Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Huzo on March 10, 2019, 06:01:37 PM
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Like most kids I got to go on some rides on the back with Dad.
In those days it was a T500 Suzuki and a couple of Honda’s.
There was a time when I was about 14 when we headed off on an ill planned trip to Ayers Rock, with minimal gear and probably not enough money. It became obvious when we were near Adelaide when the weather turned sour, that a rubberised ground sheet stretched between saplings, was not going to be enough to ensure my well being.
He rather skilfully got me to help with gathering up of underbrush and bushes to form a windbreak and dug a bit of a shallow trench in the sandy soil.
Once darkness fell and the fire was established, he could see that we needed better wood, so after some counselling on the pitfalls of becoming a thief, we stole a red gum post (as they were then) from beside the road and settled in.
It was about then that I felt the pull in two directions at once..
Do I sleep an acceptable distance away and freeze my arse off, or stay close and hope my mates don’t find out ?
I had no idea that Dad had thought this out before me and when I tried to sleep a couple of feet away but could not due to the cold, he dug out a depression next to himself and told me to come closer, I inwardly wanted to initially but as a young bloke felt a bit embarrassed...
He said my mates would not find out and reached out to shake my hand in the pitch dark to seal his word on the matter, I felt closer to him than ever, even before I moved across, and once he threw the ground sheet over me, the next thing I heard was the screaming of Kookaburras and Cockatoos on a beautiful Aussie morning.
I may be bullshitting myself here, but I know the bike was parked right beside us and with the rubberised cover over us both, I thought I could feel it’s warmth...probably not in reality.
We returned home that day and Dad saved for some proper gear...
He passed away in 1997 but I still see the place as I pass by in the truck or on the bike..
It feels the same on 34 wheels as it does on two, and I still love him for it.
Mum died 4 days ago and it was one of the last stories we recounted..
ps..
I realise in the current climate there are a hundred tasteless jokes that could be made given that I grew up in the same town as George Pell, and I’ll chuckle as much as anyone if there are any..
But we know it’s a different thing... :bow:
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My dad (stepdad) did not believe motorcycles were safe. Death machines you know... But he did co-sign for my second bike, I think to assure that I wouldn't have to drive his car or be on his insurance.
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Thanks for sharing that Huzo.
So glad you got to retell that story with your mom before she passed.
Memories are indeed treasures.
Condolences.
inditx
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nope. Mine stopped riding for 51 years. He took the MSF course, aced it, and bought a Honda Rebel. Unfortunately he got lung cancer and died before I could ride with him.
I've had some great rides with both of my sons, especially the 17 year old now that he can ride on the street. I hope they appreciated it someday.
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Great story Huzo. My dad never rode but my oldest and youngest son do. My oldest and I started to go for weekend camping trips back in 06 and went to Nova Scotia for a week three years ago. My youngest son got a bike three years ago and I have been away a couple of weekends with him and with he and his brother together a couple of times as well.
A good ride, a campfire and a few beers with your sons........doesn't get any better!
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No but my boys came up ridding with me as soon as they could walk.
(https://i.ibb.co/4m4QM8G/BBB15163-378-E-4511-B70-D-BB2089-A8-DE87.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4m4QM8G)
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Nope. Dad was a mean tennis player and could paddle a canoe on a calm lake.
But he chauffeured us around Western Europe in 1960 in a new Beetle, probably the high point of my education, and subsidized many hare-brained adventures. He collaborated on the purchase by his sons of bicycles, sailboats and other good clean fun, and taught me to drive stick so I could tow those boats. But motorcycles were right out of it -- Mom's attitude was "If the bike doesn't kill you, I will."
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I never remember a time when my dad didn't have a motorcycle. I was raised on them. I'm 66 and dad's 86 and we still ride together. His both Guzzis now have sidecars mounted. A 73 Eldorado and an 84 Convert. I have a picture of him on an Indian with a sidecar and my two brothers and myself in the sidecar. I'm about 4, my older brother is 5 and younger brother is 2. We made two trips together from eastern Pa to Arizona for the Prescott Rally. The last one we made was when he was 78. It's been a great life with him and I am so fortunate to have shared all this with him. He has been my best riding friend for years. My both brothers ride Guzzis as does my wife and our son. I could not ask for more.
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Thanks to those who offered condolences..
Mum said she was keen to see Dad again and I told her to be careful what she wished for..!
There is an upside though, where Dad went there is no need to light a fire, they burn for all eternity apparently.. :evil: :wink:
On a different matter but sort of connected..
When I gained my senior instructor rating in gliders, I would take Dad on cross countries in the Janus, or ASH 25.
He once asked if I felt encumbered by “ having to fly him around”... :rolleyes:
I drew the obvious comparison and recounted the above story, he made a nice comment regarding baton passing or similar..
I’m glad I was in the rear seat, I think we must have been near cloud base..
It all got a bit misty.
