Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: RonK on March 10, 2015, 01:04:10 PM
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It is with deepest sympathy and a torn heart that I inform the group Larry Klein owner of GT Motors in Lansing MI has passed away. Details are sketchy at this point. He was on a long awaited vacation in the Bahamas when he passed. Larry was a one of a kind guy and a dear friend. He will be truly missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Have some great pics of Larry I'd like to post, but am too pc illiterate to accomplish this feat. My apologies
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Just got a call. I am shocked. Worked with Larry a bit.
so long old friend.
DaveBlue
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Geez, I can't believe this. Larry was my Guzzi dealer when I lived in Detroit. A really nice guy. I also knew his former in-laws.
They use to join us at our monthly breakfasts. Larry would bring a demo bike to the breakfast once in a while and let everyone
take a ride. I remember he brought a 650SP when they first came out. (I think that's what it was called). Boy I liked that bike.
He'd meet us at Grattan Raceway when the racing was going on. He even showed up at one of our campouts as a passenger in
a sidecar rig and brought a case of beer with him. He use to have lots of loop stuff in his shop. I bought 2 pair of police
saddlebag mounts from him. He'd always be at mid-Ohio selling motorcycling books. His shop was just a cinder block
building. No show room to speak of and you had to find a path thru all the boxes and bike parts laying around to get to
the back service area and even parts of the counter. Although there seemed to be no logic to the mess, Larry could
find what he was looking for.
I have quite a few good memories of Larry. RIP to another dear friend.
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He built my Ambo motor. Good guy.
-AJ
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Larry was my best friend. A mentor for doing the right thing. Best man at our wedding in 2007. I met Larry in 1975 and worked with him off and on for the ensuing years. In 2001 we won an all expenses trip to Italy after winning a sales contest for new Moto Guzzis.
I got the call about his death at around 11am this day and am in shock and totally adrift at this time. I have contacted all I know to contact if you know someone who would like to know about his passing, please pass the word.
I will post here when I have any information about what's to be done.
By all means Ron please post pics if you can, I'll try as well.
Brian
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Condolences to friends and family. I know this is a poem for Pilots, but it applies to most Riders I know as well
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky
Where pilots can go when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management-type would e'ler be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
The kind of a place that a lady could go
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd 'flown west' before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he'd taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear
And say, "Welcome, my Son, I'm proud that you're here!
For this is the place where true flyers come
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won.
They've come here at last, to be safe and alone,
>From the government clerk, and the management clone;
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds, and the noise,
Where all hours are happy, and these good ol' boys
Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest!
This is Heaven, my Son. You've passed your last test!"
— Captain Michael J. Larkin, TWA (Ret.), 'Air Line Pilot' magazine, February 1995.
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So sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family and friends.
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I had the good fortune to meet Larry on my first US trip on my 'Vert in 2004. A very generous and amusing fellow. Surely he wasn't that old?
Pete
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Pete, I missed your visit by a few minutes that day, I knew you were at Jeff's but didn't know you were coming to visit us and thusly missed your visit.
Larry was born in 1943 so 71 or 72, can't remember his birth date right now.
Thank you for remembering Larry.
Brian
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Godspeed Larry........
Sam
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I am shocked and saddened by this news. I've visited Larry at his ramshackle shop many times. I'm going to miss having dinner with him at his favorite Vietnamese restaurant, his cannolis at the Michigan rally, his amazing ability to memorize part numbers for virtually any Guzzi, describing every problem to watch for when wrenching on my own bikes, having obscure parts when I needed them, and his great sense of humor. He lived his life his way and I admired him for that.
Godspeed old friend!
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I used to work shows with Larry and visited the shop regularly as I live only 10 miles away. Larry was his own Larry and will truly be missed. My heart goes out to his family friends and all who would swing by the shop.
I am truly sad for the friend lost and for losing an old school motorcycle shop.
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I still have my GT motors T-Shirt, although it is now a 'Work' shirt. I'll wear it today as I finally get on to getting this rebuilt engine back in the poxy 'Stelvio of Hate!'. It would seem appropriate.
Pete
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I remember him setting up at Barbers in the pits every year and would always stop and chat and bought a couple of his books, nice guy. RIP.
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RIP, Larry.
The Great Spirit broke the mold after he made you.
