Iron Man Stan Dishong
Stan the Iron Man Dishong was a true motorcycle legend here on the West coast.
He bought his first Harley in 1944 at age 16. He first raced on the salt flats of Bonneville in 1951 setting a short lived land speed record of 156 mph. This was the first year the Southern California Timing Association invited motorcycles and Stan was one of only 10 riders asked to participate.
He originally opened Stan’s Cycle in Vallejo as a BSA dealership in 1953 but he worked more with Harleys and Indians. Stan and Jackie’s house was three doors down from the shop and at some point the street was officially renamed Dishong St.
It was during this period that Stan raced his reputedly undefeated 1937 Indian Scout drag bike.
One of his many innovations was the first racing slick on a drag bike. He had the Pope Tire co. vulcanize a flat strip of rubber onto the rear tire of his Indian in July 1953.
He was probably best known for the Panhead engine he converted to overhead cam in the late 50’s.
He successfully raced this engine in a bike he called the “Hog”. Stan raced at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, Kingdon in Lodi and the Nationals at Vaca Valley raceway in Vacaville to name a few.
Here’s an early version of the Hog at Kingdon drag strip, Lodi, 1957
Here’s a more recent version of the Hog.
In addition to Stan’s Cycle, he operated Dishong Manufacturing, a facility that made after-market parts for motorcycles.
Stan’s Cycle was filled with rare motorcycles and related memorabilia. He not only displayed the racing bikes he had built and raced, he also had some extremely rare antique bikes, originals and restorations of many different makes and models.
One of Stan’s customers in Vallejo was another racing legend; Burt Munro from New Zealand whose record setting runs at Bonneville were made into the movie “The World’s Fastest Indian”.
In 1987 he closed Stan’s Cycle in Vallejo and moved to Port Orford Oregon where they bought a 13 acre ranch and, for the next 15 years, Stan and Jackie restored many of his antique motorcycles.
Jackie passed away in 2002 so, together with his daughter Jeanette, he sold the ranch and opened the Antique Motorcycle and Auto Museum in August 2003.
Along with a few antique cars, guns and early electronics, Stan displayed 33 motorcycles. The oldest was one of the first motorcycles ever built in the United States; a 1896 Marks, built in San Francisco with serial #1, originally purchased as a basket case for $100.
Another rare bike was his 1934 Harley Speedway. Only 20 were originally built and only three or four remain in existence today.
Also on display, in no particular order; a 1903 Indian, 1911 Pope, 1914 Indian 8 valve Board Track Racer,. 1920 Indian Hill Climber, 1926 Indian Prince, and a 1928 Harley Factory Hill Climber.
In June 2006 Stan closed the museum in Port Orford and, due to declining health, moved to a suburb of Boise Idaho to be near his family.
A motorcycle collector/investor bought Stan’s motorcycles and sold many of them at the annual Mid-America Vintage Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas the following January.
Stan Dishong passed away in January 2008. He not only preserved motorcycle history, he made motorcycle history.
This has been a welcomed guest post by Perry from the West Coast. Perry’s 1957 Pan was a featured Readers Ride on this site back in November of 2009.
Thanks Perry!
Dear EGIB (Jeff):
The minimalist design of the motorcycles pictured here qualifies them as mechanical works of art. Like the great bikes of yesterday, the great bikers are equally unique. This was a very interesting glimpse into motorcycle history.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Comment by Jack Riepe — January 28, 2010 @ 11:14 pm
A wonderful read! Thanks for posting this….a meaningful and educational read with links taking us to further expand our knowledge…Good job
Comment by Chessie — January 29, 2010 @ 5:03 am
Jack,
I think one could say, Iron Man Stan was one of the guy’s that kicked open the door to motorcycle drag racing. Pushing the motorcycle way beyond the design and having the balls to pilot the machine is truly unique.
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — January 29, 2010 @ 8:54 am
Chessie,
All thanks to Perry,
When Perry told me he was doing a write-up for a local riders group news letter about Stan, he wondered if I would like to post it here on my site. I said hell ya!
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — January 29, 2010 @ 9:12 am
By no means do I pretend to be an expert on Stan Dishong and I hope that others with more first hand knowledge will use this venue to help educate us all.
