Lonnie Isam, Jr

Lonnie Isam Jr.: The Quiet Revolutionary Who Breathed Life into Antique Motorcycles

Lonnie Isam Jr., a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, grew up immersed in the world of motorcycles, working alongside his father, Lonnie Isam Sr., a 2013 Hall of Fame nominee. One of his early experiences came as a motorcycle wrangler on the set of Oliver Stone's film JFK, but his impact on the world of antique motorcycles would extend far beyond Hollywood.

Lonnie Jr. fundamentally changed the way people think about antique motorcycles. Once considered relics destined for museums, these old bikes were given new life thanks to Lonnie’s belief that they belonged on the road, in the wind, just as they were meant to be. This philosophy sparked a global movement within the antique motorcycle community, making him one of the most influential yet unassuming figures in the industry.

In 2010, Lonnie took his passion to the next level by founding the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, a coast-to-coast journey for motorcycles built before 1929. This grueling endurance ride, held every other year, challenged riders and their century-old machines to traverse America’s back roads, proving that these mechanical marvels still had what it takes to conquer the open road. The Cannonball Run quickly became a celebrated event in the motorcycle world, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe and shifting the narrative around antique bikes.

Lonnie also ran his own motorcycle shop, Jurassic Racing, in his hometown of Sturgis, South Dakota, where he was a respected member of the antique motorcycle community. His expertise and love for vintage bikes made him a go-to figure in the field, and his contributions earned him admiration from fellow enthusiasts and riders alike.

Sadly, Lonnie’s life was cut short when he passed away on August 20, 2017, at the age of 48, after a courageous battle with cancer. His passing was a huge loss to his family, friends, and the wider motorcycling community, who continue to honor his legacy by keeping antique motorcycles on the road, just as he would have wanted.

Lonnie Isam Jr.’s quiet dedication to preserving the spirit of old motorcycles has left an enduring mark on the world of motorcycling. Through the Cannonball Run and his tireless work, he reminded the world that antique bikes deserve to be ridden, not just admired, and that they are more than pieces of history — they are machines meant to live and breathe the open road.