R.I.P. Dale Walksler

[G wizz]

Dale Walksler, owner of ' Wheels Through Time Museum' in Maggie Valley N.C. passed away on Feb. 3 after a four year battle with cancer. ... He was 68.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dale while touring his wonderful motorcycle museum, about ten years ago.
Great guy to chat with about those old motorcycles. He knew so much ... He'll be missed by many ....

G

[lqqk_out]

In Memory of Dale Walksler

[kerryb]

He was a special character and will be profoundly missed. May his son continue in his place.
Four of us rode to the museum, he greeted us on the porch to demonstrate starting a Henderson four by pulling on the back wheel to start it on the centerstand. A little later, he approached us in the museum, pulled a restored Crocker v-twin off it's sidestand, kicked it to life, and laid rubber for twenty feet down the museums wooden floor (going quite fast) turned the corner at the far wall and rode equally fast and loud down the next aisle to return to where we were standing in amazement! And then, later, he showed around the workshop where they rebuild the bikes on display. It was a wonderful day and Dale will always be remembered. If you haven't seen wheels through time, I recommend a visit.

[Ironheadziggy76]

He was a great guy, gone way too soon...

[GailForce]

I met him when visiting “Wheels Through Time”. We had a mutual friend that is a motorcycle dealer
back in St. Louis. It was fun seeing him start various bikes to prove they still ran. He’d even ride’em
around the museum. Sure hope the museum continues in his absence.

[mcrider1959]

Ol' Dale was a friend of mine. Back in the early '80s I worked the parts counter for him at the HD shop in Mt. Vernon. I remember the day that Dales' son, Matt was born. Dale was at the shop when he got the call from his wife Lesley, that it was time. So out the door Dale went! A few hours later here comes Dale back to the shop grinning from ear to ear passin' out cigars. He was one proud dad!!!
Dale, is the person that really got me interested in antique/vintage motorcycles. His enthusiasm for those old bikes was vast. I didn't get to see Dale much after he moved his museum operation from Mt. Vernon to Maggie Valley but, when I did he always treated me like a long lost brother. Each time there, he would want to show me his "latest" old motorcycle find. I will miss Dale but, he will live on in all of the videos and publications that featured him and his passion.
This photo was taken in 2012, last time I got the chance to make it down to Maggie Valley to visit with Dale.

[Bluetick]

Been there a few times in Maggie Valley. Anybody remember that giant bike he had out front, must have been six or seven feet tall. Have a picture of the better half sitting on it somewhere.