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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: swalker on June 10, 2015, 06:21:12 PM

Title: JN Symth
Post by: swalker on June 10, 2015, 06:21:12 PM
I got an email from Ken Seiving telling me JN wasn't doing well. So I contacted Don Robinson. Don said JN isn't doing well at all and asked me to let his friends know. Please add him to your prayers list.
Steve

JN's cancer has came back real bad. He is at home with Hospice. I talked with him right before the Ks rally. He wanted to attend but couldn't find a riding partner. JN has certainly been an inspiring Guzzi rider to many of us.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Arizona Wayne on June 10, 2015, 06:22:52 PM
Sorry to hear this.  Saw, spoke with JN Smyth @ the Datil Rally last August.  :bow:
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 10, 2015, 06:25:38 PM
 Dang , didn't need to here that . From one Okie to another , get well J.N. .

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on June 10, 2015, 06:40:52 PM
Best wishes to JN. He wasn't "doing well" a couple of years ago, and came back strong. Here's hoping..
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Guzzistajohn on June 10, 2015, 07:04:29 PM
That stinks! He's a good man and a good rider.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/002_zps62b94c43.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/002_zps62b94c43.jpg.html)
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 10, 2015, 07:09:09 PM
That stinks! He's a good man and a good rider.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/002_zps62b94c43.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/002_zps62b94c43.jpg.html)

 Save that pic John .

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: LaMojo on June 10, 2015, 07:18:49 PM
Wow. Hate to hear that.  Prayers go out to JN and family. 
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Guzzistajohn on June 10, 2015, 07:24:01 PM
Save that pic John .

  Dusty

Oh, it's saved don't you worry Dusty, it's a great memory for me. The day before he and I did a really quick 180-200 mile loop. The old boy can flat flog the shit out of a bike!
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 10, 2015, 07:32:20 PM
Oh, it's saved don't you worry Dusty, it's a great memory for me. The day before he and I did a really quick 180-200 mile loop. The old boy can flat flog the shit out of a bike!

 That is a great memory for us all  :thumb:

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Gliderjohn on June 10, 2015, 08:33:27 PM
Very sorry to hear that. I kind of was wondering when he didn't show for the Kansas rally. He has been my role model for "getting old" for the last couple of decades. JN is is own man and I feel privileged for knowing him. In thoughts and prayers.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Texas Turnip on June 10, 2015, 09:36:39 PM
I wish him well. He didn't start riding until he was 47 and likes to say "I've been trying to catch up ever since."

Does anyone know how many oldest rider and long distance rider awards he has?

Tex
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Arizona Wayne on June 10, 2015, 11:09:47 PM
Guessing every oldest award for at least 15 years now , and the last time I asked him about the number of long distance awards , he just shrugged and said "Hell , can't remember "  :laugh: Having early morning coffee with J.N. is always a highlight of camp outs .

 Dusty




Saw JN get 1 @ the `96 MGNOC National in Washington State!   May be the 1st time we met.  Still have the T shirt.  :grin:  In fact that time Mark Anthony from Oakland, Ca. was older there but he was in denial of his real age.  :huh:
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Arizona Wayne on June 11, 2015, 12:52:17 AM
Yeah , J.N. would have been a mere pup of about 75 in '96  :grin: How old was Mr Anthony at the time ? Geez , if I can still ride and travel to rallies at 76 everyone is gonna know how old the old fart is  :grin:

  Dusty




Mark rode his Mille FAST 'till he was `84 when cancer caught up with him.  :cry:  I told him towards the end he lived longer than I will, tho he wasn't ready to die yet, let alone ride like him at his age.   :embarrassed:  B4 the Mille he had a LM III he had to sell when it was time to slow down some.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Guzzistajohn on June 11, 2015, 05:57:14 AM
I wish him well. He didn't start riding until he was 47 and likes to say "I've been trying to catch up ever since."

Does anyone know how many oldest rider and long distance rider awards he has?