Comment by Perry — January 30, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
Looks like Perry did his homework ,Stan was way ahead of his time and I wonder where we would be today if Arlenn Ness was his neighbor ?
Comment by George Alfonsin — January 30, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
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Pingback by Tweets that mention Electra Glide In Blue -- Topsy.com — January 30, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
I used to buy hard to find motorcycle parts from Stan Dishong. Also, he would sometimes give me a break when I was down of my luck and needed a part to keep my motorcycle on the road. He was very friendly and knowlegable.
Back in the day, I had a motorcycle with a famous Dishong Springer extended front end on it. It was a very much improved spinger front end. This was back when we had choppers that had long, extended front ends on them.
Comment by Spacy Mike — January 31, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Stan Dishong was like a second father to me, i lived in Vallejo and meet stan when i was 16 years old. I had bought a 1947 knuckle head from Hismith a man who worked for Stan in the Dishong after market sales.
later i worked for Stan for several years helping him restore many of the old motorcycles which he displaied in his museum.
The fires drag slick I ever ran, was an old Avon tire that Stan had made into a slick.
I still remember the day I got the old 1937 Scout completed and fired it up for Stan. he had the biggest smile on his face, riding it around in front of the shop.
I think the day he close and sold his Museum, was the saddest days of his life and broke his heart.
I have a lot of memory’s of Stan Dishong.
You can contact me through the admin of this site using: admin@my68flh.com.
Comment by Stanley Lancaster — February 1, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
I also went to Stan’s shop back in the day,and everthing that is being said about this man is true. He was a self made mechincal genius,and alway’s helpful to me.I went to see him when he was closing the museum,and he let me have some treasures from there.The man deseves to be in the AMA Hall of Fame more than some that are there.After all be built a fuel injected,overhead cam ,single fire,96 in. panhead years before H-D even had a thought about a V-Rod. Thank Stan
Comment by Ron — February 3, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
I met Stan back in the early ’90′s, when I was doing the final restoration to my ’46 knucklehead. We became good friends, and when he learned that I did custom paintwork for a living, we formed a deal where I’d trade parts from him, for me doing paintwork for him. I eventually got to paint, letter, and pinstripe many of the bikes he restored throughout the years in his collection.
When Stan finally decided to put together a museum…I was thrilled. I always thought that it was a shame that the public wasn’t able to see the amazing bike collection Stan had built up, and had in his shop in the woods. I ended up painting the racetrack murals you can see behind his collection in the museum photos, plus I did all the signwork for it as well. It was a very sad day when Stan closed the museum. The locals knew they were losing a vast one-of-a-kind motorcycle collection, and a very important person in the history of motorcycling with the closing. And yes, Stan’s heart was broken to see it all go.
Stan was a very soft spoken gentleman. He would politely follow folks around the collection, answering questions & comments they may have had. But once a person spotted something unique on a bike and pointed it out to Stan that they knew what they were looking at…well that was all it took! The floodgates would open, and Stan would go on and on about the details of this and that on all the bikes. He knew each and every one of them intimately, and could talk for hours about the history and significance of each and every one. It was pretty comical to watch sometimes.
It’s nice to see Stan and his bike collection getting some recognition here on the web…but too bad Stan’s not with us anymore to enjoy the attention. I’m sure he’d have some funny comments, and corrections, to make about things said on here.
One last thing…after the museum building was sold, the new owners gave me back the museum sign. I have it up for sale if anyone would like to buy it. (It’s too big for me to hang in my shop…4′ tall x 32′ long!) Please e-mail me if you’re interested at all. Thanx!