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Nope. My dad never rode. He was into hunting, fishing and watching sports on TV.
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Condolences Huzo on your mother's departing. A sad time.
My mother didn't like motorbikes, my dad had one for a considerable period. I think he gave them up when he and my mother married.
He did however, encourage me to get my first bike. He always turned down my offer to take him for a ride sadly.
A generation on and my son rides with me when he can. We have a 600 mile return trip planned for Easter. Funnily enough, I am much more likely to do a solo mission than he is.
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Sorry for your loss Huzo.
My old man had a Vincent Black Shadow and a Sunbeam S8 sidecar rig in the 50's in the UK, but didn't take any interest in bikes after we came here to Aust in 1964. In fact he was busy working 4 jobs to put a roof over our heads so didn't take any interest in us kids either. No wonder I have no parenting skills.
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Sorry for your loss Huzo.
My old man had a Vincent Black Shadow and a Sunbeam S8 sidecar rig in the 50's in the UK, but didn't take any interest in bikes after we came here to Aust in 1964. In fact he was busy working 4 jobs to put a roof over our heads so didn't take any interest in us kids either. No wonder I have no parenting skills.
You’re an Aussie, you don’t need parenting skills..
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Sorry about you mum Huzo. My mum and my younger brother were with dad when he died. My brother told my mum to give dad a kiss before he died, so she kissed him and he died right then. She looked at us and said "how about that, the Kiss of the Spider Woman. (Old film reference)
My old man wasn't into bikes, and my mother didn't like them at all. I was very surprised when he offered to help bring my first bike home from the railway station in the trailer (I didn't have my license yet), and he didn't tell mum. He had a smile on his face when he saw the bike.
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Sorry about you mum Huzo. My mum and my younger brother were with dad when he died. My brother told my mum to give dad a kiss before he died, so she kissed him and he died right then. She looked at us and said "how about that, the Kiss of the Spider Woman. (Old film reference)
My old man wasn't into bikes, and my mother didn't like them at all. I was very surprised when he offered to help bring my first bike home from the railway station in the trailer (I didn't have my license yet), and he didn't tell mum. He had a smile on his face when he saw the bike.
Thanks Mick..
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Sorry to hear your news H
My Dad rode bikes but got rid of them before I came along and never gave me any encouragement to ride.
In fact even with me WELL past 18, I still think the thinks I'm an idiot for riding one!
Fathers and sons don't always get it right but when we do (stepson in my case) it really is a special thing
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Sorry to hear your news H
My Dad rode bikes but got rid of them before I came along and never gave me any encouragement to ride.
In fact even with me WELL past 18, I still think the thinks I'm an idiot for riding one!
Fathers and sons don't always get it right but when we do (stepson in my case) it really is a special thing
:thumb:
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I am fantastically lucky to be able to go out with my Dad and Son. Love and enjoy every minute of it. Emotional at times.
Pretty poor clip from the LM of the lad on the back of the auld fella's 1000's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyst3mGoF_M&t=53s
At the Pondorsa With Dad on V7, brother in law (Ducati) and my Lm.
(https://i.ibb.co/kS5Djjn/43214161990-2c552d8472-z-1.jpg)
Kev
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My dad. My hero.
I remember as a real young kid riding pillion with him on his 1974 BMW everywhere. Then, when I got old enough I got my own bike, I continued to ride behind him, but on my own. I can say I've ridden with him one way or another since I was probably 7 years old or so. I'd venture to say I have 100K miles riding with him over the years. My Uncle, dad and I have covered most of the states together and lots of miles. I'll cherish those memories.
He's almost 78 now and doesn't ride anymore. He could if he wanted to, but he just don't want to anymore.
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Sorry about your Mom. that really sucks... been there..:(
Great story, and something you will keep with you forever. Im the first gen rider in my family. Not really close to my dad, but wile he didnt ride, he could hunt, shoot, so I would have been well fed.. Grew up with my stepdad, and still not really close, but he was a old school racecar driver, and mechanical wiz.. Thats where my love of machinery comes from. I picked up motorcycles as a young adult after a childhood of mini bikes, and ATC's.. Never got the Dad stories though... I just try to be better with my kids.
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Nope. Dad was into boats and fishing. I got my first boat at age 7. Got into bikes on my own at age 20.
Larry
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Huzo, sorry to hear about your mom...
That said, thank you for sharing that story about your dad. Those stories are priceless.
Only riding I've ever done with my dad was when I was 2-3 years old going around the driveway, me sitting on the tank, of his old Honda CB450. The following winter, mice got under the side cover and chewed the wiring, it hasn't ran since, but it still turns over just fine. I'm planning a restoration of that old bike. But... my dad is now 75, headed for 76 this summer. His motorcycle riding days are likely done.
That said, I'm restoring that 82 Goldwing, and I know the perfect accessory. I'm going to mount a sidecar to the old beast. Then get him and mom to go for a ride...
