Greetings from Visalia, California!
My name is Eric Kitchen. I’m a general contractor specializing in new home and remodeling construction. As is with my brothers, Bill and John, we’ve been avid motorcycle enthusiasts since the early seventies. I started, like many of you, on minibikes, then dirt bikes, motocross and flat track racing in my teens.
I discovered antique motorcycle endurance events at the Las Vegas auction in 2011, shortly after the inaugural Cannonball run in 2010, where this interesting collection of antique motorcycles was being displayed. My brother Bill and I marveled at the capabilities of these veterans . . . to not only survive a 3,000+ mile trek across America but to do so in style. At this point, we considered the possibility.
In 2019, that possibility became closer to reality as we acquired a 1928 Harley-Davidson JD that had previously competed in the 2012 Cannonball event. We followed the admonition of Chris Simmons and rode a significant number of miles through the backroads of California to acquaint ourselves with the intricacies of this 90+ year old motorcycle.
In 2021, we successfully completed the 3,700+/- mile Sault St. Marie to South Padre Island Motorcycle Cannonball. This was an unbelievable experience, and words cannot describe the range of emotions, challenges, friendships garnered, and the exhilaration of accomplishments over the course of seventeen days.
In 2023, I joined Bill riding another 1928 Harley JD that I successfully piloted from Virginia Beach to Oceanside, California. We were accompanied by a third brother, John, as support crew . . . hence the team name, Band of Brothers!
We missed the 2025 TransAm but we’re anxiously awaiting the challenges of 2027! We look forward to reacquainting ourselves with all of our fellow racers and meeting new friends! Best wishes to all!
