Ron Paugh

Paughco: Celebrating 50 Years of Innovation and Tradition in the Harley-Davidson World

For half a century, Paughco has been a cornerstone in the custom and restoration Harley-Davidson market, offering an unmatched array of high-quality products. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global leader in the motorcycle industry, Paughco’s success is rooted in its identity as a true family business.

The story begins in the early 1960s when a young Ron Paugh, like many teenagers, spent his days riding dirt bikes in the San Fernando foothills. But by the time he was in high school, Ron had already taken the first steps toward what would become a legendary career. His first major project? A Knucklehead basket he bought for $75. This venture led him to D&D Cycles, where he struck up a friendship with shop owner Boyd DeFrance. Boyd asked Ron if his father’s tool and die company could reproduce Harley-Davidson inner primary covers, and that request would shape the future of the Paughco brand.

Ron and his father produced 500 inner primaries, setting the stage for what would become a family business. In a stroke of forward-thinking, Ron’s father leased a 1969 Cadillac, insisting that, "We can’t go selling parts with an old pickup truck!” With the Cadillac trunk full of Harley parts, Paughco was on the road to success.

In 1969, Paughco, Inc. shifted its focus entirely to producing custom and replacement parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. With Ron Paugh and his wife, Ruth, at the helm, and their son Ron Jr. leading product design and development, Paughco became a household name among bike builders. The family’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship fueled the company’s rapid growth, and by the late 1970s, Paughco was manufacturing thousands of unique products. The brand had earned a reputation as the number one choice for custom bike builders around the world.

Paughco’s rise wasn’t without personal milestones. In 1987, after the completion of the company’s new world headquarters, Ron’s father, Bob Paugh, took his final ride, passing the torch entirely to Ron and his family.

Today, as Paughco celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company continues to innovate while staying true to its roots. Under the leadership of the Paugh family, the business remains dedicated to producing an ever-expanding line of high-quality, American-made custom and replacement parts for Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. What started with a single product—inner primary covers—has grown into a vast catalog of parts that help fuel the dreams of custom builders and restorers across the globe.

As the Paugh family looks back on 50 years of hard work and passion, they also look forward to continuing their legacy, ensuring that Paughco remains a trusted name in the Harley-Davidson community for generations to come.