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CYCLE & MARINE

THE EARLY YEARS

Photo as published in the Pine Bluff Commercial 1986

The Cycle & Marine Supercenter started over 50 years ago as a repair shop by Mike and Jan Adam. The name of the business was first Two Stroke’s Cycle Service, derived from Mike’s nickname, Two Stroke. Mike had worked in the chemical industry on jobs for the space program, making vitamins, electro plating, making medicine and having fun building and racing cars, go karts and motorcycles. Jan worked in the automotive industry, was the secretary to the comptroller, and at a motorcycle dealership setting up a complete inventory system. Mike and Jan both owned and rode motorcycles and saw a need for a motorcycle service facility in Pine Bluff. The first brand of motorcycles they sold was Benelli, an Italian made line of motorcycles. In 1976 they brought fame to Pine Bluff with Mike winning the AMA National Amateur Road race Championship on a Benelli 250 with Jan’s assistance as mechanic and team manager. In 31 races, Mike finished all 31 and won trophies in all 31 as well. Quite an accomplishment for the first full year of road racing and running a business too. They also took on Dalesman, Greeves, Hodaka, Laverda and Triumph motorcycles as well as go karts. On display are some of the motorcycles they collected along the way including a 1976 Benelli 2c like the one Mike won the championship on, a 1952 Triumph Cub, a 1794 Ducati 750 and a 1959 Benelli that was raced at Daytona in 1959

1979 started a new era as Suzuki motorcycles came into the fold. It was the right thing at the right time as Mike and Jan sold so many Suzukis in their first full year that they earned a trip to Japan and the Suzuki factory. Quite a trip and met some of the nicest people in the industry that are still good friends.

We won many road races with our road race team which included Mike Adam, Jan Adam, Reggie Hartsfield, Alston Jennings Jr. and a future world Champion John Kocinski.

The kids were old enough to start motorcycling too and Jeff raced an Italjet and won his first race. He thought it was too easy and said that was all there was to it. He didn’t race anymore until he started drag racing cars and then motorcycles at the age of 16. When he was 23 he won the IDBA (International Drag Bike Association) National Championship on his Suzuki GSX-R 1100. John started motocrossing and won the Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee State Championships many times and went to the Premier Amateur championships at both Ponca City and Loretta Lynn’s many times. He finished regularly in the top ten. He had the lead in Open B/C at Loretta’s after two motos but a terrible rain storm ruined the third moto for him even though he had pulled the holes hot and 8 second lead after one lap, he got stuck in at gas tank deep rut and finished out with a 6th overall. His best at Ponca is a 5th in the 250 Pro class in his last attempt before going on the National Motocross circuit. He raced the Arenacross series and finished with a 10th overall in the series for the 2000-2001 season.

Michelle has worked at the store in sales, office and parts and can help out wherever needed. Jeff designed and set up the new computer system in the store and John helps out in the service department in between National races.

In 2000 Mike and Jan made the decision to build a new store, with lots of prodding from Jan, and on July 5th, 2000 they opened the new location. If you haven’t been in the new store, you owe it to yourself to take a trip and enjoy all the room, product and friendliness.

Jan & Mike receiving one of their many sales awards from Suzuki VP Mel Harris and Regional sales manager Tom Decker.

Cycle & Marine Center location from 1976 to 2000. First only the small section to the left of the sign us Cycle & Marine. As the years passed, more was added and built until this rendition.

Mike, circa 1967, during the Army days.

Mike & Jan in the beginning.

Jan, first class secretary to the President.

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