Words: Kelsey Jackson
Photos: Kazuo Matsumoto
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, thirty-three brave men and women set out from Nags Head, North Carolina, on an epic 4,000-mile journey across the United States. Their mission was to complete the inaugural TransAmerican Motorcycle Endurance Run, a cross-country test of stamina, skill, and spirit aboard antique motorcycles a century old, or older.
The Motorcycle TransAm will now become a bi-annual event, uniting riders from around the world who share a passion for preserving and riding early motorcycling history. Each night, the group arrived in a new city and was welcomed with open arms by local communities eager to see these century-old machines in motion. The daily mileage ranged from 154 to 360 miles. That longest day, 360 miles, proved to be a tough one, but everyone pressed on. One team even rolled into Burns, Oregon, with only three minutes to spare before time expired.
The field represented a wide range of machines, marques, and personalities. Team Butts, composed mostly of Harley-Davidsons with one Henderson in the mix, brought grit and camaraderie in equal measure. The Wolfpack turned heads as a lineup of four-cylinder powerhouses, from Hendersons to Aces, their distinctive hum a constant on the road. Smaller two- and three-person teams rounded out the lineup, proving that determination often outweighs numbers.
Among the most remarkable riders was Kat “Diamond” Kiyonaga, who piloted the oldest motorcycle on the run, a 1910 Thor with a top speed around 35 miles per hour. Riding solo at times and alongside her husband, Kiyo, on his 1919 Excelsior twin, Kat demonstrated the patience and perseverance these early machines demand. Her Thor’s impressive fuel range of nearly 200 miles meant long, steady days, sometimes twelve hours in the saddle with only two or three stops.
The run also featured an international entry, the Old Brothers Italian Team, made up of Samuele Reali, Luca Geron, Davide Aresi, and Floriano. Traveling from Italy with a 1924 Indian and a 1925 Harley-Davidson JD, they had to prepare their motorcycles months in advance to allow for shipping to the United States. Their approach to the event reflected true Italian spirit, steady miles, frequent smiles, and a deep appreciation for every landscape along the way.
The route itself was a living museum, winding through some of the country’s most iconic motorcycle destinations. Riders visited Wheels Through Time, Columbia Motor Alley, The Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum, Legends Motorcycle Museum, and the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Each stop offered a reminder of how deeply motorcycles are woven into the fabric of American history.
By the time the dust settled, fourteen riders had completed every mile of the route. Many others overcame breakdowns, late nights, and long hours of roadside repairs to reach the finish line. In first place was Mike Butts riding a 1913 Henderson, followed by Frank Westfall on a 1914 Henderson, and Erik Bahl on a 1915 Harley-Davidson 11F.
Special awards honored those who embodied the heart of the TransAm. The True Grit Award went to Kat and Kiyo Kiyonaga and to Bart Grelinger, each of whom faced major challenges yet refused to quit. The Spirit of the TransAm Award was presented to Bill Page, who overcame an astonishing list of mechanical setbacks including a smoked clutch, broken spokes, failed ignition components, and a cracked rocker tower, among others. Through it all, he stayed determined and smiling.
The weather, for the most part, was kind to the riders, with only a few days of rain. Some of the toughest stretches included the climb up Wolf Creek Pass in sleet and 39-degree temperatures, fierce winds across Kansas and Colorado, and stretches of blistering 95-degree heat. Through it all, the riders’ morale stayed high. The TransAm spirit seemed to grow stronger with every mile.
The Motorcycle TransAm is not for the faint of heart. It is as much a test of endurance as it is a celebration of community and craftsmanship. Riders flew in parts at midnight, worked through the early hours to make the 7 a.m. start, and shared tools, knowledge, and rare components without hesitation.
In the end, the TransAm was never just about the miles. It was about heart. It was about people coming together for a shared love of history, mechanics, and the open road. What began as a cross-country endurance run became a story of perseverance, camaraderie, and the enduring magic of antique motorcycles.
an article by Kelsey Jackson for The Girder Club
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