Comment by Patrick — March 2, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
I just wrote this on facebook then googled Stan. Your page is the 1st i opened. I didn’t know Stan had passed away, That hurts, My facebook message :Gene Hubbs: How few apparently knew or remember Stan. Check your brain cells at the door. Shit, he invented the Racing Slick, Raced Bay Area Board Tracks and won many, Built ‘THE HOG’ dual overhead cam panhead record setter 1/4 mile and at Bonneville on the same bike, Sponsored Speedway Riders in the early 70s in NorCal, on and on. His hours were Noon to 5pm … See More Tuesday-Sat. close for supper and open 6-8 pm. Had a nickel coke machine by the door that never cost more than a nickel, used my Hand Built 45ci Flathead in 1969 to design a foot shift soft clutch setup and left the original on my bike as a Thank You, his brain must be wired like mine… we’d invent or rig something on the spot.. like the time in 1977 my Jawa Speedway Bike needed lower-end bearings, he said It’d take months to order from Czechoslovakia. I said ‘Hey, look at these roller bearings from an old H-D wheel, they look the same. Stan took a micrometer to a new one and said ‘SOnofagun, they’re Identical, so i installed and ran those Harley wheel bearings on my crankshaft forever more… probably still in there. I reckon Stan and me are the same breed.. no need for glory or my name on an item, put someone elses on it. Build a bike a sell it, let someone else say they did it all. We both have bikes in Magazines that others claim they built. All’s good. I like low key. You guys try to remember Stan Dishong. Chances are he did you a favor at some point in your life. I Love the guy .
Comment by Gene Hubbs — April 29, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I remember going into Stan’s shop in Vallejo with my dad, Ed Silva, in the early ’60′s. I was only 5 or 6 years old. Stan and my father were good friends…I have some old photos of them together at the races, and in bars, along with his wife Jackie. I was in awe of the all the trophies that literally surrounded the room. I remember my dad telling me that Stan had something like a fourth grade education but was literally an engineering genius and an amazing machinist. And my dad would recongnize brilliance in this field as he too was a machinist.
When I was contacted by Patrick Erm to assist him with some signage and pinstriping at a new motorcylce museum in Port Orford, I couldn’t believe it was for my dad’s old motorcycle pal. What are the chances…it’s such a small world. It is such a shame that the museum was so shortlived and the collection was dispersed. It was a priveledge, if only in a small way, to add a little art to the museum at it’s inception. I feel so fortunate to have seen most of his collection. I know it had to be a sad day for him sell it off…he was obviously very proud of it and rightfully so. I remember him telling me about a cylinder head he paid $10,000 dollars for, possibly for the Marks. It was the only one in existence and was a rough casting. He had to machine it for the valves….and I’m sure there was no instruction manual for doing that. An amazing talent!
Comment by Kurt Silva — May 3, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
I have an 1960 Hot Rod magazine article titled” Big Stroker” that features Stan Dishong and Terry Hines with Stan’s knucklehead drag bike. It was so inovitive that I had to Google his name and wound up here. God speed Stan, you inspire me.
Comment by James — May 20, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
It’d be neat if James or someone else could scan that Hot Rod article and post it up here so we could all see & enjoy it.
Comment by Patrick — May 25, 2010 @ 8:44 am
Patrick,
I just emailed James with that request.
Comment by Electra Glide In Blue — May 25, 2010 @ 10:16 am
[...] This is a follow up from a post back in January about Iron Man Stan Dishong. I received quite a few comments and emails with more history on Stan [...]
Pingback by More of Stan Dishong | Electra Glide In Blue — June 10, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
I’m amazed by how many people have taken the time to look up my Dad on the internet. Several of you have contacted me directly and your comments and concern for my Dad is very humbling. He’s been gone for 2 1/2 years now, but I still hear from people and see new comments. Perry contacted me before he submitted this article to Electra Glide in Blue and let me review it. He did a nice job and everything he wrote is accurate. Reading these articles and the comments goes along way toward keeping my Dad’s spirit alive… thanks for all your interest and dialogue.
Comment by Larry Dishoing — June 13, 2010 @ 12:27 am
I found this site by accident and enjoyed reading about Stan.My dad lives in Port Orford and on a visit i went to Stans museum not even knowing he owned it.I walked in and he looked at me and said ..i know you,you had a real nice Panhead and you used to buy parts from me!I told him yep and i still have that Pan and i still run a clutch setup i bought from you many years ago in Vallejo.He was a great guy.He taught me quite a few tips about old Pans.I was privileged to get taken in the back of his Vallejo shop one year to get to see his parts stash.That was 30 years ago and i still have that 56 Panhead and it still has a set of his clutch plates in it.He will be missed by all that knew him.He was a true legend of the sport.