Tex


He told me he built a shed and used his oldest rider awards for roof shingles.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Guzzistajohn on June 11, 2015, 08:23:02 AM
By the way Steve, thanks for posting this. Please keep us in the loop if you get any more updates!
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Silver Goose on June 11, 2015, 09:21:17 AM
Thanks, Steve.

J.N.'s absence from the rallys will leave a large hole. Since our first meeting with J.N. I have always thought of him as a great role model. Riding alone, enjoying his time with every one he met.

Steve, hope you continue on your path to recovery and thanks again.

Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: swalker on June 11, 2015, 01:58:51 PM
Thanks, Steve.

J.N.'s absence from the rallys will leave a large hole. Since our first meeting with J.N. I have always thought of him as a great role model. Riding alone, enjoying his time with every one he met.

Steve, hope you continue on your path to recovery and thanks again.
Thank you Sir... I appreciate your thoughts.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: JJ on June 11, 2015, 04:27:20 PM
I have met and shook hands with JN several times at the New Mexico Rally in Datil and he is truly inspirational. :thumb:

From all of us in Arizona, our thoughts and prayers are with you JN!

JJC
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: rboe on June 11, 2015, 04:55:28 PM
Here's hoping he can dodge the bullet again. That said, he has had a damn fine run and I wish him the best.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: BentGoose on June 11, 2015, 07:02:24 PM
I hope he gets better, sure would miss seeing him at rallys, met JN back in '99
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Zoom Zoom on June 12, 2015, 04:13:37 AM
Sorry to hear about JN. I hope he is able to pull through. He'll be in my thoughts for sure.

John Henry
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: AMGeneral on June 13, 2015, 05:47:23 AM
That pic above was from last year at Oklahoma. After we had 9+ inches of rain over the weekend. :bow:

I always do what I call the JN loop when I am at the OK camp-out.

Go south out of Tallihena, take the Indian Hi-way through Hanobia, turn left at the hi-way, go to the next major hi-way and turn left again, now you have a choice to go on up to the scenic route or head back into town.

Great ride and the Hanobia route is less crowded than the scenic route.

Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: swalker on June 14, 2015, 08:11:33 AM
Steve Walker went to see JN. (I swiped this photo from Steve's FB page) I'm sure he won't mind.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/JN_zpsa0o42vuz.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/JN_zpsa0o42vuz.jpg.html)
Here is the picture John is talking about. No sir I don't mind John.
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301/guzzi95/JN-ME.jpg) (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/guzzi95/media/JN-ME.jpg.html)
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: swalker on June 14, 2015, 08:16:39 AM
That stinks! He's a good man and a good rider.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/002_zps62b94c43.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/002_zps62b94c43.jpg.html)

JN told me he was going to sell his Kwik Kamp... you can see it in John's picture here. If you are really interested in it, send me a message and I will hook you up with JN or his wife. It is in really nice shape and has a queen size bed. JN asked me to try and sell it for him. $1500.00. Now that's a deal...
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Arizona Wayne on June 14, 2015, 01:30:50 PM
JN told me he was going to sell his Kwik Kamp... you can see it in John's picture here. If you are really interested in it, send me a message and I will hook you up with JN or his wife. It is in really nice shape and has a queen size bed. JN asked me to try and sell it for him. $1500.00. Now that's a deal...



With ready to install on your bike extra gas tank.  :thumb:
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 15, 2015, 07:53:35 PM
 Someone with connections should contact Cycle World about doing an article on J.N. How many 94 year olds are active motorbike riders. Heck , the man deserves a spot in the AMA hall of fame  :thumb:

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Shorty on June 16, 2015, 12:31:48 AM
Great idea. 
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 16, 2015, 10:03:24 AM
Great idea.

 Does anyone here have a connection ?

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Silver Goose on June 17, 2015, 12:48:23 PM
I think the first thing to do is to record the life and times of JN Symith and to speed this along I would think that the local newspaper/TV channel would do an interview. If the story is strong enough then have the writer submit his or her manuscript. Time is not JN's friend at this point each day lost is.

Has Moto Guzzi of America been contacted? America needs some real life heros, why not start with JN?

