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 The first home of Harley-Davidson Sales & Service, Inc. of Napoleon, OH was at 1225 North Scott Street. The business was located here from 1962 to May of 1964.
Where It All Began
The History of Harley-Davidson Sales & Service - Since 1962
| In the late 1950s, farming was a way of life for Bill Soals. He worked hard as a farmer and did what he could to support his family, but a heart attack in 1959 radically changed his life. That heart attack would be the beginning of a new era. It molded the life of his then nine-year old daughter, D.J., and the life of a young man not yet known to this farming family. Bill made numerous decisions over the next several years that would set in motion the basis for a business that ultimately became part of a legend.
As Bill recovered from his heart attack, he found work away from the family farm selling used cars. But he had no real interest in pursuing the used car business as a long-term occupation. Prior to serving his country in World War II, Bill had worked with motorcycles for quite a long time. Then while serving in the army, he trained military police to ride motorcycles.
During his three years of selling cars, Bill managed to save $500 to acquire two disassembled motorcycles and open a motorcycle repair shop. But Bill needed support from an existing dealership to start his business. He found this support from Bill and Dorothy White, owners of Harley-Davidson Sales in Defiance, OH. Bill and the Whites were denied a vendor's license because business operations in a residential area were prohibited. Bill looked for support and eventually found it in Bryce O'Daniel, a friend and riding buddy. Bryce offered his mobile home for collateral on a loan that allowed the two men to rent and renovate an old building in a non-residential area of Scott Street in Napoleon, OH for the repair shop. In spring of 1962, Bill Soals and Bryce O'Daniel opened their business at 1225 North Scott Street in Napoleon, OH - a fully authorized sub-dealership named Harley-Davidson Sales & Service. The business operated in this location until May of 1964.
During their first year of business, the dealership initiated and supported a motorcycle club called "Napoleon Throttle Twisters." The new dealership and the excitement of the motorcycle club drew a young man to Napoleon from the Kunkle area (Williams County, OH). In the spring of 1963, this young man purchased his first motorcycle from Bill Soals. This purchase indoctrinated Marv Yagel into the world of Harley-Davidson. Napoleon Throttle Twisters brought together motorcycle enthusiasts as well as Bill's daughter, D.J., and Marv. This was the beginning of their friendship and the foundation of a long life together.
With the growing reputation for their knowledge of motorcycles and their commitment to excellent service, Bill and Bryce found themselves outgrowing the small building on North Scott Street. In spring of 1964, they purchased the old Walker's Fruit Market southeast of Napoleon on U.S. Route 6. This address would be the home of Harley-Davidson Sales & Service for the next 30 years.
During the early years at the new location, D.J. became more involved in the dealership. Although not involved in the day-to-day operations, Marv continued his relationship with D.J. and his friendship with Bill. These years signified the beginning of a journey for Bill, Bryce, D.J., Marv and the business.
While Marv was in Vietnam serving a one-year tour of duty in the war, Bryce O'Daniel decided to leave the dealership after being Bill's partner for five years. In order to buy out Brice's half of the business, Bill looked to Marv for support. In a well-crafted letter, Bill asked Marv for a loan so Bill could buy-out Brice. Upon returning from the service, Marv would have two choices: payment of the borrowed money or half ownership of the dealership. Marv loaned Bill the money and when he returned from Vietnam as Bill's business partner, he became D.J.'s lifelong partner.
The early years of business helped Marv and D.J. understand the seasonal patterns of the motorcycle business. They learned early that the support of good customers was the most important aspect of their business. They also understood that good customer service and fair deals were most important to their customers. With those lessons learned, they established the foundation on which they grew their business.
In 1971, Bill and Dorothy White, the Harley-Davidson dealers in Defiance, OH, who had supported Bill and Marv in their initial dealership endeavors, decided it was time to slow their business efforts. The Whites helped Bill and Marv sign on with Harley-Davidson Motor Company as fully authorized dealers.