Comment by Andy Foster — September 8, 2010 @ 9:02 pm
I first met Stan in the early 1980`s.I think he enjoyed my 1959 pan as much as I do.Stan was a great man,god must have needed work on his and wanted the best.He is missed.Ray and pan.
Comment by Ray E. Smith — September 28, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
We will be putting on our 3rd annual memorial run for Stan this year. Last year his son Larry was our guest of honor. Our shop is in Ukiah, Calif. Look for upcoming dates.
Comment by Matthew Monk — February 3, 2011 @ 7:04 pm
I used to bring my friends bent glide tubes to Stan’s shop in Vallejo circa late 60′s to be pressed straight. God he had a fine collection of sweet scooters!
In 1972 I bought a basket 1946 Indian Chief. Stan was another Sammy Pierce when it came to knowledge of these relics. I forget how much coffee I drank just jawing with him about that flathead motor. He even gave me a set of Savana cams for free! I still have 8 mm movies of Stan and his drag bikes from Fremont Dragstrip sometime in the early 70′s. I remember seeing him at the speedway races in Napa and when they had the annual Indian nite Stan gave his approval when I won a tropy for best of show. Thank you Stan for all you did for me and my Indian and the rest of the motor cycle world.
Comment by Dave La Francesca — February 10, 2011 @ 11:26 pm
25+ Years ago, my husband was working in Vallejo, he brought home a bottle of wine from Dishong Vineyards that was given to him by the owner of the vineyard. I was packing to move out of my house and found the bottle, not opened, label still in tact. I can’t ask my husband since he died 5 years ago. Does anyone know if there is any affiliation between Stan and the Vineyard? If so, would the family be interested in getting the wine back? It would mean more to the family than to me. Please comment and I will be notified.
Thank you
Comment by Roxanna — May 16, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Stans son has a facebook page , check it out , Stan Dishong , join Face book and do the search , Contact him in person .
Comment by George A — June 4, 2011 @ 7:47 pm
Dave La Francesca, a lot of folks would love to see the videos from Fremont. Are you still in the Vallejo area? I would pay to have them digitized.
Comment by Perry — June 5, 2011 @ 1:54 am
Wow… I’m still amazed by the number of posts about Dad. I’d love to have copies of the Fremont races and would pay for having them copied to DVD. For anyone on the west coast (or further) we will be honoring Dad at Norcal Knockout bike and car show at the Solano County fairgrounds in Vallejo – on July 2nd. The HOG will be there and so will Dad’s ’38 Scout flat track bike. I’d love to see you all there. You can read more about Dad at http://www.hoglegend.com and you can contact me through the site.
Comment by Larry Dishong — June 6, 2011 @ 1:31 pm
I bought my 1967 Electra Glide on Aug. 1st,1978. 25,000miles, windshield and all bags and railings, original “saddle” and AM radio in the glove box ! $3000 The man I bought it from in Vallejo said if I need anything, info or parts or anything, go see Stan’s.. I did, even if only to stop by on my commute and say hello and admire his collection.. One night a friend and I stopped in and Stan was in the back kick starting his Brough Superior, 1954 ? or something like that ? Dang, He let us come back and watch and within a few kicks he had her going,, But heck, He was a master ! I remember he was working on a piano one night ! He showed me where the last time it was worked on in depth was in the late 1800′s ! One day I stopped by and he was loading up a trailer with parts to go to I think the Cow Palace swap meet. This was after he let others sell parts there ? In talking I asked what he did with his bikes ? He said, “they are right in here ” I had my 35mm camera with me and asked if I could take some pics and he was more than happy to let me.. What a man ! When I work on, ride or even think about my old bike, I always remember Stan and how everything he had worked better than new and thing of beauty ! I still have the pics and would love to share them if it is OK with the family ? Rick C 67Glide@gmail.com
Comment by Rick Curtis — June 22, 2011 @ 7:29 pm
I remember going to Stans shop and listening to him explain how to set the timing on my VL,how to get more hp out of the old flattie,etc.His patience and understanding helped me out when I had a problem that I just couldnt figure out. I loved that man for who he was and what he was all about. I learned so much from him…not only about motorcycles but about life,how to treat others,and respect. I looked up to Stan Dishong and I always will remember his soft spoken ways,his willingness to help me,and his desire to share his knowledge with me.If there was anyone who knew Stan well,that person is Stan Lancaster,whom I would always envy because he was around Stan and in the back of the shop in Vallejo. Hey Stan Lancaster,your words for “Iron Man Stan”
help describe a true legend. I will be at the fairground on the 2nd of June. Hope to see you there. Iron Man Stan lives within all those who had the priveledge of
meeting this great individual. I am saddened by the loss of him on earth.Thank You Stan for everything!! So long.
