Controversial motorcycle statue going up in Springville

SPRINGVILLE — A statue of a vintage racing motorcycle that was the center of an ownership controversy in Lindon has found a new home on Springville's Main Street.

The Springville Arts Commission recommended that the statue be placed on a public right-of-way in front of Legends Vintage Motorcycles, 94 N. Main. The City Council has agreed.

Last January, the statue, then in front of Timpanogos Harley-Davidson in Lindon, was reported stolen.

During their investigation, Lindon police discovered that both artist Jeff Decker of Springville and the new co-owner of the motorcycle shop, Charlie Openshaw, claimed ownership. Openshaw bought the shop from bankruptcy court, and the vintage bike sculpture was listed as one of the assets. However, Decker provided documentation that the statue was on loan to the shop. Still, Openshaw refused to release it.

So on New Year's Eve, Decker had it hoisted to the bed of a flatbed truck and took it to his Springville studio. After an investigation, police refused to file charges, and the matter was dropped.

"There was nothing criminal that occurred," said Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore.

Now the statue will be one of the largest pieces of private art in a public right-of-way in town, recreation director Chuck Keeler said.

— Rodger L. Hardy