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To my knowledge, no one in my family rode bikes ...I also had no friends who rode bikes ....
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Thanks for the telling, Huzo.
Mom and Dad hated Murdercycles....but ...
At hospice he expressed how much of a mistake that was considering he had been a Navy pilot flying Corsairs on and off aircraft carriers at night....w a wife and four kids on the line......half his squadron died adjusting to the canted decks.... VC4 Blackcats
I did get to ride with him for day ......brought his ashes with me tucked into the saddlebag on the Cal3FF, his favorite..
My daughter has the skill, but not the need.
Thanks again!
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I hear you, Chuck. My father had a 1935 Harley-Davidson 74 when he was in the Army Air Corps during the war, so he had previous experience when I got my '72 H2 in 1978. When he retired about then, he bought a couple motorcycles to fix up and sell, thinking it might be a fun retirement hobby. We rode a little together when he had an H1, and then a mid sized Suzuki 4-stroke.
When we had him cremated in 2016, I rode my Mille to get his ashes and bring them home. About all I could think about was how strange and sad it was to have ridden with him back in the late '70s, and now be carrying him home on the back of the motorcycle with me.
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:cool: I rode on the back of my dad's 1961 Panhead. That started my motorcycle sickness. I'm loving every minute of it !! :boozing:
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Dad was a despatch rider for the CDN army, rode TRW500s.
When I was a hair under 2 years old, he bought a '72 CB350 that some kid rode from California to Whitehorse, for $200. I grew up staring at that thing, and bouncing down fireroads and gravel backroads behind him, until he bought me a XL80S in 1981. He sold the 350 in the early 90s.
But I found it in the early 2000s. Same bike, numbers verified against old reg papers, I bought it... for $200. Still own it. Will never sell it.
Dad's still alive, but he fought off cancer 15 years ago, and is currently recovering from G.B.S. I don't know if he'll ride again, but I'm working on getting my CL90 back on the road, so if he comes to visit us, he can putt around on it.
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Truly sorry for your loss, Huzo. My Dad was an amateur flat track and motocross racer around the time I was born. He purchased a '74 CB750 from my Uncle and would transport my older brother and I around on it with me on the tank and brother on pillion, often on the highway. Brother and I are hooked pretty bad, but Dad hung it up more than thirty years ago after getting tired of commuting on the old CB in South Houston traffic. He came up for a visit last year, and I had planned a dirt bike day for family and friends at my Uncle's farm so he could watch his grandsons ride, relax, and shoot the breeze with my buddies... one of which brought his identical to my Dad's '74 CB750 in Flake Sunrise Orange. Half joking, I told my Dad that if he felt so inclined, he was welcome to ride my Yamaha TW200 around the course. He said, "I thought you'd never ask!" I handed him my helmet and after what was probably close to 35 years since he rode that CB, and at 75 years old (I know, I know!), he did three laps of our 1/2 mile dirt course. Awesome.
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Truly sorry for your loss, Huzo. My Dad was an amateur flat track and motocross racer around the time I was born. He purchased a '74 CB750 from my Uncle and would transport my older brother and I around on it with me on the tank and brother on pillion, often on the highway. Brother and I are hooked pretty bad, but Dad hung it up more than thirty years ago after getting tired of commuting on the old CB in South Houston traffic. He came up for a visit last year, and I had planned a dirt bike day for family and friends at my Uncle's farm so he could watch his grandsons ride, relax, and shoot the breeze with my buddies... one of which brought his identical to my Dad's '74 CB750 in Flake Sunrise Orange. Half joking, I told my Dad that if he felt so inclined, he was welcome to ride my Yamaha TW200 around the course. He said, "I thought you'd never ask!" I handed him my helmet and after what was probably close to 35 years since he rode that CB, and at 75 years old (I know, I know!), he did three laps of our 1/2 mile dirt course. Awesome.
The TW200 is first on my "next bike" list. I have to have one.
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Truly sorry for your loss, Huzo. My Dad was an amateur flat track and motocross racer around the time I was born. He purchased a '74 CB750 from my Uncle and would transport my older brother and I around on it with me on the tank and brother on pillion, often on the highway. Brother and I are hooked pretty bad, but Dad hung it up more than thirty years ago after getting tired of commuting on the old CB in South Houston traffic. He came up for a visit last year, and I had planned a dirt bike day for family and friends at my Uncle's farm so he could watch his grandsons ride, relax, and shoot the breeze with my buddies... one of which brought his identical to my Dad's '74 CB750 in Flake Sunrise Orange. Half joking, I told my Dad that if he felt so inclined, he was welcome to ride my Yamaha TW200 around the course. He said, "I thought you'd never ask!" I handed him my helmet and after what was probably close to 35 years since he rode that CB, and at 75 years old (I know, I know!), he did three laps of our 1/2 mile dirt course. Awesome.
