J&P Cycles sets dates for two-day open house

Memories of January's freezing temperatures likely will be far from the minds of motorcyclists attending this year's J&P Cycles open house in June.

The company expects the event, June 26 and 27, to draw more than the 22,000 people who attended its 30th anniversary celebration in late June. Motorcycles will be parked on virtually every available square foot of grass and concrete surrounding J&P Cycles' corporate headquarters off Highway 151 near Anamosa.

The annual open house started out as a small customer appreciation day held by owners John and Jill Parham to thank customers for their business throughout the year. It has grown to become one of the largest two-day events in the Midwest.

Entertainment this year will include Circus Una, a high-flying act featuring two women - a dancer and a rider - performing on a motorcycle balanced on a thin wire.

The two-day event also will feature ride-in bike shows, a motorcycle rodeo, silent auction and activities for children. Manufacturers of will showcase their latest motorcycle-related products.

J&P Cycles, which has become the largest aftermarket retailer of parts and accessories for Harley-Davidson, V-Twin Metric Cruiser and Sport Bikes, will offer many products at 10 percent off regular prices. A section of the company's warehouse will feature clearance items at up to a 50 percent discount.

The J&P Cycles open house draws cyclists from across the country and other countries. The company's online catalog of motorcycle parts and accessories garners sales from as far away as Europe, Japan and the Middle East.

Those attending this year's J&P Cycles open house will be able to visit an expanded National Motorcycle Museum just down the highway.

The museum plans to move from a 16,000-square-foot space at 200 E. Main St. to a 36,000-square-foot space at 102 Chamber Drive. The new location will have enough space for revolving exhibits and interactive exhibits in addition to the present collection of 240 to 250 motorcycles,

John Parham, founder of J&P Cycles and president of the National Motorcycle Museum board of directors, said the museum wants to involve more motorcycle collectors in telling the stories of American motorcycling.

Dave DeWitte of The Gazette contributed to this story.