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What a guy Larry was. He didn't know me from Adam when I went to see him about parts for rebuilding my trans. He pretty much told me if I wanted to call him for help, I would have to buy a copy of Guzziology. I was kind of taken aback, as I had just met him, and I hadn't heard of the book yet. He was correct to say 'it was the best tool money could buy for a Guzzi'. He lent me his trans tools on a promise, and ran me defacto credit account for me as I the small unanticipated items that would accumulate and send me a bill after a month or so. On one visit to the store, I proudly showed him a freshly home plated item off my bike. He said "Well, it will be a pretty bike when you get it done". He was wisely right about the when part. Time will tell on the pretty part. I am aiming to get it fully 'mantled' (Larry's term for the opposite of dismantled) this summer was going to be one of my first stops. I would have guessed he was 10 years younger than the numbers bear out.
Found this like searching up GT motors showing his shop that was new in 2011. http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/gt-motors-lansing-michigan.7179/ (http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/gt-motors-lansing-michigan.7179/)
Matt
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Tried to post some of the photos taken of Larry during the many Michigan Guzzi Rally he attended. No such luck. Larry was at every one of them. He supplied a generous load oe door prizes every year. Larry had a local Lansing Italian bakery make hundreds of Canolis every year. Our first year he sweet talked Guzzi International into bringing their demo fleet to our humble rally. Heck, they dont even show bikes at the big shows here in the states anymore. I'll never be able to thank him enough for all support he gave us. Larry Klein was a special friend and will be deeply missed.
God speed my friend
Pics of Larry in action can be found on www.MiGuzziRally.co m
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<sigh> Have a good trip, Larry. You were a good one, and many will remember you.
This is getting old.... :(
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Wow, Shocked! I met Larry for the first time at the Michigan rally in 02 (bought the current Guzzioligy from him then). Then yet again talked to him at the AMA Blackhawk chapter in Iowa back in 04 or 05. He had a Stornello scrambler at the time I tried to buy from him but he wouldn't give it up. Bought a couple of Guzzi books from him. Nice guy. RIP
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(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8754/16157673334_6b12bc193d_z.jpg)
Farewell Larry.
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Good on yer Pete! That's the exclusive "vino coloro" 30th anniversary edition
Brian
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Wow met him at the first Michigan rally. Great guy, My wife ordered me a guzzi sweater from him and he told her if he couldn't ship it out in time for Christmas he'd drive it to Chicago on his own so it would be here. Not many like that.
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A trip to Larry's shop was always a TRIP. Good by old friend you will be greatly missed.
Jack
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What a great guy. I'm shocked that he was that old, I would have guessed early sixties at the most.
I know he was friends with Dave Richardson. Has he been notified?
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Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this gentleman. My father and uncle came to Michigan many years ago from Mexico and my dad ran an upholstery shop a few doors down from Larry's shop and had the privilege of knowing him. My dad always said that no matter where you were, your true friends were counted, if you're lucky on both hands, but if you're honest, on one. I know that he and my uncle considered Larry one of the most honest, real friends any many could have. May Larry rest in God's eternal splendor!
If anyone knows if there will be a service for Larry, please post it, I would like to pay my last respects to him on my dad's behalf.
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Damn I hate to hear this. Larry was always one of the guys I looked forward to listening to when he used to go the dealers meetings long ago. Such a deep thinker, with a clear concise way of speaking his mind. MGNA often didnt want to hear the things he would tell them, but he was always calm, cool and correct.
I havent spoken to him in a few years, I wish I had. :'(
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Thank you Ron, I met Larry when my gf and I rode up on my Norton in 1976. He was everything mentioned above. G/f made a comment about being 'choosy', he slipped out a small sticker that read--"Be Choosy, Buy a Guzzi". Make me very sad that he is gone.
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Sorry to hear of his passing. :( Not only will this leave a big hole in the Guzzi Brain Trust, but the MI rally will not be the same this year without Larry. :'(
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From MGM... Sadly, a lot of people, have lost a fountain of knowledge, not just Moto Guzzi folk, but all bike restorers everywhere.
Apart from the mainly Guzzi workshop, Larry was the Go To guy for any of the arcane mystic rituals of Letting The Smoke Out !
If he did not have a copy of whatever bike manual that You need NOW, he knew where he could source one, fast.
Yes he loved that Vietnamese Restaurant, and for a skinny guy, he could just eat & eat, and never seemed to gain an ounce !
Momma & I will miss him.
Enjoy Today ! Cos You Don't Know, Whats Going To Happen Tomorrow !
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I was advised on another site that the cause of death was drowning. Very sad.
R.I.P., Larry.
-Bruce
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I well recall Larry from many years ago at many Mid-Ohio Vintage Days. I can still picture him then and hear his voice now. Sorry to hear that he has moved on. Yes, I have a GT Motors t-shirt in the drawer...
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Speaking on behalf of the members of the Ducati Owner's Club of Canada - especially the old (both ways) ones, we are saddened by the death of Larry Klein.
