Bob Kay
A Lifelong Passion for Motorcycles
Bob Kay’s journey through the motorcycle world spans over 50 years, fueled by a deep passion for the industry and thousands of miles on the road. It all started when, as a boy of 10, he was captivated by the sight of two of his father’s friends rolling into his driveway on Harley-Davidson panheads. From that moment, Bob knew he wanted to be a biker.
Though his parents didn’t allow him to have a motorcycle growing up, Bob's fascination only grew, especially with tales of his grandfather’s 1929 Harley-Davidson JD with gold stripes, a bike that became his "Holy Grail." His love for motorcycles remained strong, and in the summer of 1969, after a trip to Woodstock, Bob bought his first bike while at college. Fate led him to become roommates with motocross star John Bettencourt, and Bob’s life in the motorcycle industry officially began.
In 1971, Bob started working at Bettencourt’s second shop, learning the ropes and diving into the world of racing, including motocross, enduro, and road racing. By 1973, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Deborah, and the two opened Bob’s first shop, Motorcycle Madness, in 1974. Though the shop eventually closed, Bob went on to work at Honda of Boston, where he quickly climbed the ranks and realized he needed more education to continue his career in the motorcycle industry.
By 1979, Bob started his first distributorship and earned a degree in Business Administration by 1982. That same year, he joined Nempco, becoming a partner in the company and creating products alongside custom builder Dave Perewitz. Together, they organized the first Nempco Charity Custom Bike Show at Laconia, raising funds for children’s charities.
In 1992, Bob’s partners retired, and Nempco was sold to Tucker Rocky, where Bob served as vice president and general manager of Bikers Choice. His career led him to roles at American Iron Horse, Hardbikes, and eventually founding Biker Pros, a company dedicated to helping American custom builders gain exposure through bike shows.
Bob’s contributions to the custom motorcycle world have been vast, from creating custom bike shows to founding Torian Chopper Leathers. His events, including partnerships with Harley-Davidson, AMD World Championship, and J&P Ultimate Builder, have helped many builders launch successful careers.
Today, Bob remains active in the industry, co-owning A Bikers Garage and mentoring the next generation, including his grandson, who already rides. With a lifetime of stories from the road, Bob Kay is honored to be inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition for his dedication and impact on the motorcycle community.