Comment by tim otero — June 27, 2011 @ 2:06 pm
The guys at Backyard Blueprinters are having the 3rd Annual Stan Dishong Memorial Run September 17th, 2011. The event will take place at their shop, 3258 N State St. Ukiah, Ca. Contact them for information; http://www.backyardblueprinters.com
Comment by Perry — June 27, 2011 @ 8:47 pm
I lived in Vallejo from 1970-71. I was in the Navy and between deployments to Vietnam. My ship (USS Long Beach) was in the yard at Mare Island. During that time, I bought a non-running 1941 HD WLD from a guy in SF. I completely disassembled the bike and built a bobber. Early in the process, somewhat directed me to Stan’s shop. He was a huge help in terms of advice, parts, getting me acquainted with the biker community in Vallejo. As someone else posted, his shop always had old bikes and parts — it was sort of a museum itself. He made my life seem more normal before returning for my last deployment. He was a great guy! RIP Stan!
Comment by Mark Thomas — July 27, 2011 @ 9:15 am
I was re-reading all of the comments about dad again. He would have been very pleased with all of the kind words and loving memories you have of him. Sadly, my sister – who was such a big part helping dad set up and operate the Port Orford musuem – passed away in May. She was tough as nails and was the only person who could go toe-to-toe with dad. Now they are together again… running God’s antique motorcycle museum. Thanks to all of you who remember dad. Please contact me if you have any stories, photos or videos.
In the beginning of July Hog Legend was at the NorCal Knockout bike and car show at the Vallejo fairgrounds. 4 of dad’s bikes were there… the Hog, the 1937 Indian Scout dragster, the 1938 Indian Scout Flat tracker and the 1951 Vincent Black Shadow. It was great to see everyone – even Terry Hines, the original rider of the Hog, was there! It was a lot of fun to see dad’s most important bikes again. Thanks to Chuck Davenport, Jim Troche for providing the ’38 Indian & the Vincent and especially to Louis and Bonnie Fischer for bringing the Hog and Scout dragsters all the way from LA… you guys are the best and dad would have shook your hand and clapped you on the back for doing it. I’m hoping to see even more of dad’s friends and bikes next year.
Thanks. larry@hoglegend.com
Comment by Larry Dishong — July 30, 2011 @ 3:39 pm
Stan will be always remembered by me as an innovator and an teacher. He instructed me as a kid that with a Harley, nothing is impossible. He and Ron Evans helped me build my first bike. Naturally our love started with a Knuckle. With Stan’s imagineering abilities and Ron’s machinist know how coupled with my desires the three of us built one of the quickest low compression, stock bore 74″ Pan head cylinder Knuckle Head scooters in CoCo county. Lot’s of tricks and time went into my bike. I am building a Knuckle Head right now with all of the Stan tricks that will be a quicker but fuel efficient CoCo buster. Oh, This week end @ the “BackYard Blueprinters shop, Ukiah Ca is the Third annual “Stan Memorial Run and Get Together. The run begins at 12 noon, From two locations. American Custom Cycles, 2395 Monument Blvd Bld H, Concord Ca. Also starting at 12 noon at the Chevron Gas Station, Across from 6 Flags Marine World, Vallejo Ca. The run ends up at the BackYard Blurprinters Shop, 3258 North State Street, Ukiah Ca. If you knew Stan you will enjoy a good visit and barbeque, along with music and all with his friends.
Comment by Layco — September 13, 2011 @ 7:36 pm
Thank you ever so for you blog post.Much thanks again. Want more.
Comment by German Addis — February 10, 2012 @ 1:07 pm