Throughout the 1980s and '90s Larry was a huge supporter of and enthusiastic participant in the DOCC's annual track day rally at Grattan Race Track in Michigan. No one who met him - which was pretty much everyone at those rallies - will ever forget him, and the memories are always funny and warm.
Ride In Peace.
http://www.docc.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5681&p=24924#p24924 (http://www.docc.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5681&p=24924#p24924)
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Thank you AlberCati,
I was hoping to hear from someone from the DOCC.
Brian
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It's like a good friend of mine said; Larry Klein was just always supposed to be there. There to help us with parts, there with the rare book we were seeking, there with a good story or a new joke, there with the cannolis, there at the shop in Lansing, and there at the shows, rallies and meets. He wasn't supposed to be gone; not now, not soon, not ever.
I bought my 1986 Le Mans IV from Larry in '86. I had been buying Norton parts for years before that. I've bought more books than I can count from him, and other bikes, and shared several good and bad meals with him. I can't accept that it's all over.
I'm given to understand that there will be a memorial service when things are sorted. I'll post what I know as soon as I hear more definitive details.
(http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp336/Le_Roy/0315151315_zpsqsoournj.jpg) (http://s425.photobucket.com/user/Le_Roy/media/0315151315_zpsqsoournj.jpg.html)
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I'm currently traveling around the southern states and just can't stop thinking of Larry and all the good times I had with him. One thing that hit my wife is she always bought a new Guzzi book every year at the Michigan Rally for my Christmas present and the tradition has now stopped. We both loved our time with Larry and we will never stop remembering him.
Randy & Louise
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Larry was a good guy. He helped me when I purchased my first Guzzi. He was a real character and a wealth of knowledge. I have a pile of books a mile high on my shelf that I bought from him over the years. I always made a point to buy from him instead of shopping for them online or at a big box store... He will be missed... Here's a photo of Larry from the first Michigan Moto Guzzi Rally in 2003............... .. (http://www.miguzzirally.com/images/2003/6.jpg)
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Thanks for posting the pic Andy. One of the classic poses taken of Larry thru the years. A one of a kind guy. So very sad
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Sad news. RIP, Larry.
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Another photo of Larry at one of the Michigan Rallies. Always ready to help, I'm really going to miss him this year......
(http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww8/GuzziRandy/DSC01094%20600%20x%20450.jpg)
RandyP
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Hello
I am from the DOCC in Canada. Does any one here know if there will be a location to send condolences to Larry's family. I know his list of friends and aquaintances would fill a library and such a site my get overwhelmed. I met Larry in 1980 at Grattan for a DOCC Rally and made a point to see him every year for the next 27 rallies. He will be missed in more ways than can be imagined
Thanks
Rob O'Byrne
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Hello
I am from the DOCC in Canada. Does any one here know if there will be a location to send condolences to Larry's family. I know his list of friends and aquaintances would fill a library and such a site my get overwhelmed. I met Larry in 1980 at Grattan for a DOCC Rally and made a point to see him every year for the next 27 rallies. He will be missed in more ways than can be imagined
Thanks
Rob O'Byrne
There will be a memorial service in late March or early April. This would probably be the best time and way to pay one's respects, either in person or remotely. The timing depends on how long it takes to arrange all the details.
An obituary will be posted in the Lansing State Journal (lsj.com, the newspaper local to Larry's area in Michigan) in the coming days. Details on the service will be noted in the obituary. I'll post them here as soon as I learn them.
If anyone else has any additional details, I'm sure there are many people who would welcome more information.
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Just stopping in to say hi, and thanks for posting and the pics. Larry was my uncle ( back when he was married to my aunt). And the 'previous in laws' mentioned earlier were my grandparents. Grandpa loved his Guzzi. I still have a '78 robin that grandpa bought new from Larry.
If anyone has any other pics or memories, please post them.
Dug thru some of grandpas stuff this week and found some Moto Guzzi owners club stickers and patches.
Anyway, I'll be hanging out here reading for a while.
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It's nice of you to get on the board. I use to sit with your grandparents at the monthly Guzzi breakfast at the truck stop off I-23. I think that's
where it was. Can't remember the name of the nearest town. Anyway, they were great people and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time
with them. They are part of my many great memories of the Michigan Guzzi group from the 70's and 80's.
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Quote thestepchild - "If anyone has any other pics or memories, please post them".
