Armando Magri

April 14, 1914, to April 21, 2001. Described by author David Wright as 'the patriarch of Harley-Davidson dealers', he came from Chico, California where, as teens, he and his brother Ernie were taught to ride a 1926 Harley sport twin by a 19 year old girl named Jeanne Boutin. Armando ended up riding, racing, selling and restoring Harleys for the next 72 years.

In 1936 He moved to Sacramento, eventually securing a job with Frank Murray's Harley-Davidson dealership, while also racing for Murray throughout Northern California. As a Class C racer he matched skills with the area's best, like Ed Kretz, Jack Cottrell, Sam Arena, Ray Eddy, and his old friend from Chico, Mario Stillo. Magri never had the best equipment, but he was a rugged competitor and consistent top finisher. His most unlikely finish was 3rd place at the 1938 AMA National Miniature TT in Marion, Indiana. After winning his heat on the bike he rode to Marion, Magri started the main event in neutral, then rode with abandon in a nine minute race to catch the entire pack and actually challenge for 2nd. Walter Davidson saw Armando's performance that day, and it started a lifelong friendship between the two. Magri's biggest win was the 1941 AMA Pacific Coast Championship in Hollister, California.

In 1939 Armando married Ludella (Lu) Tritten, who quickly became a willing partner in the racer's life. After a stint in the US Army during WWII, Magri briefly returned to racing, taking 4th at the 1948 Riverside National. But at the request of his pregnant wife, he hung up the skid shoe for good. In 1950 he and Lu purchased the Sacramento Harley dealership from his old boss Murray. They built the new dealership around Lu's business acumen and Armando's ability to mix with all levels of riders (from the Harley and Davidson families to Hells Angels). In 1973 Armando and Lu moved into a beautiful new store and the dealership grew. Despite the chance to take on Japanese and British franchises, Magri stayed loyal to Harley-Davidson. The couple retired in 1983, leaving a large, healthy dealership behind.

In his retirement years Armando wrote his autobiography "Then and Now" and restored antique Harleys, including a 1936 EL, a 1950 panhead sidecar, a replica of his old WLDR racing machine, and a 1926 sport twin, the same model he learned to ride on. Later he and Lu donated that sport twin to the Harley factory museum in Milwaukee.

Magri's exploits as the ultimate Harley enthusiast have been the subject of many books on the brand. His restored motorcycles appear in dozens of publications, as does the HD memorabilia collection he and Lu amassed. After his death a My Space tribute site was created for him by his son Ken. It contains excerpts from "Then and Now" and more than 500 photographs from the Magri family collection.