Thats awesome man!! Boys never grow up, and its always fun to play in the dirt!!!
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My Dad never rode and was not even a car guy.
He bought the least expensive vehicles that would meet the needs of the family.
He never understood my fascination with two wheels and 2 seaters.
I exposed my sons to dirt riding but they never got it in their blood. They don't care about cars either.
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we rode together some in the old days. I even bought a couple bikes from him. one was a '71 Ambassador, my first Guzzi. He's been gone since '01. I'm grateful he taught me to ride when I was a pup
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My Dad was a GM man, not an MG man ...... DonG
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Nope, Dad was an Airplane & deep sea fisher type of guy. think Hemingway
I did get my MC license on his Honda 125 suitcase cycle. The one he and Mom used when they flew down to Cabo San Lucas back in the 70's.
I still have the bike.
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Would have liked to but my dad was already 51 when I was born and had little other life outside of farming and cattle feeding. My mother was was always distressed that I rode, flew and boated. She considered all those things to be extremely dangerous. She would tell me that I need to quit those things and take up bowling instead and I would just reply that I might drop the bowling ball on my foot and hurt myself. She would just mutter and turn away.
GliderJohn
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My Dad was a GM man, not an MG man ...... DonG
My dad was a Triumph man, not an MG man... Couldn't resist- he was into TR3's long before I was born. No problem with Guzzis, but MG was a dirty word in our house.
Seriously, he liked to point out he got a bike license as a young man and kept his endorsement but never rode that I knew of during my lifetime. Still, we did a lot of bike stuff after the cows were sold. We chased, bought, sold and traded hundreds of bikes over the years. After I moved back to SC, he spent a lot of time at the bike shop, our rally & events.
He always wanted a HD Sprint because his younger brother had a new one briefly around 1970. The project electric start 73-74 sprints he collected while I wasn't living here didn't grow new parts for free or fix themselves, so never got fixed. Soon after I got back, I got a turn key/push button, registered & running 74 350sx with 2k original mile in a good Ducati 250 trade and gave it to him so he could have the nice one he said he always wanted. He pushed it into the shop and never even started it, much less rode it. He also liked the idea of having a nice sandcast 750 Honda, so I gave him vin #1000042 (first day of production). He liked that a lot but he never did anything with it, either. He liked bikes but for whatever reason, riding or spending $$ on them wasn't his thing.
About 10 yrs later as he was dying, he said he was giving the Sprint to my brother on the condition I kept it running & take care of it for him for free. When he said that, my brother and I gave each other a ?!? look and later agreed that arrangement made no sense. so I got it and later traded it for my current Ducati 250.
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(https://i.ibb.co/tsH4SBH/DSCN0486.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tsH4SBH)
(https://i.ibb.co/XyLG2Hc/DSCN0484.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XyLG2Hc)
Thats a great story, Huzo. Thanks for sharing that. I am sorry about your Moms recent passing. It sounds like you two had a great friendship, and its cool you were recently able to share that story with her.My son has been riding with me since he was about 9 . He started in the dirt, on a Honda 50 mini trail. He is currently 35 and we still ride together, both in the dirt, and street. We each own 5 motorcycles, and we are always tinkering with one of the bikes.
Its cool to share the same hobby with my Son. :thumb:
Rick.
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Huzo,
I'm truly sorry about your mum's passing. Both my parents went young when I was still in my 40's and it gets easier, but not better. ~HUGS~
My dad hated motorcycles, my mom wanted to tour Europe with me in the '80s on Beemers (probably to piss of my dad). After my dad went (mom was already gone) the Hubs and I bought scooters, then motorcycles, then more scooters. Wish I'd done it earlier, but it was worth the wait.
On Fridays, weather permitting, we pick up our two younger kids from school on the Vespas. They love feeling special, being the only kids in school to go home in such a manner. We've taught our eldest and my brother-in-law to ride on the Metropolitans, much to their joy. Our kids may never become riders, but they might remember it and us fondly.
(https://i.ibb.co/w713yff/fullsizeoutput-20bc.jpg) (https://ibb.co/w713yff)
(https://i.ibb.co/JRPDgHh/fullsizeoutput-1d3f.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JRPDgHh)
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Yeah I got to ride dirtbikes with Dad in the late 70s and 80s and they were some of the best of times and the best of memories. Hungry Creek, Mooney Creek, Jillaby and Dubbo Valley were all great places to ride. The men had beer, the kids had soft drinks, sausages on the barby wrapped up in a slice of bread...heaven.
Dad was a road rider from about 1949 or so until I was born in 66. He was Norton though and through. Dad stopped road riding and we did the dirt stuff, then he stopped it all and in many ways my taking up road riding in 1995 estranged him from me, which was sad...he'd gone right off bikes. The good thing was, our last road trip together out to Bathurst and Mudgee in the Commodore I did the driving (Dad was blind by then) and we talked a lot about bikes, riding and the old days, lots of laughing and we "made the connection" again. I had to return to the UK and Dad died less than 6 months later.
