-Story by Larry Surratt & Mark Carlisle
4/10/10
This story starts in the small mountain community of Badger. I had stopped at the Sister's Mountain House Restaurant & Saloon and having downed a monumental experience of a lunch called the Mountain Burger, I was chatting with managers Michelle and Jade, when two men walked in and sat down at the bar. "Hey Maurice, hey Jack," Michelle greeted the men, "What'll it be?" They ordered their drinks, and as she filled their order, she began chatting with her two customers, "What brings you guys up the hill?," she asked. "We're on our way to Cary's place to pick up a bike that Maurice is buying," responded one of the men (apparently the Jack portion of the duo). Suddenly, Michelle and Jade's eyes grew wide and they nearly simultaneously exclaimed... "You've GOT to meet this guy!"
They told me about a gentleman named Cary Stanley, a "vintage motorcycle hobbyist." They explained he was one of the largest vintage motorcycle collectors in the U.S. "He's got a building the size of a football field that's full of classic bikes! He's even got them on the wall!," gushed Jack. Maurice proceeded to tell me they were en route, pulling a trailer to haul back a vintage Triumph Bonneville he had purchased. Then, with eyes gleaming like a young man about to wed, he showed a photograph of the treasure that would be spending that honeymoon night in his garage. I asked Maurice to pass one of my cards along to this mysterious motorcycle collector of the mountains. I had heard enough. The sisters were right
... I HAD to meet this guy!
Before heading back into the valley, Jack gave me the web address. So, upon arriving home that evening, I viewed Cary's website, www.diamondcsmotorcycles.com, and my interest piqued even more! I had to get a hold of my good friend, Mark Carlisle, to share the discovery. From early on, Mark's heart has belonged to the true cafe'-style motorcycle. We're talking alloy tanks, bump seats, and clubman bars. However, his ownership has been almost entirely Italian bikes. He's straddled Ducatis when they were bevel, not belt-driven. He's had rubber-drive models as well - a Ducati 900SS purchased new and primarily ridden in North Carolina. He's owned three Moto Guzzis. Even an exotic Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport and a '99 Laverda 750 full-fairing Sport. He's owned and ridden countless miles in the Sierras on some of the best of the Japanese bikes, including Kawasaki Concourse and a Yamaha Bandit. So, knowing his level of passion for motorcycles, particularly the European variety, I knew he would be as fascinated as I was.
Almost impulsively, we looked up the phone number, made the call and spoke to Mr. Stanley. He kindly arranged to meet us and chat over breakfast. The next morning, it was hard to pay attention to the stack of pancakes as Cary began to tell us the fascinating story of his life and his incredible hobby.
Cary Stanley was born and raised in Tulare, California to parents who, like so many others at the time, had escaped the ravages of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in the southern U.S. and came to California in the hope of building a new life and found work in fields and vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley. Having gone through extremely tough times that were common of the era, the values and work ethic ingrained by his parents with their experiences in life have served as a solid foundation throughout Cary's life. In fact, his story can largely be defined by sage advice his father offered to him as a young man. He said "You can stand ankle-deep near the banks. But if you want to get anywhere in life, you'd better jump in feet first and swim like hell!," Cary recalled.
His love affair with motorcycles began at an early age. He bought his first bike, a Mustang Pony, for $75, when he was 14 years old. "Still have the leather jacket," Cary says fondly. "A little later, I bought a BSA Spitfire and rode that for several years."
After graduating high school, Cary married Connie, his sweetheart and bride of 45 years. They started their first business that year, opening an Union 76 gas station with one repair bay. Realizing the more successful that the business became, the more the lease would be increased, so they bought their own property and opened a larger 2 bay station. In time, they would open a gas station, complete with an eight bay shop and convenience store with, what Cary says was a first, a full-service deli. Recalling a favorite from his earlier years of picking fruit and working in the fields, Cary was the first to begin offering breakfast burritos, which became a huge hit with his customers. He attributes much of their businesses success to the support of field laborers that he worked with when he was younger. Cary said one time, a local businessman whom he had gone to school with, paid a huge compliment when he arranged to send his chefs to learn the deli's recipe of the customer favorite. The owner of the restaurant's name was Fred Ruiz, whom would become a nationally recognized businessman and build Ruiz Foods, located in Dinuba into the largest producer of frozen Mexican cuisine in the nation.
By the time he was 39 years old, Cary had opened two more stores. At that point, his son took over operating the family business. Cary began pursuing other investments, becoming successful in commercial real estate development and acquiring business interests and properties in several states. And, twenty five years later, the man continues to fire on all cylinders, showing no signs of slowing down.
Throughout his life, however, Cary had another dream. He wanted to have a place where his kids and grandkids could come and enjoy both the serenity and exhilaration of mountain living. That's when he acquired and developed Ranchos Los Ninos, a self-described private mountain preserve located on Highway 245 between Badger and Pinehurst, where family and friends are welcome to ride motorcycles on off-road trails; go hunting, fishing, hiking, bicycling, etc.
