You feel the loss before you see the sign: a community hub for rides, repair tips, and weekend events has gone quiet, and long-standing connections between riders and staff have been severed. Many longtime customers and employees say the abrupt closure of the San Francisco Harley‑Davidson dealership destroyed a local motorcycle institution and left staff suddenly unemployed.
The post walks through how the shop’s sudden shutdown played out, why employees and patrons felt blindsided, and what this moment reveals about challenges facing Harley‑Davidson and its network of dealerships. Expect firsthand accounts, timeline details, and what the change could mean for the biking community.
The Closure of San Francisco’s Iconic Harley-Davidson Dealership
The dealership’s long history, its role as a community hub, and the sudden way employees were let go are central to why riders and staff reacted so strongly. The account below covers the dealership’s origins, community activities, staff impact, and the abrupt final day.
History of the Dudley Perkins Dealership
Dudley Perkins founded the shop that became San Francisco Harley‑Davidson in 1914. Over generations the Perkins family ran what grew into a landmark motorcycle business associated with Harley‑Davidson culture in the Bay Area. The dealership operated under the Dudley Perkins name for more than a century, maintaining a reputation as a trusted local outlet for Harley parts, service, and apparel.
In 2018 the family ownership ended when the business sold to new owners including Cliff Chester. The franchise’s address at 3146 Mission St. hosted the later years of the operation, though the business moved locations over its lifetime. After the sale, former employees and customers reported growing operational changes that altered daily routines and shop management.
Years of Community and Event Hosting
For decades the dealership served as a gathering point for riders, charity rides, and local motorcycle clubs. It regularly hosted demo days, maintenance clinics, and seasonal promotional events that drew both longtime Harley owners and new riders. These activities helped the shop act as more than a retail space: it was a social hub for the Bay Area motorcycle community…