Larry Klein - Another Great Guzzi Guru Passes On

[grebmrof]

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...

[AlberCati]

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

[BMCMOTO]

Thank you AlberCati,

I was hoping to hear from someone from the DOCC.

Brian

[LeRoy]

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.

[i HONK]

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

[SISU Printer]

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............... ..

[RonK]

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

[Dick]

Sad news. RIP, Larry.

[i HONK]

Another photo of Larry at one of the Michigan Rallies. Always ready to help, I'm really going to miss him this year......



RandyP

[Rob374]

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

[LeRoy]

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.

[thestepchild]

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.

[Ambogal]

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.

[RonK]

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       

[thestepchild]

I too will confirm memorial services for you guys/gals when I hear them. I plan to be there

[BMCMOTO]

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

[BMCMOTO]

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

[RonK]

Thanks Brian. See ya there.
Am sure the Riding Gods will co-operate

[BMCMOTO]

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

[BMCMOTO]

Bump,
To keep this on front page.

Brian

[LeRoy]

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.

[BMCMOTO]

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

[RonK]

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

[motoduck]

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

[LeRoy]

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.

[thestepchild]

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.

[i HONK]

The memorial service for Larry Klein was yesterday in East Lansing, it was extremely well attended by family and friends, many rode 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