WELCOME TO MIKE'S WORLD
“Are the bikes for sale?” That’s the most asked question here at the Corner Store, and here is the same answer we give everyone - “No, they're not for sale.” If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting the store owner, Mike Surges, you would understand his love for his bikes. Mike has two passions in life - his store & his bike collection. Mike’s interest for these works of art began when he was a young boy. Growing up in Milwaukee, he was surrounded by the influences of Harley Davidson. When he was a teenager, Mike would tell his mom he was going to play in the woods when in reality, he was really running an hour and a half one way down the train tracks to visit a local Harley dealership. Obviously Mike was too young at this point to own one, but he was dumbfounded by their craftsmanship and gained an appreciation for them.
At the age of 13, his father purchased him a Cushman Eagle Motor Scooter. He recalls being chased through the alleyways near his house by the cops since he wasn’t old enough to legally drive it. This was when Mike’s obsession and love for bikes really began. The first ever motorcycle he purchased was a Triumph. He was able to enjoy it for a few years before his wife, Judy, pleaded with him to sell it for their children’s safety. So Mike sold it, and waited again until they were old enough.
Obviously, Mike has gone a little overboard since those days and has been able to curate quite the collection of beautiful motorcycles, from Indians to Harleys. To this day, Mike and his wife still ride their Indian trike in the hot Arizona deserts and the cool Door Peninsula. In our store, you will find 4 beautiful bikes that the Surges family wanted to share because Mike believed everyone deserved to enjoy them. Heck, it also stops them from collecting dust! People from around the country have heard about these bikes and have come to see them. Hide Side and motorcycles are synonymous at this point. We hope you enjoy these bikes as much as we do and are able to come see them in person! Please remember, none of these are for sale.
COLLECTION
1926 Harley Davidson Peashooter
The “Peashooter” was a full on factory racing bike. No brakes. No clutch. No transmission. These bikes were known for racing on board tracks and dirt ovals. The Peashooter helped expand Harley’s market, being shipped internationally, seeing competition in speedway events and becoming a lightweight bike for European enthusiasts.
1931 Indian 101 Scout
Mike purchased this bike in Arizona and made sure it got all the TLC it deserved. This bike has entered and won many bike shows around the state. Every man who visits this store wonders if they can buy this bike. We tell them - stand in line with the rest. The Indian Scout was produced from 1920 to 1949 and rivaled the Indian Chief as the most important model produced. The 101 Scout was produced from 1928-1931. Compared to the original Scout, the 101 had a new frame with more fork rake, a longer wheelbase, and a lower seat height. The 101 was known for its handling and was popular with racers, hillclimbers, and trick riders. In 1931, production of the 101 Scout ceased to exist as the Great Depression was ramping up, forcing Indian to the brink of bankruptcy. However, the 101 Scout’s legacy remains strong as it has been called the best motorcycle Indian ever made.
1948 Indian Chief
If you wanted to purchase an Indian motorcycle in 1948, you had one option - the Indian Chief. The Chief was first introduced in 1922 and lasted in production until 1953. Over the course of those 31 years, many improvements were made to the design. The 1940s version was handsome and comfortable. The 1948 Chief had a 74 cubic inch engine, hand shift, and foot clutch. While one handlebar grip controlled the throttle, the other was a manual spark advance. But once again, Indian’s financial problems caught up with them, ceasing to produce more of this model.
1950 Harley Davidson Panhead
Mike fell in love with this bike when his uncle, a motorcycle officer in Milwaukee, rode one. When he found one, he knew he had to get it. The first ever Panhead hit showroom floors in 1948, right around the time of the postwar motorcycle boom. The name “Panhead” derives from Harley designers' hope to end cylinder-head oil leaks by enclosing the rockers and valve springs under one big, pie-pan shaped cover.