Introduction
Since the chapter's beginning in 1990, the DFW Texas USA Chapter has been active in everything HOG. We keep a busy rear-round riding schedule, with many overnight rides throughout the year to some of the most beautiful and scenic spots in Texas. We also sponsor charitable rides and activities through the year in support of the local communities. See the LOH page for more information on the charitable events.
Today, the DFW Texas Chapter has grown to over 250 active members. We are committed to safety first, which ensures that everybody has a good time on the rides. See the Safety page for more safe riding information.
If you are a current or past member with an interesting anecdote you'd like to share about the history of this chapter, please email it to the Chapter Historian I'd love to share your story with the rest of the chapter and all who surf our web site. Thanks...
Chapter History
Don Smith purchased the Arlington Texas Harley-Davidson dealership in 1988. In January of 1990, Don moved the dealership to its present location in Bedford and the shop-sponsored Harley Owners Group took on its new chapter name, the DFW Texas Chapter.
The Chapter is a perpetual, not-for-profit State of Texas Corporation. The chapter, named Bedford Chapter, Inc. was incorporated on February 27, 1997. The chapter operated several years before incorporating. Our fiscal year coincides with the calendar year and we use the cash accounting method. The chapter is not tax exempt at either the state or federal level. Federal Income taxes and State Franchise taxes are filed and paid annually by the Treasurer. The chapter typically owes no taxes when the returns are filed.
The following paragraphs concerning purpose and membership are excerpted from the Articles of Incorporation:
Purpose: To engage in and promote responsible motorcycling activities for Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members by conducting chapter activities and encouraging participation in other H.O.G. events and other charitable activities. Chapter activities and operations shall be conducted in a manner consistent with a family oriented non-political philosophy.
Membership:Chapter membership is open to any person that provides proof of his or her current national H.O.G. membership. An expired National H.O.G. membership automatically terminates the Bedford Chapter membership and any associated memberships.
February 27, 1997: Chapter became a State of Texas Corporation.
1997: HOG hired one of our former chapter directors, Valerie Ledterman, as H.O.G. regional manager responsible for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida.
June, 1998: The 95th Anniversary Ride Home that started in Mexico City, Mexico stopped overnight in Fort Worth with a send off breakfast from Texas Motor Speedway. Texas Harley-Davidson hosted a party for the riders.
September, 2000: The HOG Sea to Shining Sea ride stopped over in Fort Worth with a party for all HOG members at Billy Bob's.
2001: The Chapter hosted the Texas State HOG Rally in Fort Worth with Mary Ann Smith as the Rally Coordinator.
October 2002: Harley-Davidson held a 100th anniversary party at Texas Motor Speedway . Entertainment included the Doobie Brothers, Aerosmith and many others. Texas Harley-Davidson (our chapter sponsor) and Fort Worth Harley-Davidson were hosts to Peter Fonda during the 100th weekend. He provided personal appearances at both dealerships.
2010: Adam Smith purchased Texas Harley-Davidson.
January 1st, 2011: The dealership opened the doors as Adam Smith’s Texas Harley-Davidson. Adam promptly remodeled the building to include new sales offices, computers, dressing rooms, a lounge area for guests and HOG members with couches and hi def TV’s, and a whole new attitude towards the customers, employees, and the HOG chapter.
November 2011: Adam Smith’s Texas Harley-Davidson began covering the cost of membership for all DFW Texas USA Chapter members.
Officer History
Texas State HOG Rally Sites
Note: H.O.G. no longer conducts annual state rallies. For information on current H.O.G. events, login to Harley-Davidson and click the "HOG Member Events link in the "Owners" section.
The annual Texas State HOG Rallies were conducted by a Texas HOG Chapter. Chapters interested in conducting a rally would bid on the rally at the annual corporation meeting by making a presentation to the chapter representatives attending the meeting. Following the presentations, a vote was taken and the winner conducted the rally for the next year.
| Year | Rally Site |
| 1991 | Waco |
| 1992 | Plano |
| 1993 | Amarillo |
| 1994 | South Padre |
| 1995 | Austin |
| 1996 | Austin |
| 1997 | Corpus Christi |
| 1998 | Waco |
| 1999 | Amarillo |
| 2000 | Houston |
| 2001 | Fort Worth |
| 2002 | Beaumont |
| 2003 | Tyler |
| 2004 | Conroe |
| 2005 | Corpus Christi |
| 2006 | Abilene |
| 2007 | Amarillo |
| 2008 | New Braunfels |
| 2009 | San Marcos |
| 2010 | Wichita Falls |
| 2011 | Beaumont |
| 2012 | Fort Worth |
| 2013 | San Antonio |
| 2014 | Abilene |
| 2015 | Tyler |
| 2016 | Denison/Sherman |
| 2017 | Belton |
Harley History
- 1900's - 1910's
- 1920's - 1930's
- 1940's - 1950's
- 1960's
- 1970's
- 1980's
- 1990's - today
Harley History is a collection of articles about Hartley-Davidson from it's inception to today.