Thanks much to Andy and Randy P for sharing pictures of Larry. The one with his lizard puppet is an all time classic. And the picture of Larry helping out a Guzzi rider in trouble (believe that was Jack H's 2000 sport) shows our typical Larry going the extra mile to help a rider in need. There are a bunch of pictures of Larry at the rally that you should be able to download located on the rally web site (www.MiGuzziRally.co m) Page 2 of the 2005 rally shows Larry and Steven Moore engaging in a closed course race on classic Guzzi's. Am sure that this is the only "race" ever allowed by Shirley at Cycle-Moore.
Regarding memorial services and the sort, seems to be a lot of conjecture posted on a number of web-sites. ("but it's the internet, so it must be true") There are a number of details to contend with given the location, local coroner, magistrates etc.. At this point Larry's son, Paul and Brian M are still dealing with issues to resolve the situation. Once details are firmed up, Brian M will post a message confirming memorial services and any issues pertinent to this tragic event. In the interim, this site provides a meaningful way to share stories of our life experiences with our friend Larry without clouding it with unsubstantiated suppositions.
Thanks
Thanks
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I too will confirm memorial services for you guys/gals when I hear them. I plan to be there
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Memorial service for Larry Klein:
Saturday, April 18 from 2:00-5:00 pm
Gorsline Runciman East Lansing chapel
1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
Brian
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Memorial service for Larry Klein:
Saturday, April 18 from 2:00-5:00 pm
Gorsline Runciman East Lansing chapel
1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
Brian
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Thanks Brian. See ya there.
Am sure the Riding Gods will co-operate
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Ron,
It will be nice to see some of the many Guzzis Larry has helped keep running and their riders gathered to send him out.
Bring em out!!!!
Brian
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Bump,
To keep this on front page.
Brian
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Here's a bit more information on the memorial service for Larry. This is paraphrased from an e-mail his son distributed:
A memorial for Larry will take place on Saturday, April 18th, from 2-5 pm at Gorsline Runciman in East Lansing (on Grand River Ave.). This will be more of a visitation than a service, with an opportunity for people to mingle, reconnect, and to say a few words should they wish. There is no need to stay for all three hours; this is merely wanted a window of opportunity, particularly for those who need to travel.
As a heads up, there will be a "memory" box in which Larry's friends are encouraged to drop one of their favorite memories of him - an adventure you shared, one of his jokes that stuck with you, something of that nature. We all have taken comfort these last couple of weeks in the many memories we have of him, and his son would love to hear some of yours, if you are willing to share.
An obituary will run sometime this week in the Lansing State Journal as well.
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Larry's obituary from the Lansing State Journal today.
Lawrence E. Klein Born in Lansing, MI, passed away on March 9, 2015 at the age of 71. He was born to Lawrence R. Klein of Negaunee, MI and Elsie R. Klein of New York City, NY. Larry enjoyed a lifelong passion for motorcycles (particularly of the Italian variety), literature (of every variety), and civil rights advocacy. He was widely respected as a Moto Guzzi motorcycle expert, and shared his knowledge openly. In 1972, Larry opened GT Motors in Lansing, Michigan, with friend and business partner Michael Gorman. After Michael left the business in 1977, Larry ran GT Motors as a solo venture, providing motorcycle repair and parts service. In recent years, Larry shifted his focus from motorcycle repair to motorcycle literature, and he collaborated with several celebrated authors to publish new titles. In addition to his work, Larry's interests included fishing, history, and foods from around the world.Larry is survived by his son, Paul R. Klein; sister Elea Mideke; nephews Rowan Mideke and Reed Mideke; and many dear friends. A memorial will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 2-5 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry's honor to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Brian
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Bump up.
Hopefully have notified all our PC adverse friends regarding the service. If you can think of anyone that may have been missed please give em a yell.
Many thanks
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Bump for Larry...Service is tomorrow.
I will be there at some point but have to sneak out of a busy day of work.
Jeff
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I'll be there as well, arriving on the same Le Mans 1000 I bought new from Larry in 1986. It promises be a beautiful day for a sad occasion.
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Thank you to everyone that posted and made it yesterday. It was nice to see such a great turnout of Larry's friends. If you didn't get to talk to Paul, he too was impressed and greatly appreciated all the support.
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The memorial service for Larry Klein was yesterday in East Lansing, it was extremely well attended by family and friends, many rode(http://) their Guzzies including me. No formal service was held, just a gathering of those who deeply felt the loss of Larry, a truly wonderful person.
RandyP
(http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww8/GuzziRandy/DSC01751%20600%20x%20450.jpg)
(http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww8/GuzziRandy/DSC01748%20600%20x%20450.jpg)
(http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww8/GuzziRandy/DSC01747%20600%20x%20450.jpg)