Fred Zimmerman

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A dealer in Rochester in the 1920s, Fred Zimmerman enjoyed the distinction of selling new Indians under the 'Rochester Harley-Davidson' name. Fred obtained a Harley-Davidson franchise for the area in 1922, despite being a Jew. (The Founders were basically anti-Semitic and had a policy of excluding Jews from any part of the business.) Zimmerman's new dealership did well, particularly with the advent of the fast Two Cam Harleys. It was said that he used to modify Two Cams used by the booze runners in those Prohibition days as well as those used by the state police to chase them! The story goes that a business rival informed Harley-Davidson of Fred Zimmerman's ethnic background and factory support for his dealership was gradually withdrawn. In the end, Zimmerman cancelled his franchise and took one with Indian instead, but kept the name 'Rochester Harley-Davidson'. His right to do so was upheld in court.