A circle of friends connected by goo touch! The “FIST BUMP” corner of the radio program “GRAND MARQUEE” features people who live and enjoy Tokyo in a relay format.
On December 7th, Minoru Uemura, the editor-in-chief of “HARD BOP!! MAGAZINE”, will appear, introduced by Retro Pop Girl Lisa.We asked him about how he got hooked on Harleys, their appeal, and why he started the magazine.
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Riding a 90-year-old Harley for 30 years
Celeina (MC): Mr. Uemura was the third editor-in-chief of the Harley-Davidson magazine “VIBES MAGAZINE” before launching the rock magazine “HARD BOP!! MAGAZINE”. What kind of content is included in “HARD BOP!! MAGAZINE”?
Uemura: Mainly photos and interviews.
Celeina: I’m looking at the magazine right now, and it looks like it’s all about rock.
Uemura:The theme of the magazine is “RIDE, SHOUT, ROCK&ROLL” next to the title.
Celeina: This “RIDE” is, of course, from Harley?
Uemura: Yes, it is. I was brought up by “VIBES MAGAZINE,” a motorcycle magazine, so it is an extension of that.
Takano (MC): What kind of magazine was the original “VIBES MAGAZINE”?
Uemura: It will be a lifestyle magazine that introduces bikers who are Harley riders, what kind of life they lead, what kind of work they do, what their family and hobbies are like, and what kind of custom Harley they ride.
Celeina: I see. It is a magazine for bikers, made by bikers.
Uemura: Exactly.
Celeina: Of course I had seen Harleys before, but I didn’t know anything about them, so I had never even approached one. I’m interested in them because they look so cool when I see them.
Uemura: Now that you mention it, let’s go get your driver’s license tomorrow and buy one right away (haha).
Celeina: When did you first become interested in Harleys, Mr. Uemura?
Uemura: When I moved to Tokyo to find a job, I felt that the traffic jams were so bad that I could not foresee when I would arrive at my destination. I didn’t want to be dependent on the last train, so I decided to use a bicycle or a motorcycle rather than a train. As for bikes, I thought Harleys were still cool, so I became interested in them.
Celeina: You didn’t go for the sports type, but went for a Harley right away?
Uemura: It was Harley right away.
Takano: How many Harleys have you ridden so far?
Uemura: Only two.
Takano: What is the one you are riding now?
Uemura: I have been riding a Harley for almost 30 years, which was built in 1937, about 90 years ago. It is normal for a Harley to run for a long time, and it is a very good boy. That is one of the reasons why I recommend Harleys.
Takano: I have an image that they are hard to take care of.
Uemura: To some extent, I do it myself, but it’s not too difficult. The store is well organized, so after-sales care is also very good.
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Traveling with Harleys in America and Europe
Takano: So you leave it to them? It’s fascinating that one Harley can be a partner that stays with you for your whole life, isn’t it? By the way, Mr. Uemura, we heard that you also ride Harleys overseas.
Uemura: In August, there is an event in a town called Sturgis in South Dakoda, USA, where bikers from all over the world gather. We are immersed in motorcycles from morning to night for a week, so it is a great opportunity for Harley lovers.
Celeina: When you go abroad, do you transport your own Harley to ride?
Uemura: A friend of mine keeps it for me, so I borrow it. In the U.S., I ride from Kentucky to South Dakoda, which takes about a week.
Celeina: So you own your own Harley in the U.S. as well?
Uemura: It is company-owned.
Celeina:That’s amazing. I heard that you traveled not only in the U.S. but also in Europe on your Harley.
Uemura:I became good friends with a German guy through our interviews, and he lends me his Harley. This is something that doesn’t happen very often, so we continue to do this every year.
Takano: Where do you travel in Europe?
Uemura: We start in Germany, where our base is located, and go as far as we can. We have also been to Russia, Greece, and Spain, and we have traveled quite a distance.
Takano: Do you have any memorable trips?
Uemura: There are many, but I strongly remember going to Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and St. Petersburg in Russia when we drove through Eastern Europe. It was a great trip because the people were so kind and caring. Then the Russian invasion started, which was a shock.
Celeina: You actually went there and interacted with the local people.