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No.
He hated motorcycles. So much so that I could not even buy a moped.
Maybe that's why I have mopeds and bikes at age of 60???
However my daughter rode 5 years with me. Now she has a KTM Duke.
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I rode thousands of miles on the back of my dad's KZ900. We'd go camping or cheap hotels, and ride for days. He had lower bars on the bike, but installed an ugly sissy bar for me. That's a good dad! I miss him terribly.
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Dad was a car bloke and never had a bike but he didnt get too worried when a KX80 turned up at our place...he died when I was 15 so we never got to share any adult time. Mum is not a fan of bikes but she took us motocrossing when we were teenagers an I have had over 50 so I think she gets it now but I never talk road bikes or adventures with her.
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(https://i.ibb.co/cX6TVpQ/Dad-on-CZ.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cX6TVpQ)
(https://i.ibb.co/rb1Q91C/Mom-on-Benelli.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rb1Q91C)
Dad had a 175cc CZ. Mom had a Benelli 65cc mini. They rode them a few times. Mom got thrown, that ended that. :grin: I never got to ride with them, but, I used to wait til the old man went to work and "borrow" the bikes. Been riding since late '60s. Never learn. :bike-037:
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I echo what Loop Tonti EV said, since he's my brother :grin:
When I was 6 months old dad plopped me in mom's lap in the sidecar of his '35 H-D. We rode around the blacksmith shop. I cried the whole way (maybe I had an early aversion to the "Motor Company"). That was 1954. I haven't been without a bike since I bought a 1947 Whizzer Sportsman in 1966.
Dad took each son on a "Rite of Passage" trip from PA to Canada the summer after we turned 12. What an adventure! Loop Tonti EV and I have sons and we repeated that experience for them when they hit 12 years old. Dad went along. When my grandson turned 12 in 2013, I took him on a motorcycle trip and, as you might guess, dad rode with us. It had been 50 years since dad took my oldest brother on his trip. American Motorcyclist magazine featured our trip as a 50 year family tradition.
What a great heritage he has passed on to us and I love that he still throws a leg over one of his sidecar rigs and lets the wind and the throb of a V-twin paste a big smile on his face.
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One of my earliest memories is of dad toodling me around our 3 acre country property on his little Honda. Growing up, my sister and I toured all over the country with he and my mother, Dad on his 74 Eldorado Police (now mine,) and mom on her 80s MG 1000 5-speed with a sidecar. One of us would be on the back of dad's Eldorado, the other in the sidecar, and we'd switch, about halfway through each day. We hit many Guzzi rallies on our summer trips, and by the time I was 14, we had toured through almost all 48 interconnected states, minus a few in the upper New England area. Sadly, he doesn't ride, anymore, so I've never gotten the chance to ride beside him, but it was a great childhood, growing up in a MG family.
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Ive enjoyed reading all the posts even though my dad never rode. My two younger brothers rode and all 4 of my daughters have ridden with me. They all gave it up, except for me. And hopefully I'll never outgrow the thrill.
Tex
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Yes, for only about 5 or 6 years...some of my favorite memories...especial ly the rides to our lake cabin in the Cookson Hills and the trips over to Arkansas to War Eagle for some crafts festivals...wish we'd made a cross-country trip together!
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I think I was around 7 or 8 when I was offered the choice of a mini bike in lieu of a go kart. It was a little Yamaha 60 Enduro. For some reason, Yamaha built a 60cc bike that could be made street legal.. Wish I still had it! Anywho...My dad soon got the 250 version. We were lucky enough to have a youth motorcycle club in the area (TNT - Track & Trail), so lots of kids and their parents had a way to get out and trail ride, race, or go to professional races to watch the big boys.
My dad rode for a while, but ended up on the wrenching side of things when I started racing. I was lucky enough to have two parents that were very supportive in my racing. I have a cool pic somewhere of my parents standing beside me after finishing the Blackwater 100... Mom handed me the Gatoraid (back when it was in large glass containers) while pops filled the fuel tank!
richy
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Not only no, but hell no. The old man hated "them damn motorsickles." I've seen him run one into the ditch.. :shocked:
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Thanks for the thoughts you guys and GG.
I gave a bit of a talk at Mum’s funeral today and tore Dad a new arse from a position of safety, I doubt he can get a burning pitch fork up my blurter from where he is.
A few funny anecdotes and there was not a dry eye in the house.
In an attempt to highlight Mum and Dads relationship as it was, I recounted how Dad would go out to the shed on a nice morning in his singlet and Homer Simpson replica Y fronts, complete with Grosby slippers to retrieve his pipe and commence turning on the Myford (lathe) which I still have.
Mum would dutifully arrive at the shed door an hour later with an emergency pack of clothes for Dad and say..
