By Alissa Sandford
Eddie Harrison got his first Harley in 1959. He's owned other motorcycles too, but he is certain that cruising the country by hog is "the only way to go." Apparently Harrison's enthusiasm is infectious. Harrison, who manages food services at the Emett Student Center, and wife Becky, a payroll assistant in Human Resources, are now the proud owners of his and hers Harley Davidsons. His is the hog: a yellow and black Heritage softail, with a custom-painted picture of Daffy Duck busting out of the gas tank. ("I'm a big Daffy Duck fan.") Hers is more 'little piggy' than hog: a maroon sportster that required some customizing to accommodate Becky's short legs. "It's the smallest bike they make, but we still had to use a lowering kit, and they lowered the handlebars because my feet wouldn't touch the ground!" Harrison says, laughing.
"I never, ever dreamed I'd own a Harley," says Becky. "I've always been the quiet one." In fact when Eddie bought his two years ago, it was three months before Becky got on it. And once she did, "I really enjoyed it!" she says. "And then I started thinking, 'Gee. It would be nice to have my own, and not always have to sit on the back.'" As fate would have it (not to mention a few dollars invested in raffle tickets), Becky won her motorcyle in a drawing. Now the pair is seldom home on weekends and belong to the Pomona chapter of Harley riders.
"Most Harley riders today do a lot of charity (rides)," Eddie Harrison says. "It's not like it was in the 1950s." Eddie occasionally drives his hog to work and is always planning their next adventure. Last month they drove to a bike-fest in Las Vegas, and over the summer rode to Kansas City, Kansas for a reunion with some of his Navy buddies. (Long trips require a gas-up every 250 miles.) There have been brushes with celebrities as well. Last year's Love Ride (proceeds go to charity) in Glendale brought out Jay Leno and Peter Fonda, both of whom Eddie calls "nice guys."
One thing is certain: Becky Harrison is hooked on Harleys. "You have to be careful and cautious and all that," she says, "but the freedom of it—just being able to go on the road like that—your senses wake up. It's just incredible."