Triumphrat

Dealer World Magazine · 05-20-2008, 12:51 PM

Dealer World Inc, publisher of American Motorcycle Dealer (AMD), Dealer World and International Dealer News magazines, as well as owner/operator of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Ace Cafe London Ltd to bring the legendary gathering spot for millions of motorcyclists, the Ace Cafe, to Champions Park on Lazelle St.. The Ace Cafe will be a part of the Champions Park entertainment complex along with The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, Champions Park vendor row and the S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary celebration.

“Our vision has always been to have Champions Park as a center of activity on Lazelle St during the Rally”, says AMD Publisher/Owner Robin Bradley. “We have always wanted to bring something to Sturgis that would be iconic for all bikers and what better than the Ace Cafe.”

Originally opened as a 24 hour road side cafe in 1938, the Ace Cafe quickly began to draw motorcyclists who would hang out with the height of the site’s popularity coming in the 1950’s and 60’s with the “Ton Up Boys” and “Rockers”. The cafe was closed in 1969.

Re-opened in 1997 by Mark Wilsmore, with a major refurbishment in 2001, the Ace Cafe is once again the center of motorcycling for a new generation of enthusiasts.

"We are very excited, thrilled and honored with the opportunity, in this the cafe's 70th anniversary year, to not only be present at the world renowned and legendary Sturgis Rally, but also to be able to play our part at the prestigious World Championship of Custom Bike Building", says Mark Wilsmore, Managing Director.

The Ace Cafe will be open the entire week of the Sturgis Rally - Sunday, August 3rd through Saturday August 9th from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Champions Park and the Ace Cafe will be located at 3rd and Lazelle St in Sturgis.

Slinky · 05-21-2008, 02:30 PM

I don't understand what it is they are doing.. are they shipping the whole Ace Cafe over to Sturgis for a week? The shipping will be pretty expensive

Or are they building a full size replica? Seems a lot of trouble to go to for just a week.

Mattrat · 05-21-2008, 02:40 PM

they're just selling tee shirts. the gay pirate crowd likes those.

Rock500 · 05-21-2008, 05:40 PM

Same here; I don't quite get what they're going to do.

Rocky

HiVel · 05-21-2008, 07:12 PM

I do not think the H-D boys know what the ACE Cafe is--there were no Harleys there during the 60's-maybe they can smash up some Brit bikes with sledgehamers or something .
This is stupid IMHO

Budo · 05-21-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slinky

I don't understand what it is they are doing.. are they shipping the whole Ace Cafe over to Sturgis for a week? The shipping will be pretty expensive

Or are they building a full size replica? Seems a lot of trouble to go to for just a week.

Same here... I hope more details would resurface.

cafetbird · 05-21-2008, 11:58 PM

It would be really cool if they could bring this to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Ohio this July, then roll it on to Sturgis. This being the year of the Triumph, and 50th anniversary of the Bonneville at VMD, it would fit right in, and the people there would certainly "get it"! Will Stoner is a huge Triumph fan - I bet he would bite!

Maybe is someone could organize a Bonneville ride out to Sturgis and the Ace Cafe, this would be a cool gig. We could have a Hollister rematch even

HiVel · 05-22-2008, 11:37 AM

Hoo boy- a beer drinking contest with the in crowd! I can't wait!!

Shakey · 05-23-2008, 02:42 AM

There was talk of the Ace Cafe opening franchises outside the UK. Looks like that's what they're doing. This would appear to be a permanent business establishment. Why they would pick Sturgis I'm not quite sure. It has been the go to Harley bash for years. Not much to do with cafe racing, or Brit bikes. It's fine if the owners of the Ace want to sell franchises. Just don't think much of this particular location.