J&P Cycles Founder and Friend of K&N John Parham Dies

May 2, 2017

John Parham developed the largest motorcycle aftermarket company in the world

The partnership between K&N and J&P Cycles goes back years. Thus, it is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of the founder of J&P Cycles, John Parham. John lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the age of 62.

John’s positive influence on motorcycling is indelible. He was an innovative business owner and a tireless promoter of all things motorcycle related. Motorsport Aftermarket Group President and CEO, Andy Graves, expressed just how powerful John’s impact has been on the motorcycling lifestyle.

“John was a very special person,” said Graves. “So many people knew John as a retailer, an event promoter, a custom bike aficionado, a vintage bike fan or the driving force behind the National Motorcycle Museum. Few people have accomplished so much for so many riders in their lifetime.”

In 1979, John started the company that DealerNews Magazine named the “World’s Largest Aftermarket Retailer.” His visionary work in mail order parts sales changed the aftermarket parts business.

Parham was passionate about preserving vintage motorcycles

John realized that a healthy mix of brick and mortar and virtual stores was the wave of the retail future. He did all of this while expanding his efforts to promote races and vintage motorcycle events throughout the country.

A good example of J&P’s promotion influence is the company’s title sponsorship of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at each stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. K&N was proud to co-sponsor that highly-successful program recognizing motorcycle design and building innovation.

John was tireless in preserving and sharing the beauty of vintage motorcycles with the masses. As chairman of the National Motorcycle Museum he helped collect one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of motorcycles in the world. The NMM preserves and displays in excess of 300 machines.

Parham's devotion to the sport of motorcycling will be missed

For his lifetime of influence in the motorcycle industry, John was inducted into both the AMA Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Sturgis Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

John He is survived by his wife Jill, son Zach, daughter-in-law Bree, and two grandchildren. Zach is the General Manager and Vice-President of Merchandising at J&P Cycles.

In memory of John Parham’s legacy, folks are encouraged to sign up for and support the organ donation program in their community, and continue their support of the National Motorcycle Museum.

We at K&N would like to express our sincere condolences to all of the friends and family of John Parham. He will be sorely missed, but his immeasurably positive influence lives on.

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