But along the way, Cary has steadily acquired the motorcycles he dreamed of as a teenager. His collection is one of the largest private collections in the nation. He jokes that, if anything, his motorcycles are guilty of being "over restored." In the prolific process of accumulating this massive collection, Cary has collaborated with local experts Don Harrell of Visalia and Micky Peters of Bakersfield. He also has ties to a virtual "who's-who" of national and international vintage motorcycle luminaries, including Baxter Cycles of St. Louis, as well as Jim Hiddleston and Martin Schalwyk of the Netherlands. At that point, Cary, being pressed for time, had to leave, but not before inviting us to come to his mountain ranch to continue our visit and view his collection.
The following week, as we ascended Bear Mountain, I could see why both sport bikers and cruisers alike rate these roads as some of the best for, as Mark likes phrase it, "tearin' up the twisties!" And, to top it off, on more incredible twist. A world-class motorcycle collection, right here in the central Sierras!
Upon arriving at our destination, we entered the mammoth building and were promptly greeted by the ever-vigilant Butchie and Bonnie, who take their on-site security jobs very seriously. As Cary was wrapping up negotiations with an international bidder, we were given a tour of the facility by his knowledgeable assistant and expert automotive restoration specialist Mike Roberts. When we stepped into the cavernous main room and first laid our eyes on the collection, I couldn't help but notice the expression on Mark's face. His eyes were rounded and his jaw dropped. He had a huge, gaping smile, like a little boy seeing a brand-new Schwinn Sting-Ray on Christmas morning! Then I realized...I was wearing the exact same expression! Without the benefit of a classic Rod Serling narrative...we had somehow crossed over into motorcycle heaven!
There before us sat, handlebar to handlebar, vintage and classic motorcycles by the scores. There were classic Triumph Bonnevilles and 50's - 60's era bathtubs; Norton Commandos; a stunning array of BSA Gold Stars, Lightnings, and Road Rockets. True to his love of love of classic BSAs, Carey's collection included an impressive trio: 1959, 1960, and 1961 Spitfires,
Once we caught our breath, we took a gander through the BMW and Honda sections, which included not one, but two (We mentally nicknamed them "The Twins"), extremely stunning BMW R90 S's, both in almost impossible to find burnt orange paint trim. There was the cleanest Honda CBX we had ever seen. Not to mention another sweetheart, a rare black and gold GB500 with an even rarer factory quarter fairing. Just for the record, this collection pays due homage to the American-built classics as well. Represented were several various models of Harley-Davidsons. full-dress, custom, and stock, as well as a stunning vintage 1951 Indian Brave that has been meticulously restored.
As our surreal tour continued, we stumbled upon, and I was caught gazing (guilty as charged) at a 1974 250cc Honda Ellsinore - just like one I had rode alongside my friends on ditch banks and through dry reservoirs as a teenager. I have to admit, I could still smell the Bardohl!
Up on the lofts, built to display the ultra-rare pieces of Mr. Stanley's collection, one could eyeball Triumphs; Nortons; Indians; an Ariel Square Four; gray-framed BMW's; Mustangs; Cushmans; a pristine Velocette; and an exquisite British-built Royal Enfield. We were shown a 1965 Ducati 250 Dianna MKIII that was out of the crate with only 11 miles on it. It was formerly owned by the famed Peterson Museum. Some of the bikes in this astonishing collection have never had fluids introduced to them, with zero miles showing on the odometers.
We climb the stairs to Cary's office atop the loft. As we enter his office, our eyes are instantly drawn to the trophy of Cary's collection - a 1937 Scott Flying Squirrel that sits regally in the center of the room., with a black finish and gold pin-striping that would make the Queen Mum proud. A motorcycle that is extremely rare and historically significant because of it's forward thinking in motorcycle design and engineering. Very few exist today. We notice several certificates and letters of appreciation from BSA, Triumph, and various other vintage motorcycle clubs that have visited his incredible collection. The office is adjoined by a balcony, offering a spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada in all it's glory. As Mark commented, "Better than any glass box I've been in!" The recreation room is located on the other half of the loft. The walls are adorned with paintings of photographs showing memories of precious moments of his life with his wife and children. Music equipment, guitars, and posters mounted on the wall promoting his local Tulare band, The Satellites, from the 1960's, reveal another source of enjoyment for Cary...the man loves his music!
When we asked him what his secret was, Cary responds without hesitating, "It's my wife, Connie...I couldn't have done it without her. She's my bookkeeper, she just does it all. She never stops, never complains, and never says no. Whatever help I may need, she's right on it. We used to race sand dragsters with her and my sons as my pit crew. She could change the oil, the spark plug, whatever. She could drive it about as well as I could." She loves to ride motorcycles as well. They had her Heritage custom-lowered to accommodate her petite stature. Cary says, though not complaining, "But every time she sees me bring in another bike, have to get one for her too!"
So much more than vintage bike enthusiast, Cary Stanley has deep roots in the central valley. He has a well-known keen eye for the virtually unobtainable; the industry-changing bikes; the ones that got away when we were younger...and have dreamt of ever since. All we could do was marvel at the incredible facility he has put together. Right in the middle of some the best motorcycle roads in the world, lies Diamond CS Motorcycles. Population: Hundreds of mouth-watering motorcycles. Our hats off to you Cary! Enjoy every mile!
PHOTO GALLERY