Thanks
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 17, 2015, 12:54:10 PM
I think the first thing to do is to record the life and times of JN Symith and to speed this along I would think that the local newspaper/TV channel would do an interview. If the story is strong enough then have the writer submit his or her manuscript. Time is not JN's friend at this point each day lost is.

Has Moto Guzzi of America been contacted? America needs some real life heros, why not start with JN?

Thanks

 J.N. lives in the boonies , nearest TV station is a hundred miles away , and local newspapers pretty much have given up on human interest stories . Thinking Shorty is our man for this job .

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: swalker on June 17, 2015, 02:03:39 PM
Someone with connections should contact Cycle World about doing an article on J.N. How many 94 year olds are active motorbike riders. Heck , the man deserves a spot in the AMA hall of fame  :thumb:

  Dusty
JN is 93...
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Guzzistajohn on June 17, 2015, 02:06:32 PM
JN is 93...
[/quote

Oh, just a spring chicken then! :grin:
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: azguzzirep on June 17, 2015, 02:14:56 PM
I have met and shook hands with JN several times at the New Mexico Rally in Datil and he is truly inspirational. :thumb:

From all of us in Arizona, our thoughts and prayers are with you JN!

JJC

And this Arizonan in Germany, too!
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 17, 2015, 02:16:29 PM
JN is 93...
[/quote

Oh, just a spring chicken then! :grin:

  :laugh: He is still my hero  :thumb: So... does anyone know how to contact Peter Egan , or Clement Salvadori , or better yet , that McGregor fella that apparently works for MG and makes the occasional movie ? This story needs to be told .

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Dharma Bum on June 17, 2015, 03:31:49 PM
Didn't Gary Jenkins do a piece on JN in the MGNOC newsletter a few years back?  Perhaps someone could source that and forward it to CW or some other publication, at least as background information.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 17, 2015, 03:37:57 PM
Didn't Gary Jenkins do a piece on JN in the MGNOC newsletter a few years back?  Perhaps someone could source that and forward it to CW or some other publication, at least as background information.

 I know that Shorty did a short piece on J.N. The problem is that very few of the newsletter articles were archived . Been in communication with Shorty re this , it's gonna take someone smarter than me to help here .

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Dharma Bum on June 17, 2015, 03:51:00 PM
I don't know how to attach an article, but the article by Gary Jenkins was in the August 2002 issue of MGNOC
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: AMGeneral on June 17, 2015, 04:28:19 PM
Just wondering, is JN a veteran?

Someone could scan the mgnoc article to a sd card and send it to whom ever would like to print it. Might want to ok it with Frank first for any copy write issues.

Tell JN we are thinking about him Steve.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: swalker on June 17, 2015, 08:49:52 PM
   I just got a call from Dorothy...JN's wife. They have moved JN to the Veteran's hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma... She said if he doesn't like the care he gets there he might come back to McAlester...Keep JN in your prayers please...One thing for sure. He is in good spirits.

Steve
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: oldbike54 on June 17, 2015, 09:17:18 PM
   I just got a call from Dorothy...JN's wife. They have moved JN to the Veteran's hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma... She said if he doesn't like the care he gets there he might come back to McAlester...Keep JN in your prayers please...One thing for sure. He is in good spirits.

Steve

 Thanks Steve , I will go out and visit him . Maybe explain that if he isn't treated REALLY well a bunch of grouchy old motorbike riders will be unhappy . Seriously , the VA hospital here is first rate .

  Dusty
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: Shorty on June 18, 2015, 12:09:14 AM
Not familiar with the VA in Muskogee, but I'm a big fan of the one in Talihina. My FIL stayed there awhile while waiting for an opening in Claremore. Let's just say that Claremore is not nearly as clean, friendly or welcoming as Talihina.

 I had a mini conference with Dusty today. I have no connections in the print media anymore. If anyone has any connects with Ewan Mcgregor or the motopress (or Moto Guzzi) , now is the time to come forward. JN has a compelling story. It deserves to be told.
Title: Re: JN Symth
Post by: SmithSwede on June 23, 2015, 09:49:08 PM
any updates ?