 The Bang family name
started in the motorcycle business one year before the Motor Company. My
Great Grandfather started in the bicycle business in 1895 in Spencer,
Iowa. In 1902, he built a three-wheel cycle with flanged wheels to be
used on railroad tracks. By first adapting a gasoline engine to a
bicycle frame he could have had the first three wheeler. This proved
unsatisfactory to use on railroad tracks. The third wheel was removed
and they made it a motorcycle. Granddad was the road test man and stated
that it was way too crude to ride besides they could not keep tires on
the rims. At the time it made way too much noise and was almost
impossible to ride. The bottom line was that they did not see a future
in the motorcycle. A few years later, NC Bang became an Iver Johnson full
line dealer selling bicycles, motorcycles, and firearms. My Grandfather
Chris became a motorcycle dealer around 1908 selling some of the popular
brands of the day. Chris kept his shop open until the First World War
and then moved on to other things, none cycle related. Chris entered
many endurance races of the day and won his share. His favorite mount
was a Super X.
 My modern day
involvement started in 1948 with a gift from my Dad Elmer Bang: a 1948
Cushman motorscooter. (Thanks Dad) After that there were many famous
makes and brands. I started to work in the motorcycle business as a
parts man in 1964 for Kolbe Cycle--a Honda, BSA Bultaco, and I also
think Muroushio dealer. In 1965, I went to work for MC Supply Company as
a road rep. They handled an accessory line along with the Velocette
brand of motorcycles. I formed my own retail store in Canoga Park in
1967 selling parts for Triumphs and other popular cycles specializing in
Spokes and custom wheel building. Very soon we were remanufacturing
parts and accessories for many makes and models. Soon we only made and
sold parts for the world famous Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle. If you
owned a Harley-Davidson® in the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, you used Gary
Bang parts. My ride started in 1948 with my Cushman and it has been one
hell of a ride since then.
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