The Story Behind The Name

To say that Trev Deeley loved motorcycles would be an understatement. He raced, rode, repaired, collected, sold, distributed and talked motorcycles throughout his life.

In 1917 Trev’s grandfather, Fred Deeley Sr., began selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles on Granville Street in Vancouver. Trev’s father, Fred Jr., took over running the motorcycle operation in 1925. The business moved to 915 West Broadway a few years later. In 1950 they moved to 606 East Broadway.

During the 1940’s and 1950’s Trev dominated flat track motorcycle racing in the Northwest. He became a factory sponsored rider for Harley-Davidson. His bikes bore the number 22 as an AMA expert national plate holder, the first Canadian to have this honor. After retiring from racing, Trev continued to affiliate with the sport through sponsoring and tutoring new riders. Champions like Yvon Duhamel, Barry Sheen, Steve Baker, Jim Allen, Don Vesco, and Pete Kellond had the benefit of Trev’s support.

In 1953, Trev was appointed General Manager of Fred Deeley Motorcycles. Four years later he became the first Honda motorcycle distributor in the English speaking world. In 1973 the Harley-Davidson Motor Company asked him to become its exclusive Canadian distributor. The distribution company was named Fred Deeley Imports Ltd in honor of the family’s history in the motorcycle business. The retail store was renamed Trev Deeley Motorcycles in 1975 when Trev and his partners purchased the retail portion from Fred Deeley Imports.

In 1985 Trev became the first non-American on the board of directors for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He retired from the board in 1993.

In 1995 Trev Deeley was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. This followed with the induction into the AMA Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. In 1997 Trev became the first Canadian to receive the Dudley Perkins Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport of motorcycling.

Trev Deeley’s impact on the world of motorcycling in general, and Harley-Davidson in particular, continues today through the Fairview Campus of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The Trev Deeley Building was made possible by Trev’s donation of $750,000. Its main role is to train and certify Harley-Davidson technicians for dealerships across Canada.

The number 22 AMA Expert plate that was Trev Deeley’s racing number is proudly displayed at Trev Deeley Motorcycles in honor of a great sportsman, businessman and Canadian.

We have moved to a larger building expanding our facilities for our customers at 1875 Boundary Road in Vancouver. Our newly expanded dealership features the Trev Deeley Collection under the name of Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition.

The Exhibition has photos and mementos from Trev's racing past as well as motorcycles from almost every era. This is a must for "Motorcycle Enthusiasts".

1917: Fred Deeley Ltd begins selling Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. This makes them one of the oldest dealerships in the world.
1920: Fredrick Trevor Deeley is born on March 15th and is raised in Vancouver.
1925: Fred Deeley Sr. expands his business to two locations, the bicycle shop and the motorcycle shop. Fred Jr. Trevor's dad, runs the latter.
1935: Trevor joins his father's business at the age of 15 as a motorcycle apprentice.
1950: Fred Deeley Motorcycles moves from 915 West Broadway, to a new store at 606 East Broadway.
1953: Trev Deeley becomes the General Manager of Fred Deeley Motorcycles.
1973: Trev Deeley is asked by Harley-Davidson to become the exclusive distributor for Canada. He forms Fred Deeley Imports. Trev Deeley is awarded Special Constable status. He becomes the only civilian to ride with the Vancouver City Police Drill Team
1975: Trev rides coast to coast to introduce himself and his partner, Don James, to the existing Canadian dealers.
1976: Malcom Hunter joins the Deeley Richmond staff.
1982: Malcom Hunter becomes vice-president and a partner.
1985: Trev Deeley is invited to serve on the board of directors for Harley-Davidson. He becomes one of only three non Americans on the board.
1992: Trev Deeley Motorcycles undergoes a major renovation.
1993: The Trev Deeley Museum opens its doors. Trevor retires from the board at Harley-Davidson. Don James is invited to take his place. Trevor Deeley donates $750,000 to build a Technical Training Center at Fairview College in Alberta. Its main role is to train and certify Harley-Davidson technicians for authorized dealerships.
1994: Trev Deeley Motorcycles becomes an authorized Buell® Motorcycle dealer.
1995: Don James, CEO of Fred Deeley Imports receives entrepreneur of the year award. Trevor Deeley is inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall Of Fame. Deeley Harley-Davidson is voted one of 50 best managed companies by the Financial Post.
1996: After 46 years, Trev Deeley Motorcycles moves from 606 East Broadway to 2375 Boundary Road in East Vancouver.
1997: Deeley Harley-Davidson is named Canada's top best 50 managed companies for the second time. Trevor receives the Dudley Perkins Award for Outstanding contribution to the sport of motorcycling.
1998: "Team Deeley" breaks the world land speed record in the 1350cc class at Bonneville Speedway. Rider Shane Kenneally breaks the record riding a stock 1200cc Buell® Motorcycle.
1999: Trevor Deeley is inducted into the American Motorcycle Association Heritage Hall of Fame Museum in recognition of his outstanding contribution to all aspects of motorcycling. This includes racing, distribution, and sponsorship. At one Daytona 200 race, Trevor sponsored 22 riders including the legendary Yvon DuHamel.
2000: Trevor Deeley is inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Trevor Deeley donates one million dollars to the "Daring To Believe" campaign for the Vancouver Island Cancer Research Wing. This was given to honour his wife, Joyce.
2001: For the seventh year in a row, Deeley Harley-Davidson earns a spot as one of Canada's 50 best managed companies. Trev Deeley Motorcycles becomes the first Authorized Harley-Davidson Rentals outlet in Western Canada.
2002: May 28th, Canada's Mr Motorcycle, Trev Deeley, passes away. Through the years, Trev was a mechanic, a professional motorcycle racer and a very astute businessman. His racing career was sponsored by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. This relationship was parlayed into the Deeley family becoming the sole distributor of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and product in Canada. Trev built a world class motorcycle collection. It includes many makes and models. A book "Trev Deeley Motorcycle Millionare" was written by Frank Hilliard in 1994. This chronicled Trev's life. It is available at public libraries.
May - To commemerate Harley-Davidson's 100th Anniversary, Trev Deeley Motorcycles hosts the largest celebration of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Vancouver had seen for years.
2004: July - Deeley's House of Buell gets integrated back into Trev Deeley Motorcycles.
2005: Development plans are put forward to build a Harley-Davidson & Buell destination dealership north on Boundary Road.
2006: Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada recognizes Trev Deeley Motorcycles with Gold Award on the Road of Champions Program.
2006: November - Trev Deeley Motorcycles moves to a larger facility at 1875 Boundary Road in Vancouver.
2007: Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada recognizes Trev Deeley Motorcycles with Platinum Award on the Road of Champions Program.
2007: Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition moves to 1875 Boundary Road of Trev Deeley Motorcycles. The Motorcycle Exhibition features Trev's Collection of Vintage & Antique Motorcycles with varied themes throughout the year with interactive displays.
2008: Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada recognizes Trev Deeley Motorcycles with Platinum Award on the Road of Champions Program.
2009: Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada recognizes Trev Deeley Motorcycles with Gold Award on the Road of Champions Program.
2010: Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada recognizes Trev Deeley Motorcycles with Gold Award on the Road of Champions Program.
2011: Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada recognizes Trev Deeley Motorcycles with Platinum Award on the Road of Champions Program.
2012: Trev Deeley Motorcycles celebrates its 95th Anniversary of delivering legendary customer experiences and fulfilling motorcycling dreams…since 1917