The handshake agreement that had signified Marv and Bill's partnership in 1967 changed in 1974. Bill was ready to retire and after an honest and straight-forward career, Bill transferred ownership to Marv. The dealership became the sole responsiblity of Marv and D.J. Unfortunately, Bill never had the opportunity to see the dealership grow after his retirement. On May 9, 1975, William A. Soals (Bill or Pops to his friends) passed away.
Growth in the '70s resulted in several remodeling efforts. Many years of honest determination and hard work culminated in 1976 when Harley-Davidson Motor Company recognized Marv and D.J. with a presentation of the prestigious "Outstanding Dealer Award.. This would be the first of many awards they would receive for their hard work and devotion to their dealership.
In 1981, Harley-Davidson Motor Company returned to private ownership through a buy-back from AMF. The Motor Company celebrated this event with the now famous "Executive Ride" from York, PA, bringing it all back home to Milwaukee. Nine dealerships were selected as stopping points for the Executive Ride and, in June 1981, Harley-Davidson Sales & Service welcomed the executives of Harley-Davidson Motor Company to Napoleon, OH. The crowd of enthusiasts in Napoleon, OH, provided the most rousing welcome for the Harley-Davidson executives during the historic ride.
The early '80s saw the acknowledgement of Harley-Davidson Sales & Service as the oldest, most experienced dealership in the northwest Ohio, southern Michigan and eastern Indiana region. The market position they maintained was based on the honesty, reliability and integrity of the staff at Harley-Davidson Sales & Service.With business growing more demanding, the dealership was outgrowing its location on County Road O (previously State Route 6). Marv and D.J. began to search for a completely new location and found one at 600 Bonaparte Drive in Napoleon, Ohio. The grand opening for this location of Harley-Davidson Sales & Service occurred in July of 1994.
As the popularity of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles has grown over the years, the popularity of Harley-Davidson Sales & Service has grown as well. So much so that the building on Bonaparte Drive was no longer large enough to support the amount of business that flowed through the doors. Marv and D.J. once again began plans for a new building that would meet the demands of an ever-growing industry. After 9 years of doing business at the Bonaparte Drive location, Marv and D.J. packed up and moved to their latest dealership location. This new location can be found on American Road at the intersection of State Route 24 and Industrial Drive. They opened their doors for business on April 21, 2003. Marv and D.J. have come a long way from $500 and two basket cases!
Always focusing on better service, the dealership now boasts a staff of 25, including a Service Manager, Sales Manager, Parts Manager and a phenomenal group of individuals who share the same pride, passion and commitment as their employers. Through it all, the foundation that started Harley-Davidson Sales & Service remains: to service customers with honesty, responsibility, and above all else provide excellent service. To this foundation, loyal customers from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana can return, year after year, knowing they will find not only the oldest dealership in the area, but also a group of people who will give their best service to all who walk through the doors.
Marv & DJ on Marv's new Sportster in 1965.  |
| Thank you for being a part of our history! |
 Bill "Pops" Soals when he was on leave from the Army visiting his girlfriend and future wife in Thompson, Georgia. |
 Marv rebuilding a set of heads on an early Panhead in 1968. |
 June, 1981. Pictured left to right, Willie G. Davidson, Vaughn Beals, Charlie Thompson, Mike, Elizabeth and Marv Yagel during the gas tank presentation at the now famous Eagle Soars Alone Executive Ride at the County Road 0 shop in Napoleon. |
 At the County Road O shop in Napoleon. Marv pictured with Jon Severson, our district manager, receiving an Outstanding Dealer award. |
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Harley-Davidson Sales & Service
862 American Road Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: 419-592-7123
Fax: 419-592-7124
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|  Harley-Davidson Sales & Service has been an authorized Lehman Trike dealer since 1997.
We are the area leader in trike conversions
We're proud to be a part of the 2nd Annual Keith Dressel Memorial Ride.
Please click here for registration information. 
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