Uke's Harley-Davidson® History

Uke's Harley-Davidson® has a long rich history. It began in 1930 during the Depression when Frank (Uke) Ulicki, at age 22, bought Hargty's Harley-Davidson® in Kenosha, Wisconsin for $250.00. His first 500 sq. ft. dealership was in a strip mall on the corner of 56th Street and 22nd Avenue in Kenosha. On Uke's first day in business, April 1, 1930, he sold one bolt for 4 cents.

In 1935, Uke met Marie Kudrick. They fell in love and in 1939 eloped on his Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. Uke and Marie had three children: Frank, Lynne and Keith. Neither Uke nor Marie ever owned a car, so their kids were brought home from the hospital in the sidecar of a Harley. Their son Keith grew up working in the dealership and raced flat track professionally for 15 years sponsored by the Harley-Davidson® Motor Company.

Keith and Nanc purchased the dealership from Uke in 1989. They immediately changed the name from Kenosha Harley-Davidson® to Uke's Harley- Davidson® in honor of Keith's father. Frank (Uke) Ulicki (1907 - 2000) worked in the dealership every day until he was 92 years old.In 1939, the dealership moved down the street to 5719-22nd Avenue where the Ulicki family lived above the dealership. In 1943, Uke enlisted in the army and was sent to fight in Europe during WWII. Marie ran the dealership in his absence. In 1960, a fire at the dealership forced the Ulickis to relocate once again to 5403- 52nd Street into a 5,400 sq. ft. building.

The Ulicki family has had a true love affair with Harley-Davidson®. Uke's brother, CD, owned the Waukegan, Illinois Harley-Davidson® Dealership from 1933-1963. Another brother, Peter Ulicki, worked at Harley-Davidson® Motor Company in the R&D department. Keith's brother, Frank Ulicki II, worked at the Motor Company in Engineering. His cousin, Dave Ulicki, worked for the Buell Company. His niece, Liz Ulicki Lubner, is currently at the Motor Company in the Engineering department. Keith always jokes that there were more Ulickis at Harley-Davidson® than Davidsons.


In the winter of 1971, Keith attended college where he met Nanc Redding. Keith taught Nanc how to ride a Harley-Davidson® their first year together. Keith and Nanc were married in 1973. They traveled the country going to races four days a week. Keith was his own mechanic and Nanc drove the van and helped in the pits. Keith and Nanc had two children, Brenda, and Karen. The girls also traveled the racing circuit with Mom and Dad and learned to ride a modified 90cc Harley-Davidson® in the pits at an early age. When Keith retired from racing, he started working full-time at the dealership. Nanc went on to graduate from UW Milwaukee's School of Architecture. She was contracted by the US government to build military recruiting centers throughout the country. She did that for 10 years before Keith asked her to join him in running the dealership. Nanc's background in architecture was instrumental in constructing two additions to the building on 52nd Street making it 18,000 sq. ft

   Keith and Nanc arrived at work one day to see that the entire parking lot was filled with employee cars. They realized they had once again outgrown   their location. This led them to look for a new home for their dealership. They found and purchased a 10-acre site on I-94 in 1999. It remains the home of Uke's Harley-Davidson® today.

  In 2003, Keith and Nanc finished construction of their beautiful 60,000 sq. ft. dealership. It includes a now iconic 70 ft. tower which Nanc calls the "jewelry case". The tower displays ten Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Inside the dealership, the second-floor mezzanine features a 3,000 sq. ft. museum displaying items from the Uke's unique and colorful 93-year history. There are seventeen bikes as well as many pieces of memorabilia   spanning  from 1930 to present. It also includes items from Keith's racing days.

Uke's Harley-Davidson® has been a family run dealership since 1930. Keith and Nanc are still running the dealership with help from their daughter Brenda Ulicki, son-in-law Bill Lobacz and granddaughter Frankee Lobacz. During events you can see the whole family getting involved including all the rest of Keith and Nanc's grandkids - Kyle, Cole, Max, TK (tiny Keith), Kamryn, Ryder, and Greyson.

The Uke's team is always excited to welcome new riders (and non-riders) to the family. If you ever find yourself traveling between Milwaukee and Chicago, take a quick hop off the freeway to visit Wisconsin's oldest Harley-Davidson® dealership and see some of the incredible Harley-Davidson® history you won't find anywhere else. Or stop by and enjoy one of the many events taking place each year at Uke's Harley-Davidson®.

• A bit of Uke's History
• A bit of Uke's History

• 
  The drafting is on coming onto the front straight at the 1978 Indy Mile, with Keith Ulicki (No. 73) leading Ricky Campbell (No. 82) and Billy Schaeffer (No. 96) in the Trophy race, which Ulicki won by inches.
• 
  Frank "Uke" Ulicki competing in a Hill climb event
• 
  1939 - the dealership moved down the street to 5719-22nd Avenue, Kenosha, WI
• 
  Neither Uke nor Marie ever owned a car, so their kids were brought home from the hospital in the sidecar of a Harley, known as the van. 
• 
  Keith and Nanc posse for a photo after a race with the 1st place trophy. 
• 
  Keith and Brother Frank are fighting for position in a flat track race.