My Dad was Sal Defeo's lawyer back in the 70's. He defended  all of Sal's lawsuits against him as my father told me he was the biggest snake he had ever met. My dad also handled his divorce & I remember him telling me that he regretted how he destroyed Sal's wife and her attorney as my Dad did very well for Sal.

 

Sal couldn't even afford to pay my father's fees--so my dad took it out in trade--Moto Guzzis',  Norton Commando, BMW with a sidecar, Ducatti, Dune Buggy and on and on.

 

Yes, the shop was down in the basement and I used to love going there as it was a cool place to hang out.

Bought my first bike from him in 1964, (I think) a Ducati. I was just 16,still riding today, not the same bike of course, but been riding ever since, Great memories, Port Washington was a million miles from Astoria.Or at least it seemed.

 

WOW. talk about memories. I was just talking with some friends about this. I bought my first bike there a Moto Guzzi traded it later for a car and then some. What a place acres of good stuff.

Yes, Sal was a great guy and would always help a biker in need. He would always find parts for my Vincent Black Shadow in the early 60'

Great place, great people and great memories whether you rode dirt bikes, street bikes or both which I did. I grew up in neighboring Little Neck, Queens and back in the day while you were riding in the "Twin Rinks" sandpits if you ever broke down or needed something (Bel-Ray, tire tubes, spark plugs) for your MX bike you always went to Ghost and were back to riding soon enough. I will always remember the inside of the main street store, that is where I learned about all of the bikes from Europe by just looking around and asking Sal, Sonny and of course Griff about what was what and they always would bring you up to speed. Man if I had a dollar for every cigarette I smoked and coke I drank while hanging out there I would have enough money to buy a new Duck!  

I sure do! Are they no longer in operation?Well I am sure I am much older than you because I remember seeing their ad in the yellow pages when I was in high school in 1954. My friends and I used to go out visit the place in 1956 and the owner was Sal Defeo. He had his father working there. They sold a lot of foreign bikes-British, German, etc. I remember the place had this great macho smell- suggesting danger.; rubber from the tires, leather from the seats, and the gasoline before all the additives were mandated. Long time ago!!. I visited their shop in 1966  and then in 1988. Sal Defeo was still there in 1966 but a new staff was evident in 1988.

SAL'S 84 doing great. he sell's shirt's in front of the red house  next to the old shop ,when he's not on the rode . He has a transportation business . 516-782-9200 or He has his old number back 516-883-5300

Sally

They are still available from Sonny @ 516 782 1770. WOW!

A BLAST FROM THE PAST!!

How about the liquor store by the old  gas station. I remember it as Ghost Liquors, at least thats what we called it. Some repo original style Ghost jerseys, Ts, sweatshirt. would sell well on ebay,

Bob

you can buy a ghost tee shirt or sweat shirt from Sal him self.

516-782-9200

I thought about Ghost this morning as I went for a ride on my 69 Lighting, did a Google search and found this post.

I worked for Ghost in 67 and 68 during the summers, did bookkeeping with a guy named Bob Read. Part of my job was to push all the bikes out in the morning and to cover Pop at the liquer store when he went out for diner. Big Jim Smith worked in the parts department, a huge guy who looked like a buldog, rode an old BMW with a solo seat. I was 19 or 20 and a motorcycle nut so this was a dream job. Drove a van to the races on the weekends when BSAs and Nortons were running on dirt. Rebember the day the uncrated an Egli Vincent and put it in the window, like a religious artifact. I loved to wonder through the warehouse down the street where there was an assortment of rare racers, a lot of small bore stuff. Remember sitting on a new Norton Ranger, always thought I'd get one some day but now I probably wouldn't be able to kick it over. Still ride Lightnings, have had one constantly since 1970.

Drove by the store a year or two ago, now full of antiques. Walked down the ramp, the basement was much smaller then I remembered. Sal used to bring mechanics over from Italy, couldn't speak English, Mike Gargano the service manager had to translate but they sure could fine tune those ducks.

Thought the family might still live in the house behind the store but there was no sign of life. Great fun a long time ago.

Lots of good "Ghost" stories. Love the one about the bikes that came flying up the ramp from the basement. Here's two more.
1- Remember the old closed up gas station up and across the street? Hundreds of bikes parked in there, many with repair tickets showing that the owners decided to abandon rather than pay the bill. I saw my first Ariel square four there. My friend was a good customer so we got a private tour.
2- One night a guy pulls up with a new CB750 - just came out - 1969. Everyone is making fun of the new "rice burner" until the guy comes flying down the street and screeches to a halt using just the front (disk) brake. That got the attention of everyone. That bike could go AND stop. Not many others could in 1969!