Penned by reporter Charles Fleming, the story chronicles the life of a man who has tirelessly devoted his life to three things: God, family and the sport of motorcycling.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-tom-white-motorcycle-museum-20170425-htmlstory.html
White got his start in the sport of motorcycling at age 15, and he went on to taste success as a professional flat track racer in the early 1970s, earning AMA National number 80, which recognized him as one of the top 100 flat track motorcycles racers in the United States. For many people, that would be considered a crowning achievement in the sport, but for White it was just a prelude.
In 1975, White and brother Dan began manufacturing hop-up parts for Yamaha TT500 model motorcycles and other models, and White Brothers Cycle Specialties was born. The business grew as the White brothers added even more in-house manufactured parts and ultimately became distributors for numerous major industry brands. Along the way, White displayed his love of motocross by creating events such as the White Brothers Four-Stroke World Championships and the White Brothers Vet MX World Championships. Both events were huge successes. White has also served as a knowledgeable announcer and color commentator for numerous AMA National and FIM World Championship events spanning a variety of disciplines in Southern California.
At the time that White sold the business in 2000, it was recognized as one of the top off-road aftermarket parts suppliers in the world, cataloging more than 30,000 products and grossing about $37 million annually, according to the LA Times report. White could’ve stopped there and just called it a career, but those who know Tom White also knew that wasn’t about to happen.
Spurred on by the untimely motorcycle accident that left his son, Brad, in need of constant medical care for the rest of his life, White found a way to once again combine his love of family and his love of motorcycling by amassing one of the largest collections of vintage off-road motorcycles in the world and creating The Early Years of MX Museum adjacent to his Villa Park, California, home. The place is heaven on earth for motorcycle fans, and White has taken every opportunity to showcase it to the public by opening it up for various fundraising efforts with which he is involved.
His Bikes and Burgers events serve as gatherings of motorcycle aficionados, legends of the sport and industry insiders to enjoy the camraderie of motorcycling in a magnificent setting. In addition to preserving motorcycling’s historic machines, White has also worked hard through his efforts with the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club to recognize and praise the sport’s forgotten legends.
In 2014, White was recognized for his competition and business success as well as his tireless dedication to fundraising through the Early Years of MX Museum when he was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame, taking a rightful place alongside other industry legends, many of whom are his own boyhood heroes. If you were to ask him, he would probably tell you that he doesn’t feel he deserves to be among them, but that’s just Tom White being his usual, humble self. The reality of it is that few people are more deserving of such recognition.
Now Tom White faces the toughest battle of his life, but if you know Tom White, you also know he will continue to push himself to the max, and he will do it with the same smile and happy-go-lucky attitude that he has always shown. If you don’t know him, take it from those of us who do.
As the LA Times story suggests, Tom White’s is a life that has been well-lived, but he ain’t done yet.
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