“Here Kevin, put these on”
Dad would start the next cut and engage the auto feed and try to get his dacks on before the saddle crashed into the chuck..
(He was successful a couple of times)
And the time he was cutting a bit of 4” pipe with the angle grinder and set fire to his oily pants..
With fire pouring out his arse he yelled to Mum to throw a nearby bucket of water over his nether regions, it never occurred to him to put the machine down..
He was a bit of a tool, but I loved him and still do..
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Good story Pete. Your mother must have had lots of patience.
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My dad was a Motorcycle Policeman in the 50's , riding a 3 wheel Harley (Servicar?.)
Met him at the end of the driveway every day ,at 5 yrs old it was a long ride. The driveway was o only 500ft but it seemed like miles.
50 years later he passed on and the police chief asked if we had any requests , we asked if the 3 wheel could be used to escort for his funeral..
REQUEST FUFILLED.
A great way to seal.memories.
TOMB
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Yeah I got to ride dirtbikes with Dad in the late 70s and 80s and they were some of the best of times and the best of memories. Hungry Creek, Mooney Creek, Jillaby and Dubbo Valley were all great places to ride. The men had beer, the kids had soft drinks, sausages on the barby wrapped up in a slice of bread...heaven.
Dad was a road rider from about 1949 or so until I was born in 66. He was Norton though and through. Dad stopped road riding and we did the dirt stuff, then he stopped it all and in many ways my taking up road riding in 1995 estranged him from me, which was sad...he'd gone right off bikes. The good thing was, our last road trip together out to Bathurst and Mudgee in the Commodore I did the driving (Dad was blind by then) and we talked a lot about bikes, riding and the old days, lots of laughing and we "made the connection" again. I had to return to the UK and Dad died less than 6 months later.
Good one SS..!
Plenty of power points in that one.
Commodore, barby, sausage in bread, Bathurst, Mudgee and a string of quintessentially Australian town names and...
BEER..!
I can smell the eucalyptus now.. :thumb:
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Good story Pete. Your mother must have had lots of patience.
Yeah thank you Mick.
Hard though it may be to believe, compared to Dad, I as the only Son was the quiet pensive voice of reason on a tempestuous sea of constant ill fated quests and perpetual stuff-ups..
He was the chatterbox of the two of us.
No....
REALLY..!
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Never rode with Dad, never had a clue where he was, but I have had some great times riding with my daughter. Indiana campouts, Illinois rally, and just riding around. She'd like to do a big trip someday like I did when I was young to Colorado. Hopefully before I'm too old.
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Thanks for the telling, Huzo.
... a Navy pilot flying Corsairs on and off aircraft carriers at night....
I am indeed not worthy... :bow:
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I am indeed not worthy... :bow:
Me either.
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I am indeed not worthy... :bow:
I don't know of anything more all consuming and difficult than that. Not even close
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My dad. My hero.
I remember as a real young kid riding pillion with him on his 1974 BMW everywhere. Then, when I got old enough I got my own bike, I continued to ride behind him, but on my own. I can say I've ridden with him one way or another since I was probably 7 years old or so. I'd venture to say I have 100K miles riding with him over the years. My Uncle, dad and I have covered most of the states together and lots of miles. I'll cherish those memories.
He's almost 78 now and doesn't ride anymore. He could if he wanted to, but he just don't want to anymore.
Thank you especially Luap.
Without your unseen (by most) hours keeping Wildguzzi ticking over, we would not have the “forum” worthy of offering sincere and heartfelt emotions to others of similar interests and depth of sincerity.
I think that great philosopher Ncdan put it best when he said words to the effect of..
“We can tear each other to bits in a feeding frenzy akin to hyenas on the Serengeti, but when one of us is vulnerable there’ll be a tide of support that will not bear resistance..”
I’m gunna’ resolve to pick shit out of people for no good reason other than gratuitous self promotion, just a little less often and will welcome criticism if I falter..
I’m feeling better as days go by.. :bow:
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I don't remember actually riding with my dad, but he always made sure we had toys to play with at the cottage. Here we are window shopping at Honda of Ottawa (ca.1974) after having missed their business hours to buy parts for our SL175.
(https://i.ibb.co/vHqq3b2/ca-1974.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vHqq3b2)
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I did, more to follow soon.
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Sorry for your loss Huzo.
Lucky to have taken many a trip with my dad. I remember him strapping me on with his belt so I didn’t fall off sleeping. Also seeing Mnt Rushmore at 35 mph, he hit my knee and pointed up to his right. Yelled “you see it” and took off. My dad passed 18 years ago when I was 29. This is the only pic I have on my phone. No idea why we look so gloomy. Ha ha.
(https://i.ibb.co/bsSMyhk/C131-F800-5-F10-4-D99-9-C00-F07128-F49084.png) (https://ibb.co/bsSMyhk)
host image (https://imgbb.com/)
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Sorry for your loss Huzo.
