Harley-Davidson fans kick-start 100th anniversary

MILWAUKEE -- Blair Kane couldn't celebrate Harley-Davidson's 100th anniversary without his two young daughters.

So he tucked them into his Road King's sidecar and rumbled to Milwaukee with his wife perched behind him -- for all 2,500 miles from their home in British Columbia.

"It's boring in the truck," said 7-year-old Stephanie, preferring the black sidecar stenciled with "Two Peas in a Pod" on back.

Kane, a Harley dealership owner, and his family were among thousands of Harley lovers who roared into southeastern Wisconsin to celebrate the motorcycle maker's centennial. The four-day celebration started Thursday with fireworks blasted from the roof of the firm's downtown headquarters.

Harleys lined the streets. Riders in black leather and denim checked out other bikes and soaked up the all-Harley atmosphere.

John Kavanagh, 43, also didn't let distance deter him from the party. He shipped his motorcycle from his home in Australia to San Francisco, where he reclaimed it for the trip to Milwaukee.

"I have a long history of riding Harleys. I'll probably ride my bike to the 200th," joked Kavanagh, who browsed the motorcycle exhibits.