Today in motorcycle history, July 1, 1958

 

 

  The Bates Manufacturing Company is incorporated on July 1, 1958.

 

  When you think of choppers you think Bates headlight.  Single, large, small, square, rectangular, teardrop, over and under.  On that springer has gotta be a Bates. 

 

  Robert Owens Bates started Bates Motor Scooter Service in 1939 in Los Angeles, California.   In October of 1948, he printed his first complete catalog: 14 pages of accessories for Wizard Bikes, Harley-Davidson, Indian and English motorcycles, Cushman, Salsbury and Moto Scoot scooters.  The catalog also displayed Bates’ own headlight,  motorcycle saddle, pillion seats, luggage racks, saddle covers and apparel.  When the company name was changed to Bates Manufacturing Company in 1958 Robert Bates, Jr., who worked in the business as a saddlemaker and leathercutter, was named vice president and helped them become pioneers in the aftermarket industry that helped foster the motorcycling community’s affection for customization.

 

  Robert Bates, Sr. also provided volunteer first aid and ambulance service for local races when none previously existed.  He took a first-aid course, bought an old Ford station wagon, had it painted bright red, and purchased a stretcher at a war surplus store. 

 

Robert Owens Bates, Sr. was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in 2009.