Lucky to have taken many a trip with my dad. I remember him strapping me on with his belt so I didn’t fall off sleeping. Also seeing Mnt Rushmore at 35 mph, he hit my knee and pointed up to his right. Yelled “you see it” and took off. My dad passed 18 years ago when I was 29. This is the only pic I have on my phone. No idea why we look so gloomy. Ha ha.
(https://i.ibb.co/bsSMyhk/C131-F800-5-F10-4-D99-9-C00-F07128-F49084.png) (https://ibb.co/bsSMyhk)
host image (https://imgbb.com/)
:thumb:
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My Dad rode bikes in his youth but had stopped before I started on them. He did take a couple of my bikes out for a spin in my early biking days - it was only fair as he'd paid for them!
As an ex-racer (Manx Norton 500 back in the '50s) he always fancied a go on the 916 but felt he was too old and rusty so never did.
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Yes I did! :thumb: Somewhere there is a pic of me on the tank, in front of my Dad on a Honda 305. He was at that time a Cycle Policeman. Honda had come to Charles Long, who then owned all of Long Lewis Ford, to try to get him to deal Honda’s. My Mom was Mr Longs secretary, so he got her to get my Dad to ride it around for a week and he would decide. Dad thought it was nice, but not a Harley. He rode it down to the local Harley dealer TD Howton, and Mr Howton told him it was a cute sewing machine. Dad reported that to Mr Long, who passed on the opportunity. TD Howton, contacted Honda, got the first Honda dealership around, and made millions.
My dad rode all of my life and had the 3 boys on dirt bikes at 7. My last ride was with him on his 1200 S&S Sportster and I was on my K1200 gt Bimmer. He shredded his drive belt, showing me the engines power. My brother came in a pickup and we carried the bike home to repair. After he passed a few months later, I took the Sportster out and finished the planned ride. Cried most of the way.
(https://i.ibb.co/wNj44Kb/9-A1-B94-DC-0-A8-A-4162-9-EB0-D4-C28-A177-ABC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wNj44Kb)
pic share (https://imgbb.com/)
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Yes I did! :thumb: Somewhere there is a pic of me on the tank, in front of my Dad on a Honda 305. He was at that time a Cycle Policeman. Honda had come to Charles Long, who then owned all of Long Lewis Ford, to try to get him to deal Honda’s. My Mom was Mr Longs secretary, so he got her to get my Dad to ride it around for a week and he would decide. Dad thought it was nice, but not a Harley. He rode it down to the local Harley dealer TD Howton, and Mr Howton told him it was a cute sewing machine. Dad reported that to Mr Long, who passed on the opportunity. TD Howton, contacted Honda, got the first Honda dealership around, and made millions.
My dad rode all of my life and had the 3 boys on dirt bikes at 7. My last ride was with him on his 1200 S&S Sportster and I was on my K1200 gt Bimmer. He shredded his drive belt, showing me the engines power. My brother came in a pickup and we carried the bike home to repair. After he passed a few months later, I took the Sportster out and finished the planned ride. Cried most of the way.
(https://i.ibb.co/wNj44Kb/9-A1-B94-DC-0-A8-A-4162-9-EB0-D4-C28-A177-ABC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wNj44Kb)
pic share (https://imgbb.com/)
Now that's a cool picture of your Dad that I can appreciate!!! If you have any more of him on his cop bike please post them. It's close to my heart.
(https://i.ibb.co/fYfzjjW/5-BD8149-F-8-BC9-4-FF8-A627-AF129-A82-FFF5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fYfzjjW)
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My condolences mate.
It's bloody hard losing a parent eh.
I lost my Mum 2 and a bit years ago.
Your post has brought a few memories ( good ones ) back to me.
When I was 18 back in NZ, Mum had a job in a clothing factory about 3 or 4 kays away from home.
A bit far for her to walk so she'd hitch a ride with me on my Honda XL 250S in the mornings on my way to work in the Square in Christchurch.
The first ( in fact about every bloody time now I think about it ) time was hilarious !
Being a dirt bike the seat wasn't very big and Mum took up about 80% of it!Which didn't leave a lot for me to say the least.
I could just control the bike but when she put her arms round me to hang on she'd just about squeeze the damn air outa my lungs!
We'd then proceed to wobble off down Bowhill rd at a heady 50kays an hour just to be on the safe ( ???) side.
Very interesting in winter I might add!
I'd then repeat this on the way home!
Thank god it wasn't far!
I'd love to know what her mates at work thought about it.
God I can see her now in that helmet that was about 3 x sizes too big!
It still hurts losing her mate but time does help eh!
As for Dad, he never did ride but his mates and a brother in law did when they were young.
I left home at 20 like most Kiwi's and did the overseas trip and was gone for about 5 years.I never sold the bike but left it in the shed.
