Jon Louis on the 1947 Harley-Davidson he rebuilt himself.
In pursuit Jon Louis found a hobby — and himself — with Harley-Davidson restoration
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By Tanner Kent | Photos by John Cross
on Louis is more than a Harley-Davidson “enthusiast.” Such a description well understates the Mankato man’s devotion to both his restoration hobby and the quintessentially American motorcycle brand that has become synonymous with the kind of open-road freedom that can only be delivered on two wheels. An enthusiast might own a bike or two — but only a devotee owns more than eight. An enthusiast might attend a swap meet periodically to search for an original part or talk shop with other riders — but only a true fanatic attends seven meets a year.
14 • september 2013 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
A Harley enthusiast is familiar with the company’s long and storied history, its reputation for mechanical innovation and its dominant place in motorcycle culture. Perhaps an enthusiast has even visited a manufacturing site or the Harley museum in Milwaukee. But only a true votary of the brand would memorize the serial numbers of his engines, or contribute to his kids’ college funds with spare parts, or plan a road trip to take his picture in front of the exact factory door his fully restored, all-original 1947 OHV rolled out of some 66 years ago. “That was a good day,” Jon said. “I had goosebumps the