

As President of the Trailblazers, let me say that we will miss Don Graves greatly. He was a long time member and inducted many years ago into the Trailblazers Hall of Fame.

Godspeed old friend.

Don Emde

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