In the meantime I got word that dad ( intrigued by my love of bikes ) taught himself how to ride ( like me ) and used to ride my Honda round the neighborhood!!
Ha ha I thought it was a son's job to pinch the ole mans bike and sneak out on it!
I still have that photo and love it to buggery an back eh.
Many years later after we'd all ended up over here in Oz I took dad out on the back of my GSXR 1100 a few times.
His comments were Holy shit that's quick and he couldn't get used to how quick it would rev.
Comparing it to his mates ole Trumpets Nortons & Beezas ha ha.
Anyways we still have and cherish him.
He's about to turn 82 and doing pretty well.
Actually my wife and I are about to take him on a road trip with us in the next fortnight so it'll be fantastic to reminisce about our family holidays to the west coast ( of the south island nz ) back in the 60's and 70's!
We'll be doing it in a bit more comfort than the family 1952 Morris Oxford could muster though!!
Ahhh mate the memories!
Once again ole mate very sorry for your loss.
Cheers Guzzler
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Thanks, it's been 10 years and a lot of miles since. My son, had he ever come to this forum, would say "Yes" as well. This taken after his first run thru Deals Gap.
(https://i.ibb.co/Y8WSgnv/IMG-1637.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8WSgnv)
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It's nice riding on the West Coast there Guzzler. The Rahu Saddle between Reefton and Springs Junction is one of my favourites. The road from Karamea through to the Haast ain't too shabby either. :thumb:
One of these days I will get to ride through the Haast on a fine day instead of in the middle of a weather bomb!
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It's nice riding on the West Coast there Guzzler. The Rahu Saddle between Reefton and Springs Junction is one of my favourites. The road from Karamea through to the Haast ain't too shabby either. :thumb:
One of these days I will get to ride through the Haast on a fine day instead of in the middle of a weather bomb!
You're not wrong about the coast there Muzz !
Always loved it over there even as a kid .
Always felt like it was the land that time had forgotten, at least it did in the 60's and 70's.
I managed to get a few bike trips in before I left for the bright lights of the world though.
My best mates are over here in Perth whilst I'm in Victoria but the three of us keep harping on about reprising our CHCH Queenstown Haast & Arthurs pass CHCH trip.
The Haast was still dirt back then but our two XL 250's and a TS125 handled it all pretty well.
Love to do it again on something like a DR650 with the boy's.
Hmmm maybe one of these days.
Cheers Guzzler.
Ps thoughts are with you all as I'm sure Kiwi's the world over unite
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You're not wrong about the coast there Muzz !
Always loved it over there even as a kid .
Always felt like it was the land that time had forgotten, at least it did in the 60's and 70's.
I managed to get a few bike trips in before I left for the bright lights of the world though.
My best mates are over here in Perth whilst I'm in Victoria but the three of us keep harping on about reprising our CHCH Queenstown Haast & Arthurs pass CHCH trip.
The Haast was still dirt back then but our two XL 250's and a TS125 handled it all pretty well.
Love to do it again on something like a DR650 with the boy's.
Hmmm maybe one of these days.
Cheers Guzzler.
Ps thoughts are with you all as I'm sure Kiwi's the world over unite
Sincere thanks Guzz
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My dad was a mean ol mafia guy. I was lucky if he let me ride in the car with him.
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My dad was a mean ol mafia guy. I was lucky if he let me ride in the car with him.
Did he sound like Al Pacino ?
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Ps thoughts are with you all as I'm sure Kiwi's the world over unite
And the Aussies too, we've been mates too long.
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You're not wrong about the coast there Muzz !
Always loved it over there even as a kid .
Always felt like it was the land that time had forgotten, at least it did in the 60's and 70's.
I managed to get a few bike trips in before I left for the bright lights of the world though.
My best mates are over here in Perth whilst I'm in Victoria but the three of us keep harping on about reprising our CHCH Queenstown Haast & Arthurs pass CHCH trip.
The Haast was still dirt back then but our two XL 250's and a TS125 handled it all pretty well.
Love to do it again on something like a DR650 with the boy's.
Hmmm maybe one of these days.
Cheers Guzzler.
Ps thoughts are with you all as I'm sure Kiwi's the world over unite
Thanks Guzzler. Still numb and a bit hard to believe.
I find the Breva an ideal bike for the Coast, not too big, not too small. The Suzuki SV650 probably another one of ideal size. You have to watch for the tourists, sometimes on the wrong side of the road and definitely hugging the centre line. Very rarely will they pull over to let faster traffic through also.
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My step dad had an Ariel Square four that he sold when he married my mom. My biological father and brother were both killed 3 months before I was born, he loved my mom so much he tried to keep me off. One day when he was 72 my stepfather took off on my Harley. My heart was in my throat, he brought it back unharmed. Looked at me and smiled and said " I still got it". 2 years later he died, wished to hell I had just given him my bike and bought another. He always sacrificed for us...